Academy of Country Music Awards 2025: A Betting Guide

The Academy of Country Music (ACM) Awards are one of the most prestigious honors in country music. The 60th annual ACM Awards will be held on May 8, 2025 and broadcast live on Prime Video. With powerhouse nominees like Chris Stapleton, Carrie Underwood, and Morgan Wallen, this year’s ACM Awards are shaping up to be a spectacular showdown. For fans looking to make the show even more exciting, betting on the winners can add extra thrill and financial reward.

This guide breaks down the top nominees and categories to help inform your ACM Awards betting strategy.

Major Categories

Entertainer of the Year

The top ACM prize will likely come down to a battle between 7-time nominee Morgan Wallen and defending champ Lainey Wilson. Wallen has momentum thanks to his record-breaking album Dangerous and high-grossing tour. However, Wilson is the reigning champ and Triple Crown winner, putting her in prime position to repeat. Other nominees like Luke Combs and Chris Stapleton could play spoiler.

Predicted Winner: Lainey Wilson

Female Artist of the Year

Carrie Underwood has taken home this prize a record-setting five times. Even though she’s not nominated this year, watch out for newcomer Ella Langley, who earned eight total nominations. Veterans like Wilson and Ballerini will also contend.

Predicted Winner: Ella Langley

Male Artist of the Year

Chris Stapleton owns four trophies in this category, making him the man to beat. However, Morgan Wallen’s unstoppable rise over the past two years makes him a narrow favorite here. Luke Combs and Cody Johnson will also vie for the prize.

Predicted Winner: Morgan Wallen

Song/Single of the Year

Chris Stapleton and Morgan Wallen seem poised to dominate these top song categories as both are nominated for emotional, well-received singles. Underdogs to watch include Ella Langley and Riley Green’s duet “You Look Like You Love Me.”

Predicted Winners:

• Song – “I Had Some Help”
• Single – “White Horse”

Best Bets

• Dan + Shay for Duo of the Year (odds-on favorite)
• Jelly Roll for New Male Artist (should edge out Bailey Zimmerman)
• Carrie Underwood & Cody Johnson for Music Event (fan-favorite pairing)

Noteworthy Performers

Blake Shelton, Eric Church, and Lainey Wilson have been announced as early ACM Awards performers. More big names will likely be added leading up to the big show. All three scheduled performers are also nominated in major categories, so viewers can watch them potentially win awards and captivate with epic performances in the same evening.

Placing Bets on the ACM Awards

While picking winners in major categories offers excitement, betting on unique outcomes occurring during the live show itself can add even more entertainment value. Called prop (proposition) bets, these wagers have become popular for many awards shows and live TV events. Here are some examples of fun prop bets viewers could place on the 2025 ACM Awards broadcast:

What Color Dress Will Host Reba McEntire Wear First?

As beloved icon and 16-time ACM Award winner Reba McEntire hosts the ceremony, fans can bet on fashion outcomes like what color dress she will wear when first taking the stage. Will she opt for a fiery red, her signature black, a soft pink, or another hue? The reveal of her first outfit sets the tone for her hosting duties.

Will Any Acceptance Speech Be Longer Than 2 Minutes?

When artists win big awards, they can occasionally get long-winded with emotional acceptance speeches. Bettors can wager whether any speech will exceed two minutes at this year’s ACM Awards. Acts like Luke Combs and Carrie Underwood are emotive speakers when receiving honors.

Which Song Will Be Performed Third During the Show?

Typically a dozen or more songs are performed during the ACM Awards telecast. Guessing the exact performance order adds extra viewer engagement. Savvy fans could predict that the third song played will be a hit by Miranda Lambert, Keith Urban, or another early performer.

How Many Commercial Breaks in the First Hour?

Picking the exact number of commercial breaks during the first 60 minutes offers a fun gambling opportunity. The over/under could be set at 9.5 breaks for hour one. Betting whether the final tally is over or under that line means watching ad frequency closely.

Which Artist Will Have Most Mentions on Social Media?

Tracking which nominated act generates the most online buzz on X, Facebook, etc., allows wagers based on fan engagement. A frontrunner like Carrie Underwood or breakout Ella Langley may drive the most social media mentions as audiences react to their wins and electric performances.

Here are some additional fun prop bet ideas for the 2025 ACM Awards:

• Will any artist wear a cowboy hat on stage?
• What song will have the most streams on Spotify the day after the ACMs?
• How many wardrobe changes will the host (Reba McEntire) have?
• Will anyone trip or fall during their performance or walk to the stage?
• Will any acceptance speech be bleeped out or censored?

Props like these deal with unpredictable aspects around the live production itself versus just picking award winners. The wacky nature makes prop bets more challenging to forecast but also more enjoyable to follow. Combining these creative wagers with smarter plays on stat-backed favorites creates an optimal betting experience for the 2025 Academy of Country Music Awards.

Where to Bet

While sportsbooks frequently offer odds for awards shows like the Oscars and Grammys, most do not post betting lines for country music awards. However, some reputable offshore betting sites may allow ACM wagers. Be sure to use trustworthy books for any entertainment betting. As always, only gamble responsibly.

Broadcast Details

• Date: Thursday, May 8, 2025
• Start Time: 8 p.m. ET
• Where to Watch: Prime Video (exclusive broadcast)
• Host: Reba McEntire
• Location: Ford Center at the Star (Frisco, Texas)

Take advantage of all the free picks, odds, and analysis for the 2025 ACM Awards. By combining knowledge of the nominees, using safe betting resources, and tuning into the live show on Prime Video, fans can make informed wagers and heighten their enjoyment of country music’s party of the year.