BRIT Awards 2026 Nominations Announced

BRIT season is finally upon us, as the ceremony unveils its fresh cohort of 2026 nominees.

The nominations for The BRIT Awards 2026 with Mastercard were revealed this week during an exclusive digital broadcast, Bring on the BRITs, filmed at Manchester’s Co-op Live and streamed across the BRITs’ Instagram and Facebook channels.

Hosts Charley Marlowe and Sarah Story announced nominees across 15 categories, offered first reactions from artists, and gave viewers a behind-the-scenes look at the BRITs’ new home, as the ceremony prepares to leave London for Manchester for the first time in nearly five decades.

The broadcast also featured an exclusive performance from this year’s BRITs Critics’ Choice winner, Jacob Alon.

Returning as host is award-winning comedian and writer Jack Whitehall, who will present the ceremony for the sixth time. This year’s iconic BRITs trophy, designed by internationally acclaimed, Manchester-born designer Matthew Williamson, draws inspiration from the city’s heritage, combining amber-toned resin reminiscent of honey – the city’s worker bee mascot – with a globe symbolising British music’s worldwide reach.

Fans will have a direct say in determining the winners of Song of the Year with Mastercard and International Song of the Year through a public vote conducted via WhatsApp. Voting opens at midday on Friday 30 January and closes at 6pm on Friday 13 February. Full voting details can be found at brits.co.uk/vote.

Leading the charge in this year’s nominations are British artists who have had standout years both commercially and culturally. Lola Young and Olivia Dean, both former BRIT School students recognised in the latest BPI Year in Music report as defining a British music revival, are front and centre with five nominations each.

Lola Young is up for Artist of the Year, Breakthrough Artist, Song of the Year with Mastercard, Alt/Rock Act, and Pop Act. Olivia Dean is nominated for Artist of the Year, Mastercard Album of the Year, Pop Act, and two Song of the Year with Mastercard nods for Man I Need and her collaboration with Sam Fender, Rein Me In. Dean has also been confirmed as the first performer for the 2026 ceremony.

Sam Fender, a previous Critics’ Choice winner and two-time Alt/Rock Act winner, received four nominations across Artist of the Year, Mastercard Album of the Year, Song of the Year with Mastercard, and Alt/Rock Act. Fender also took home the 2025 Mercury Prize at Newcastle’s Utilita Arena.

Several artists received three nominations each, including Dave (Artist of the Year, Mastercard Album of the Year, Hip Hop/Grime/Rap Act), Fred again.. (Artist of the Year, Song of the Year with Mastercard, Dance Act), Jim Legxacy (Breakthrough Artist, Hip Hop/Grime/Rap Act, R&B Act), Lily Allen (Artist of the Year, Mastercard Album of the Year, Pop Act), and Wolf Alice (Group of the Year, Mastercard Album of the Year, Alt/Rock Act). Other notable UK artists nominated include Calvin Harris, JADE, Ed Sheeran, Little Simz, PinkPantheress, RAYE, Skye Newman, and Wet Leg. British icons Pulp receive their first nomination since 1996 in the Group of the Year category.

International artists are also represented this year, with Cynthia Erivo earning her first BRIT Award nomination for her rendition of Wicked’s Defying Gravity, up for Song of the Year with Mastercard. KPop act Demon Hunter’s Golden is nominated for International Song of the Year, alongside HUNTR/X, EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and REI AMi for International Group.

Debut nominations in International categories include Bad Bunny, Doechii, ROSALÍA, and sombr for International Artist of the Year, and Geese and Turnstile for International Group. First-time nominees for International Song of the Year include Alex Warren, Disco Lines & Tinashe, Gigi Perez, Gracie Abrams, and Ravyn Lenae, alongside Bruno Mars for his collaborations with Lady Gaga and ROSÉ.

The BRITs Voting Academy, responsible for determining nominees and winners across major categories including Artist of the Year, Mastercard Album of the Year, and Breakthrough Artist, is composed of roughly 1,200 members spanning artists, producers, labels, retailers, publishers, managers, media, live promoters, social platforms, and DSPs. Since 2017, the Academy has been refreshed annually to remain inclusive, industry-relevant, and aligned with an artist-first approach

This year, nearly 70% of nominations feature women and non-binary artists in solo or mixed-gender acts, the highest representation yet. A quarter of Voting Academy members identify as Black, Asian, or from other ethnic minority backgrounds.

Stacey Tang, Chair of the 2026 BRIT Awards Committee and Co-President of RCA Records UK, commented: “The breadth of artists nominated reflects a thriving year in music and reaffirms that British artists continue to capture imaginations across the globe. This list demonstrates how vibrant and varied music is right now, with artists across genres and generations achieving commercial success and lasting cultural impact.”

BPI Chief Executive Dr Jo Twist OBE added: “It’s fantastic to see British talent doing so well across the board, especially the next generation of brilliant artists like Olivia Dean, Lola Young, Sam Fender, PinkPantheress, and Skye Newman. The BRIT Awards with Mastercard in Manchester will provide a compelling moment for them all to shine brightly and spotlight the diverse breadth of talent across the UK and internationally.”

Scottish singer-songwriter Jacob Alon was announced as this year’s BRITs Critics’ Choice winner. Having emerged from Edinburgh’s folk community, Alon’s debut album In Limerence was shortlisted for the 2025 Mercury Prize. The Critics’ Choice award, long a barometer of rising UK talent, has previously spotlighted artists including Dua Lipa, Adele, Florence + The Machine, James Blake, Sam Smith, and Jorja Smith. Rose Gray and SIENNA SPIRO also feature on this year’s Critics’ Choice shortlist.

In the lead-up to the ceremony, the BRITs Fringe will celebrate Manchester’s musical heritage and contemporary scene, highlighting the next generation shaping the UK’s musical future. Jack Whitehall, returning as host, released an “Ode to Manchester” via BRITs’ social channels, celebrating the city’s cultural landmarks in his signature comedic style.

The winners of The BRIT Awards 2026 will be revealed live on Saturday, 28 February, exclusively on ITV and ITVX.