With the 2025 ACM Awards kicking off on Thursday, country stars like Chris Stapleton, Jelly Roll, Kelsea Ballerini, Lainey Wilson, Luke Combs, Morgan Wallen, and Cody Johnson hoped to snag the Entertainer of the Year Award. Hosted by icon Reba McEntire, the singer will mark her 18th time helming the event. She first co-hosted back in 1986 with John Schneider and Mac Davis. Promising to be a night full of memorable performances and historic milestones, here is the full list of performers, presenters, and special collaborations.
Videos by American Songwriter
No matter the event, the opening segment is crucial to the success of a ceremony like the ACM Awards. And making sure that people would remember this year’s opening act, the ACM Award will present 12 straight minutes of music. Wanting to honor the rich legacy of country music, the production brought in several hit singers to open the show.
2025 ACM Awards Opening Segment Performers
Sugarland
Reba McEntire
Wynonna Judd
Clint Black
Dan + Shay
LeAnn Rimes
Performers
While a strong list of performers, again – that is just the opening segment. The rest of the night will feature some of the biggest names in country music, like Alan Jackson.
Blake Shelton
Brothers Osborne
Chris Stapleton
Ella Langley
Eric Church
Kelsea Ballerini
Lainey Wilson
Megan Moroney
Miranda Lambert
Zach Top
Alan Jackson
Collaborations
Although both Jelly Roll and Johnson are up for Entertainer of the Year, neither wanted to skip out on performing on stage.
Backstreet Boys & Rascal Flatts
Brooks & Dunn with Cody Johnson
Jelly Roll & Shaboozey
Presenters
Besides the massive list of performances, the ACM Awards remembered to hand out a few accolades. And helping out:
Clint Black
Crystal Gayle
ERNEST
Gabby Barrett
Gretchen Wilson
Lee Ann Womack
Jordan Davis
Lionel Richie
Little Big Town
Martina McBride
Parker McCollum
Riley Green
Rita Wilson
Sara Evans
Sugarland
The Oak Ridge Boys
Wynonna Judd
Amber Anderson & Kelly Sutton
Blake Shelton
Carly Pearce
Chase Elliott
Special Tribute
Given Keith Urban’s massive career in country music, the ACM Awards will celebrate the singer with the Triple Crown Award. Achieved by winning awards for New Artist of the Year, Entertainer of the Year, and Artist of the Year, the tribute will feature more than just Urban with covers by…
Megan Moroney
Brothers Osborne
Chris Stapleton
With the schedule released, don’t miss the 2025 ACM Awards, airing on Prime Video and Twitch at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT on Thursday, May 8th.
(Photo by Leah Puttkammer/FilmMagic)
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