56th Annual ACM Awards to Return to Nashville In Spring 2021

The ACMs usually take place in Las Vegas, Nevada every year.

Written by Lauren Laffer
56th Annual ACM Awards to Return to Nashville In Spring 2021
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - SEPTEMBER 16: (L-R) Carrie Underwood and Thomas Rhett pose with their Entertainer of the Year awards at the 55th Academy of Country Music Awards at the Grand Ole Opry on September 16, 2020 in Nashville, Tennessee. The ACM Awards airs on September 16, 2020 with some live and some prerecorded segments. (Photo by John Shearer/ACMA2020/Getty Images for ACM)

The Academy of Country Music and dick clark productions announced early Tuesday morning (2/16) that the 56th Academy of Country Music Awards will return to Nashville, TN for the second year in a row. Scheduled for April 18, the awards will mimic last year’s delayed taping by visiting three iconic venues across Music City: the Grand Ole Opry House, the Ryman Auditorium and the Bluebird Cafe.

“We’re thrilled to return to Music City’s most iconic venues as we come together on April 18th to celebrate the best in Country Music, back in our normal awards cycle,” said Damon Whiteside, CEO of the Academy of Country Music, in a press release. “A huge thank you to the city of Nashville, Grand Ole Opry House, Ryman Auditorium and Bluebird Cafe for welcoming us back to Nashville, where we can look out for the safety of our artists while shining a spotlight on this vibrant city after a tough 2020.”

The awards will feature a slew of never-before-seen performances and collaborations. No word yet on if Keith Urban will return as host for the festivities.

With the ACMs announcement, it was revealed that its charitable arm, ACM Lifting Lives, will donate $25,000 to Music City, Inc. Foundation for their Nashville Christmas Day Explosion Relief Fund, with funds earmarked to musicians out of work due to damaged venues.

“ACM Lifting Lives is proud to support the city of Nashville, our home of the 56th ACM Awards, through a $25,000 donation to Music City, Inc foundation for the Nashville Christmas Day Explosion Relief Fund,” said Lyndsay Cruz, ACM Lifting Lives Executive Director. “The impact of the explosion was felt throughout the music community, and we hope this donation can help alleviate some of the burden on the community.”

Like in October, the ACM will adhere to strict social distancing guidelines as the coronavirus pandemic continues.

The 56th ACM Awards will air live from Nashville, TN on Sunday, April 18 (8:00-11:00 PM, live ET/delayed PT) on the CBS Television Network and will also be available to stream live and on demand on Paramount+, ViacomCBS’ upcoming global streaming service.