The Academy of Country Music® announced today the nominations for the 57th Academy of Country Music Awards™, honoring country music’s biggest stars and emerging talent, and celebrating the year’s top hits, most successful collaborations, and thrilling performances. Rupp Arena in Lexington, KY, has been nominated for Arena of the Year by the Academy of Country Music®. 

 

Rupp Arena which hosted nine concerts in the Fall of 2021, including a record-setting three nights with Morgan Wallen (Dec. 3 – 5); the opening of Eric Church’s Gather Again tour (Sept. 17); For King and Country (Oct.9); Jason Aldean (Oct. 23); and Lauren Daigle (Nov. 18), is up against BOK Center in Tulsa, OK; Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, TN; Dickies Arena in Ft. Worth, TX; and Ford Center in Evansville, IN. 

 

“The country music industry has told the world what those in this region have known for a long time: we are the best arena to see country music because the artists love our venue, the fans are the best around and our staff provide a great experience from start to finish,” said OVGs Brian Sipe, General Manager of Central Bank Center. “Oak View Group is proud to manage the historic and innovative Rupp Arena and we can promise you we are just getting started.” 

 

“This recognition is a true testament to the artists, managers, promoters, and, most especially country music fans across Kentucky who make seeing a show at Rupp Arena an amazing experience,” added Sipe. “This is a tremendous honor and we’re grateful to the Academy of Country Music® for this recognition. We also congratulate the other arenas who are nominated along with us.” 

 

Rupp Arena, under management by Oak View Group Facilities, continues to lure major artists and tours to Lexington. Ahead for 2022 include Elton John (April 9), New Kids on the Block (June 26), Back Street Boys (Sept. 6) and Keith Urban (Oct.6). 

 

This year's show, on Prime Video, will make history as the first major awards show to livestream exclusively and promises to be a nonstop party, bringing legendary artists together with today’s favorites for exciting and unexpected collaborations, surprising moments fans will never forget, and world television-premiere performances. Further details including the ACM Awards performance lineup will be announced in the coming weeks. 

 

The 57th Academy of Country Music Awards, hosted by global icon Dolly Parton and co-hosted by reigning ACM New Male Artist of the Year winner Jimmie Allen and reigning ACM New Female Artist of the Year Gabby Barrett, will stream live on Prime Video and without commercial interruption, on Monday, March 7, 2022, 8:00 p.m. EST/7:00 p.m. CST/5:00 p.m. PST from Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. Tickets are currently on-sale at Ticketmaster. 

 

Streaming live on Prime Video in the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the UK, the Academy of Country Music Awards will make history as the first major awards show to livestream exclusively. 

 

The 57th Academy of Country Music Awards is produced by MRC Live & Alternative. R.A. Clark is executive producer of the 57th Academy of Country Music Awards. Damon Whiteside is executive producer for the Academy of Country Music. For more information, log onto www.ACMcountry.com or www.ACMLiftingLives.org 

 

The health and safety of the artists, fans, industry, staff and partners involved in the ACM Awards is the number one priority. All guidelines set forth by national, state and local health officials will be closely followed and implemented during the production along with additional safety measures to be instated by MRC and the Academy of Country Music. 

 

About the Academy of Country Music Awards™ 

The 57th Academy of Country Music Awards™ is dedicated to honoring and showcasing the biggest names and emerging talent in country music and will feature exciting performances, unprecedented collaborations, surprising moments and more with a show so big, only a stadium can hold it. The 57th ACM Awards are looking toward the future with a historic, first of its kind partnership with Prime Video, making history as the first major awards show to livestream exclusively, LIVE from Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Monday, March 7, 2022. Tickets for the Awards are available to purchase now at Ticketmaster. 

For more information on the 57th ACM Awards, like the Academy of Country Music on Facebook, follow the Academy on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok, all at @ACMawards, and sign up for the FREE ACM A-List for all the latest news and updates in your email inbox. 

 

About Oak View Group (OVG) 

Oak View Group (OVG) is a global sports and entertainment company founded by Tim Leiweke and Irving Azoff in 2015. OVG is focused on being a positive disruption to business as usual in the sports and live entertainment industry and currently has eight divisions across four global offices (Los Angeles, New York, London, and Philadelphia). In addition, OVG is leading the redevelopment and operations of five other 

new sports and entertainment arena construction projects, including the Climate Pledge Arena, home to the National Hockey League’s newest franchise, the Seattle Kraken, the UBS Arena in Belmont Park, NY, the new home of the NHL’s New York Islanders, Co-Op Live in Manchester, England, Enmarket Arena in Savannah, GA, and the Coachella Valley Arena in Coachella Valley, CA, the home of the newest AHL franchise. OVG Global Partnerships is also responsible for securing the naming rights for these projects, and the 2021 winner of the SBJ Sports Awards for best in Sales, Consulting, and Client Service. 

 

About Central Bank Center (CBC) Located in Lexington, Kentucky, the Lexington Center Corporation (LCC) is a not-for-profit 501c3 corporate agency of the Lexington Fayette Urban County Government established in 1974 to manage and maintain Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center, the Central Bank Center (formerly Lexington Convention Center), Triangle Park and the Lexington Opera House. One of the nation’s most storied entertainment destinations, Central Bank Center venues collectively welcome an average of 1.3 million patrons annually. Since 1976, Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center has served as the home court of the University of Kentucky Mens’ Basketball team, regularly leading the national attendance average. Rupp Arena has hosted legendary artists such as Justin Timberlake, Paul McCartney, Garth Brooks, Chris Stapleton and many more. Since 2018, Oak View Group and Live Nation Arenas have provided booking services to Rupp Arena. During the last eighteen months, Rupp Arena has broken all previous audience attendance and revenue records in its storied 43-year history. The Lexington Opera House, built in 1886, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is one of the premiere performing arts centers in the region. From its opening, the Opera House has played host to such famous stage performers W.C. Fields, The Marx Brothers, Al Jolson, Julie Harris, Steve Martin, Brian Wilson and Graham Nash. It has undergone two major renovations and remains a cultural destination in downtown Lexington. 

The Central Bank Center holds over 200 meetings, trade shows and special events annually. It is currently undergoing a transformative $275 million expansion, featuring a dramatic, light-filled architectural design. Upon completion in Spring 2022, the new Central Bank Center will offer over 200,000 SF of flexible meeting and event space. For more, visit www.centralbankcenter.com or follow us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter