Paycom Center has been shortlisted for the Academy of Country Music’s Arena of the Year, a nod that underlines Oklahoma City’s rising profile as a stop for major tours and live events. The recognition matters now because it reflects growing ticket demand and could influence which acts add the city to future national tours.
The nomination is part of the ACM’s 61st Annual Industry Awards and comes after consecutive seasons of high-attendance concerts and rapid sellouts at the downtown arena. Paycom Center’s leadership says the venue’s calendar and crowd response demonstrate sustained momentum for live music in the region.
Paycom Center general manager Chris Semrau noted the venue continues to deliver “top-tier” programming and that audiences in the area have been showing up in force.
Supreme Court voting rights ruling draws response: Marilyn Luper Hildreth weighs in
Oklahoma City previews new Route 66 sculpture ahead of public debut
Promoters have responded: a summer date for country star Cody Johnson was added after the first show sold out, and a February concert by Rascal Flatts filled the house. Those single-show successes follow a busy 2025 season that included high-profile country performances and other national touring attractions.
- Notable recent bookings:
- Alan Jackson’s final Oklahoma performance (2025)
- Shows by Dwight Yoakam, Tyler Childers, Whiskey Myers and Riley Green (2025)
- Rascal Flatts drew a full crowd in February (2026)
- Upcoming 2026 dates include Jason Aldean, Brooks & Dunn, Parker McCollum and two Cody Johnson concerts
The arena’s programming is not limited to country. Comedy tours, family productions and acts from multiple genres fill the annual schedule, helping maintain steady foot traffic and a year-round event slate.
Paycom Center is one of five finalists competing for the ACM’s Arena of the Year award. The other nominees are well-known venues across the region, underscoring how competitive the market has become for landing large-scale touring dates.
- ACM Arena of the Year finalists:
- Paycom Center (Oklahoma City)
- Bridgestone Arena (Nashville)
- T-Mobile Center (Kansas City)
- Dickies Arena (Fort Worth)
- BOK Center (Tulsa)
Winners will be announced in the coming weeks, with awards to be presented at the ACM Honors ceremony in August in Nashville. For Oklahoma City, a win would not only spotlight the arena but could bolster the city’s standing on future routing decisions by major tours—potentially translating into more headline acts and economic activity around live events.
Whether the ACM selects Paycom Center or another finalist, the nomination alone signals an upward trend for live entertainment in the region and confirms the city as an increasingly attractive stop for national touring productions.
