The Brits will be taking place in Manchester for first time and the nominees have already been confirmed
It’s almost time for one of the biggest music events of the year and in a major change to The Brit Awards for 2026, it will be taking place in Manchester for first time.
After five years hosting the show in London, 2026 will see comedian, actor and presenter Jack Whitehall lead the charge for the BRITs in Manchester, as the show moves north for the first time in its nearly 50 year history.
The BRIT Awards 2026 will take place on Saturday, February 28, and for those who haven’t bagged a ticket for the event inside Co-op Live, it will will be broadcast exclusively on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player from 8.15pm.
Click here to prioritise Manchester news in Google from the MEN
The huge music ceremony will feature performances from the likes of Harry Styles, Olivia Dean, Sombr, and ROSALIA and there will be plenty of awards to be handed out on the night – 16 to be exact -actoss categories which include Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, and Breakthrough Artist.
So who is it who is nominated this year? Here are the full list of awards and the nominees as singers Olivia Dean and Lola Young sominate.
Artist of the year
- Dave
- Fred again..
- JADE
- Lily Allen
- Little Simz
- Lola Young
- Olivia Dean
- PinkPantheress
- Sam Fender
- Self Esteem
Group of the year
- The Last Dinner Party
- Pulp
- Sleep Token
- Wet Leg
- Wolf Alice
Album of the year
- Dave – The Boy Who Played The Harp
- Lily Allen – West End Girl
- Olivia Dean – The Art of Loving
- Sam Fender – People Watching
- Wolf Alice – The Clearing
Song of the year
- Calvin Harris & Clementine Douglas – Blessings
- Chrystal & Notion – The Days (Notion Remix)
- Cynthia Erivo (feat. Ariana Grande) – Defying Gravity
- Ed Sheeran – Azizam
- Fred again.., Skepta & PlaqueBoyMax – Victory Lap
- Lewis Capaldi – Survive
- Lola Young – Messy
- Myles Smith – Nice To Meet You
- Olivia Dean – Man I Need
- Raye – Where Is My Husband!
- Sam Fender (with Olivia Dean) – Rein Me In
- Skye Newman – Family Matters
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
- Huntr/x, Ejae / Audrey Nuna/ Rei Ami
- Tame Impala
- Turnstile
International song of the year
- Alex Warren – Ordinary
- Chappell Roan – Pink Pony Club
- Disco Lines & Tinashe – No Broke Boys
- Gigi Perez – Sailor Song
- Gracie Abrams – That’s So True
- Huntr/x, Ejae / Audrey Nuna/ Rei Ami – Golden
- Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars – Die With A Smile
- Ravyn Lenae – Love Me Not
- Rosé & Bruno Mars – APT.
- Sabrina Carpenter – Manchild
- Sombr – Undressed
- Taylor Swift – The Fate of Ophelia
Breakthrough artist
- Barry Can’t Swim
- EsDeeKid
- Jim Legxacy
- Lola Young
- Skye Newman
Critics’ Choice
- Jacob Alon (winner)
- Rose Gray
- Sienna Spiro
Best alternative / rock act
- Blood Orange
- Lola Young
- Sam Fender
- Wet Leg
- Wolf Alice
Best pop act
- Jade
- Lily Allen
- Lola Young
- Olivia Dean
- Raye
Best hip-hop / rap / grime act
- Central Cee
- Dave
- Jim Legxacy
- Little Simz
- Loyle Carner
Best R&B act
- Jim Legxacy
- Kwn
- Mabel
- Sasha Keable
- Sault
Best dance act
- Calvin Harris & Clementine Douglas
- FKA twigs
- Fred again..Skepta & PlaqueBoyMax
- PinkPantheress
- Sammy Virji
The recipients of the two other awards available at the ceremony have already been decided. Noel Gallagher has bene named Songwriter of the Year award in recognition of his 30+ year career, including his work with Oasis.
Meanwhile, the BRIT Outstanding Contribution to Music Award at the 2026 ceremon has been announced as award-winning artist and producer Mark Ronson.