Excitement is building for the Brit Awards 2026, which will take place on Saturday, 28 February 2026. Jack Whitehall returns as host for the sixth year running, but this year's event is different in a major way. This year, Manchester's Co-op Live arena will put on the event, marking the first time it's held outside London. What else is there to know about the Brit Awards ahead of the ceremony?
The Brit Awards 2026 Quick Facts
- 🎶 The Brit Awards, launched in 1977, honors artists across 17 categories, celebrating the best in British and international music.
- 🎵 The British Phonographic Industry (BPI) coordinates and manages this event, down to counting the votes and declaring category winners.
- 🤩 Viewers in the arena will enjoy performances from top artists and award winners.
- 📺 Viewers at home can stream the event live on ITV and ITVX.
- 🌐 International viewers can enjoy the show on The Brits' Instagram and Facebook pages.
📆 Brit Awards 2026 Date and Other Important Information
The Brit Awards are the UK's most prestigious annual music awards ceremony, often regarded as the British equivalent of the American Grammy Awards. Organized by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI), the ceremony has been held since 1977 and celebrates outstanding achievements in British and international music. The event is known for its memorable live performances, iconic moments, and occasionally controversial speeches, and it remains one of the most-watched music events in the UK each year.
In a moment, we'll cover how to buy tickets and tell you more about the ceremony's fabulous host. Just now, though, it's time for an important observation.
From Oasis, through Morrisey and beyond The Chemical Brothers, Manchester has long been a hotbed of musical creativity.
Considering Manchester's musical legacy - yes, even THAT dreadful day that made us all cry, 😭 it's fitting that the UK's biggest night in music should take place there. Not that anything's wrong with London, but it gets to host the BAFTA Awards and lots of other events, so it's only fair that Manchester gets to celebrate our music. 🎶
🎫 Brit Awards 2026 Tickets
Regrettably, the general admission tickets have already sold out. However, you can choose from a few premium admission packages still available.
Sincura Group
- access to artist floor tables
- luxury suites
- after-parties
- grants red carpet access
Priceless (Mastercard)
- level 1 seats
- pre-show dinner
- payable only with Mastercard
Seat Unique
- pre-show access
- prime seating
- exclusive experience
You may yet score a pair of tickets from your favorite ticket seller, so don't forget to check with them first. Just make sure you don't get scalped! There's nothing more insulting than someone trying to take advantage of your love of music. 😡
🎩 The Brit Awards 2026 Host
Who doesn't love a bit of Jack Whitehall? He's been gracing tv screens for nearly 20 years, both in films and on television. And on stage, too. He is a stand-up comedian, after all. Let's get to know our dynamic host a little better, shall we?
Much of the hype surrounding Jack (besides hosting the Brit Awards!) revolves around his Netflix show, Travels With My Father (2017-19). The premise sounds bland: a father and son discussing their travels. But they do so with so much warmth and humor that viewers can't help getting drawn in. This series showcases the warmth and sensitivity Matthew is so famous for.
🤩 Special Events: Brits Week 2026
As though they needed to drum up more excitement, the BPI is hosting a range of musical activities across England (and a bit in Scotland). Proceeds from this initiative, called Brits Week, will go to support the charity War Child, an organization in support of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
If you happened to catch the 2026 Grammys in Los Angeles earlier this month, you might have noticed how political the artists were. Perhaps, thanks to Brits Week's efforts, you could say their country's music industry is a bit political, too. But nowhere near as rabidly as the US! You too can lend your support (and make your political statement!) by attending one of the events listed above.
🎙The Brit Awards 2026 Nominees
Of all the events that fill the 2026 Awards Season calendar, the Brit Awards boasts the lowest number of award categories: 17. In fact, that's the same number that the BAFTA 2026 Game Awards recognizes.
But don't be fooled by that relatively small number. This will be an action-packed event, complete with tributes, acceptance speeches, and live performances (more on those later). Several artists have received more than one nomination1; Olivia Dean and Lola Young lead the pack with five nominations apiece. The rest of the nods include:
You might have noticed the absence of any international talent. It's not that they won't be there or that they're not nominated for any awards. It's just that... Well, this is the Brit Awards; the international aspect is secondary. So, how do all these nominations shake out across the categories?
