West Michigan’s Biggest Venue Just Scored a Huge Country Music Honor

You don’t have to book a trip to Nashville to catch an incredible country concert. In fact, if you’re early enough to the party, you can usually catch some of the biggest artists on the planet as they stop in West Michigan.

And now, Grand Rapids’ Van Andel Arena is proving it’s one of the best places in the country for live country music. The arena has just been nominated for Arena of the Year at the 60th Academy of Country Music (ACM) Awards, placing it among the top venues in the nation for country performances.

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This year’s ACM Awards, hosted by Reba McEntire, will stream live on Prime Video on May 8, and while all eyes will be on stars like Cody Johnson, Lainey Wilson, and Morgan Wallen, it’s pretty amazing that West Michigan residents have something extra to root for with our own Van Andel Arena in the mix.

Van Andel has been a staple for country music fans in Michigan, consistently bringing in chart-topping artists and sold-out crowds. Many of this year’s ACM nominees—including Morgan Wallen, Cody Johnson, and Kelsea Ballerini have played the venue in recent years.

And even better, another nominee Lainey Wilson will at Van Andel later this year, proving that Van Andel has become a must-stop destination for country’s biggest names as they travel between Chicago and Detroit.

Competing against massive venues in Texas, Massachusetts, and Tennessee, Van Andel’s nomination highlights West Michigan’s thriving Country music scene and the arena’s reputation as one of the best places in the country to see a show, even though we're far from the south where it's expected.

So while Nashville might be the heart of country music, Grand Rapids is proving it is a hub for country music lovers, as well as those who are moving their way up the ranks in Nashville. And hopefully, come May 8, Van Andel Arena will bring home the win they rightfully deserve.