The BRITs Are Coming: What To Expect in 2026
In just a few short weeks, the best in British and international music will gather for the 46th annual BRIT Awards.
For the first time in the ceremony’s history, the prestigious event, enacted by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI), will take place outside of London. The 2026 BRITs will be held at Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena, with comedian Jack Whitehall returning as host for the sixth time.
First held in 1977, the BRIT Awards recognise excellence across British and international music. Over the decades, the ceremony has been staged at several iconic London venues, including The Grosvenor Hotel (1982-1987), Alexandra Palace (1993-1995), and Earl’s Court (1996-2011). For the past 15 years, the awards have called London’s O2 Arena home. That era officially ends in 2026, following the BPI’s announcement of a two-year contract with Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena, cementing the northern city as the BRITs’ new home through 2027.
Despite a rocky opening in 2024—marked by delays and last-minute cancellations—Co-op Live has since established itself as a major force in the UK’s live music scene. The venue has hosted high-profile events such as the MTV EMAs and performances from global superstars including Bruce Springsteen and Olivia Rodrigo. With a capacity of 23,500, it is now Europe’s largest indoor arena, making it a fitting new stage for one of music’s most-watched nights.
The first hints of what to expect from the 2026 BRIT Awards arrived with a notable shift in categories. The Rising Star award returned to its original name, Critics’ Choice, while Best New Artist was reverted to British Breakthrough Act – a title last used in 2019. According to the BPI, these changes are intended to highlight the pivotal moment when emerging British artists transition from national recognition to global influence.
Before the ceremony itself, BRITs Week—running up to 28 February—offers a packed schedule of live shows designed to build anticipation. Taking place across the UK, the gigs also raise funds for War Child, a charity supporting children affected by conflict, which recently released a collaborative single with Arctic Monkeys ahead of an upcoming album. This year’s BRITs Week lineup includes performances from Olivia Dean, Myles Smith, Fatboy Slim, and more, reinforcing the event’s role as both a cultural celebration and a philanthropic effort.
When the official nominees were announced on 21 January, the list largely reflected the past year’s biggest successes. Leading the pack are Olivia Dean and Lola Young, each with five nominations, including British Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Pop Act. The recognition follows major 2025 album releases for both artists, and arrives just ahead of Dean’s highly anticipated 2026 world tour. Close behind is Sam Fender, who earned four nominations following the release of his album People Watching in 2025. A strong group of artists trail with three nominations each, including Lily Allen, Dave, Wolf Alice, Fred again.., and Jim Legxacy. Despite her breakout year, Dean has yet to take home a BRIT Award, while Young is also still chasing her first win after previous nominations in 2021 and 2025—adding an extra layer of anticipation to the night.
The 2026 nominations also feature several first-time contenders. Notably among them is Bad Bunny, who recently became the most-streamed artist globally. International categories see household names such as Taylor Swift, Chappell Roan, and Sabrina Carpenter in competition. Meanwhile, Ed Sheeran—currently the second-most nominated artist in BRIT Awards history—received just one nomination this year, for Song of the Year with Azizam. In a landmark moment for the ceremony, more than 70% of this year’s nominees identify as women or non-binary, marking a new record for the BRITs.
The awards season officially began on 20 January with the announcement of the Critics’ Choice winner: Scottish folk artist Jacob Alon, who emerged ahead of fellow nominees Sienna Spiro and Rose Gray. Gifted with a profound sense of storytelling, Alon first discovered music at nine years old and, after walking away from a career in medicine, is now seeing their creative leap pay off. In the coming weeks, additional early winners will be revealed in the Songwriter of the Year and Producer of the Year categories.
The nominations also celebrate diversity in sound and scene: genre-blurring artists like PinkPantheress, Little Simz, JADE, and Skye Newman appear across Best Pop Act, Alternative/Rock Act, and Breakthrough Artist categories, highlighting an appetite for both mainstream pop and boundary-pushing creativity.
Among the most closely watched awards on the night are British Artist of the Year and British Group of the Year. The former category includes Dave, Fred again.., JADE, Lily Allen, Little Simz, Lola Young, Olivia Dean, PinkPantheress, Sam Fender, and Self Esteem—a lineup that reflects both commercial success and critical acclaim. British Group of the Year category brings together a compelling mix of legacy and contemporary acts, from Britpop icons Pulp—earning their first nomination in three decades—to modern favourites Wolf Alice, Wet Leg, and The Last Dinner Party, with post-metal favourites Sleep Token also in contention.
International categories are equally stacked, featuring global heavyweights such as Bad Bunny, Taylor Swift, ROSALÍA, Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter, and Doechii in Artist of the Year contention, while International Song and Group accolades reflect music’s increasingly borderless landscape.
In addition to the awards themselves, the ceremony promises headline-making performances. Olivia Dean and Harry Styles are the first artists confirmed to take the stage, with more announcements expected in the lead-up to the event.
As the BRIT Awards enter a new era—defined by a new city, a refreshed focus on breakthrough talent, and a nomination list that mirrors the evolving face of the industry—the 2026 ceremony feels poised to be more than just a change of location. With Manchester as its backdrop and a roster of artists shaping the future of British music, this year’s BRITs may well signal where the industry is headed next. For fans and artists alike, the countdown has officially begun.