| 📜Category | 🏆Nominees | 📜Category | 🏆Nominees |
|---|---|---|---|
| British Album of the Year | West End Girl - Lily Allen The Art of Loving - Olivia Dean The Boy Who Played the Harp - Dave People Watching - Sam Fender The Clearing - Wolf Alice | British Artist of the Year | Fred Again JADE Lily Allen Dave Little Simz Lola Young Olivia Dean Sam Fender Self Esteem PinkPantheress |
| British Group | The Last Dinner Party Pulp Sleep Token Wet Leg Wolf Alice | British Breakthrough Artist | Barry Can't Swim EsDeeKid Jim Legxacy Lola Young Skye Newman |
| International Artist of the Year | Bad Bunny Chappell Roan CMAT Doechii Lady Gaga Rosalía Sabrina Carpenter Sombr Taylor Swift Tyler, the Creator | International Group of the Year | Geese Haim Tame Impala HUNTR/X Turnstile |
| Best International Song | Ordinary - Alex Warren Pink Pony Club - Chappell Roan No Broke Boys - Disco Lines & Tinashe Sailor Song - Gigi Perez That's So True - Gracie Abrams Golden - HUNTR/X Die with a Smile - Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars Love Me Not - Ravyn Lenae APT. - Rosé & Bruno Mars Manchild - Sabrina Carpenter Undressed - Sombr The Fate of Ophelia - Taylor Swift | Song of the Year | Blessings" – Calvin Harris & Clementine Douglas The Days (Notion Remix) - Chrystal and Notion Defying Gravity - Cynthia Erivo & Ariana Grande Azizam - Ed Sheeran Victory Lap - Fred Again, Skepta, & PlaqueBoyMax Survive - Lewis Capaldi Messy - Lola Young Nice to Meet You - Myles Smith Man I Need - Olivia Dean Where Is My Husband! -Raye Rein Me In - Sam Fender and Olivia Dean Family Matters - Skye Newman |
| Best Pop Act | JADE Lily Allen Lola Young Olivia Dean Raye | Best Alternative/Rock Act | Blood Orange Lola Young Sam Fender Wet Leg Wolf Alice |
| Best R&B Act<strong> | Jim Legxacy Kwn Mabel Sasha Keable Sault | Best Hip Hop/Grime/Rap Act | Central Cee Dave Jim Legxacy Little Simz Loyle Carner |
| Best Dance Act | Calvin Harris & Clementine Douglas FKA Twigs Fred Again, Skepta, & PlaqueBoyMax PinkPantheress Sammy Virji | Critics' Choice | Jacob Alon (won!) Rose Gray Sienna Spiro |
| Songwriter of the Year | Noel Gallagher (won!) | Outstanding Contribution to Music | Mark Ronson (won!) |
But wait! This chart details only 16 categories. That's because the 17th category, Producer of the Year, hasn't been decided yet. Or, the voting results haven't yet been published.
Of all the Awards Season 2026 events our guide details, the Brit Awards 2026 is the most 'efficient'. The planners made sure all the important categories would get their due, while leaving aside 'similar but not quite' categories. That gives them more time to plan for live performances! 🤩
💃 The Brit Awards 2026 Performances
Olivia Dean's Man I Need is one of the most hotly anticipated tracks listed on this year's performance bill. But the BPI isn't stingy; it has prepared a whole lineup of artists for our enjoyment.
Harry Styles has been out of sight (but never out of mind!) for the past couple of years, working on new music. With the new album just released, he's now ready to re-enter the fray, starting with the Brit Awards stage4! As a bonus, this is the first time he will perform at the Co-op Live.
EJAE, Audrey Nuna & Rei Ami will be the first K-Pop act to grace the Brit Awards stage.
They are famous as HUNTR/X for K-Pop Demon Hunters' theme song, Golden. You might know that both the film and the song won big at this year's Los Angeles awards ceremony, the Golden Globes. Rumor has it that they will perform to pre-recorded vocals - a pity, but does it matter as long as the show is great?
Mark Ronson, this year's Brit Awards recipient in the Outstanding Contribution to Music category, will don his performer's hat, too. Though he's more apt to give other singers the stage, he's quite capable on vocals. Let's see what he delivers on the big night.
And these are just the first few artists to confirm their performances! The list goes on and on, including international stars like Taylor Swift and Lady Gaga, alongside the best of the British music scene. All that, and Jack Whitehall, too? 😍
🏆 To Close: A Word About The Brit Awards 2026 Trophy
Did you know that the statuettes presenters will hand out at the Oscars celebration next month feature the same design they've had for nearly a century? In much the same way, our Brit Awards trophy hewed to tradition until we decided to chuck tradition out in favor of innovation1.
Starting in 2011, BPI abandoned the traditional Britannia statuette design, opting for a fresh take on the figurine each year.
For the Brit Awards 2026, the statuette redesign honor falls to native Mancunian Matthew Williamson3. He used an amber-toned resin to create his design. His intent was to capture the rich, golden hue of worker bees' honey. As we all know, the worker bee is Manchester's mascot, making its design an elegant tribute to the city's legacy.
📖 Where to Find Out More About Brit Awards 2026
- Brit Awards. Nominations Are Coming! 2026, www.brits.co.uk/news/2026/nominations-are-coming/. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
- Phillip, Riann. “The Brit Awards 2026: The Nominees, Performers, Presenters and More.” British Vogue, 11 May 2021, www.vogue.co.uk/arts-and-lifestyle/article/brit-awards-2026. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
- Beaumont-Thomas, Ben. “New Sensation: Tracey Emin’s Brit Awards Statue Unveiled.” The Guardian, The Guardian, 3 Dec. 2014, www.theguardian.com/music/2014/dec/03/tracey-emin-brit-awards-statue. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
- Magliola, Anna Sky. “The BRIT Awards 2026: Who Is Performing?” Hits Radio, 6 Feb. 2026, www.hellorayo.co.uk/hits-radio/entertainment/music/the-brit-awards-2026-performers. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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