"There's a man that was up for this award that I personally watched devote his life to country music," Johnson said in his acceptance speech of Combs

NEED TO KNOW

• Cody Johnson took home Entertainer of the Year at the 2026 ACM Awards
• He dedicated his award to Luke Combs in his speech on Sunday, May 17
• “There’s a man that was up for this award that I personally watched devote his life to country music,” Johnson said

Cody Johnson is a big winner!

The country singer, 38, took home the coveted Entertainer of the Year win at the 2026 ACM Awards on Sunday, May 17 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The night marked his third nomination for the title, and first win.

In his acceptance speech, Johnson dedicated his prize to fellow nominee Luke Combs, admitting to the crowd that the dedication was one they "probably didn't expect."

"There's a man that was up for this award that I personally watched devote his life to country music," he said in his acceptance speech.

"I was there the night in Australia when his wife gave birth to one of their sons. And I watched the anguish, I watched the defeat on his face for not being there, because he was across the world playing music in a sold-out arena. The next night, right after, I watched him get on stage and absolutely murder the stage, and go on stage and play country music and preach the message of country music to a bunch of Australians across the world," Johnson continued.

"So, tonight I want to dedicate my first Entertainer of the Year award to my buddy, Luke Combs," he said. "I love you, brother."

Johnson was a supporting act for Combs on his 2023 world tour. Combs, who has three kids with his wife Nicole, missed the birth of this second son, Beau, that August, due to performing in Australia.

Combs was up against Johnson for Entertainer of the Year along with Megan Moroney, Lainey Wilson, Chris Stapleton, Jelly Roll and Morgan Wallen.

Earlier in the night, Johnson took home the win for Male Artist of the Year.

He dropped his most recent album Leather in 2023, and is set to release his 10th studio album Banks of the Trinity on June 26.

The "Dirt Cheap" musician released his song "The Fall" last year, which peaked at No. 4 on Billboard's Country Airplay and No. 7 on Billboard's Hot Country charts. In January, he was featured on a remix of Brandon Lake's hit "When a Cowboy Prays."

Check out all of PEOPLE's full ACM Awards coverage here.

The 61st Academy of Country Music Awards was hosted by Shania Twain, who said in a statement that she was "thrilled" to be hosting in Las Vegas, "a place that feels like home."

“It's such an honor to be part of this incredible night celebrating Country Music's biggest stars, especially with so many talented women leading nominations this year," she said ahead of the event. "I can't wait to welcome all of the fans and artists out for this unforgettable night."

Performers at this year's ceremony included Lambert, Johnson, Wilson, Kacey Musgraves, Little Big Town and Riley Green. Musgraves notably performed a new song from her upcoming Middle of Nowhere album, while Wilson premiered "Can't Sit Still" and Green delivered a rendition of the track "Change My Mind."

The 2026 ACMs took place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas at 8 p.m. ET on Sunday, May 17. Viewers can watch them live on Prime Video.

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