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The Academy of Country Music is bringing its awards week back to Las Vegas, and fans should act fast: tickets for the associated concerts and the awards show itself move to general sale on Friday, Feb. 27. Beyond the main broadcast, several ticketed events — including a charity concert and a beach-side showcase of rising stars — give attendees multiple ways to join the festivities the week of May 15–17.
ACM-organized events will cluster around the weekend of the 61st awards show, which returns to Las Vegas for the first time since 2022. Organizers are offering an early presale to subscribers of the ACM A-List email for two days before the public on-sale, making now the moment for fans to decide whether to attend in person.
What’s planned during ACM week
Three headline events are already confirmed: a charity fundraiser at Topgolf, a beach concert featuring up-and-coming country acts, and the awards ceremony itself at an iconic Vegas venue. Prices vary by event and ticket tier, and each event carries its own purpose and vibe.
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- May 15 — ACM Lifting Lives Country on the Green at Topgolf Las Vegas: Riley Green will headline a compact evening set on the Topgolf green, with proceeds supporting ACM Lifting Lives. Tickets are listed at about $200 for VIP Early Access and $150 for general admission.
- May 16 — ACM Next Wave: Country’s Beach Bash at Mandalay Bay Beach & Wave Pool: A showcase of rising country artists in a beach-and-wave-pool setting. Ticket tiers start near $150 for VIP and $75 for general admission.
- May 17 — 61st ACM Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena: The main awards ceremony will be staged at the MGM Grand Garden Arena and streamed live on Prime Video.
The ACM says the schedule is meant to recapture the “Las Vegas” energy that has long been associated with its awards week, and organizers are promising additional announcements about hosts and performers in the coming weeks. Nominee lists are expected in April.
Charity and recent relief efforts
The Topgolf benefit supports the Academy’s philanthropic arm, which has been active in emergency relief. To date, the organization has distributed roughly $5.8 million in emergency assistance and is currently issuing grants to country music professionals affected by the recent severe winter storm in Nashville.
That charitable angle gives the pre-awards shows more than just entertainment value: they are a direct channel for fans to support industry workers and artists facing hardship.
How to buy tickets
Subscribers to the free ACM A-List newsletter will receive a presale code and access beginning at 1 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Feb. 25. Remaining tickets will be released to the general public at 1 p.m. ET on Friday, Feb. 27 via AXS.com. Fans who want to attend should sign up for the A-List ahead of the presale window and be prepared to purchase quickly — these events often sell out.
For viewers who can’t travel, the awards show will again be available via streaming, marking the fifth consecutive year the ceremony is broadcast on Prime Video but the first time it’s staged at the MGM Grand Garden Arena rather than the previously used venues in Las Vegas and Frisco, Texas.
Expect more details — including the official host and performer lineup — in the weeks ahead. For now, the combination of live concerts, a high-profile awards telecast and a visible philanthropic effort makes this year’s ACM week one of the more consequential moments for country-music fans planning spring travel.
