The BRIT Awards 2026: Everything we know so far

Following the 2025 BRIT Awards with Mastercard, which took place in March this year, bosses have now announced the prestigious music ceremony is on the move for 2026, set to take place outside of London for the first time in history.

Moving to Manchester's Co-op Live, the all-important date has now been announced, along with the Critics' Choice nominees, so here's all of the details we know so far about The BRIT Awards 2026, including the fancy new trophy!

When are The BRIT Awards 2026?

It's now been confirmed the 2026 BRIT Awards will take place on Saturday 28th February.

Where will they be held?

The BRIT Awards have been held in London since they first started 48 years ago, with the show taking place at The 02 Arena since 2011. However, that's all set to change for the next two years, with The BRIT Awards moving to Manchester's Co-op Live.

Jason Iley MBE, Chairman and CEO, Sony Music UK and Ireland said: “This is a very exciting time for The BRIT Awards. Moving to Manchester, the home of some of the most iconic and defining artists of our lifetime, will invigorate the show and build on the BRITs legacy of celebrating and reinvesting in world-class music.

"Hosting the show in Manchester, with its vibrant cultural history, perfectly captures the spirit and energy of the BRIT Awards. I can’t wait to see the show at the amazing state-of-the art Co-op Live venue.”

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester said: “For The BRIT Awards to move out of London is a massive coup for Greater Manchester. After 48 years, it is great that this prestigious global event is about to arrive in the UK capital of music and culture.

"Greater Manchester has an unparalleled music heritage known around the world, and this summer will play host to some of the biggest gigs on the planet. That was only made possible by our strong commitment to new talent and giving emerging artists the opportunities to make their name. We thank our friends at the BPI for choosing Manchester and we will pull out all the stops to show they made the right decision.

"Celebrating the BRIT Awards right here in the home of 24 hour party people is the next chapter in its story and you can be sure that we will help them do it in style.”

Can I get tickets?

Tickets for the event will be released at a later date. You can sign up to hear news first about tickets right here.

The BRIT Awards 2026 trophy

The 2026 BRIT Award was unveiled on Wednesday 19th November! British designer Matthew Williamson, who was born in Manchester, designed the 2026 award.

On what designing this year's trophy means to him, Matthew says: “Following in the footsteps of great designers and artists before me, it’s an honour and a career highlight to design the 2026 BRITs trophy. The BRITs is an event I've watched since childhood, and I’m still so immersed in it to this day. I've always looked at it in awe and wonder, so to even be offered this opportunity feels like a real milestone moment.”

On his inspiration for this year’s trophy, Matthew says: “I wanted to create something timeless and stylish that each recipient would feel proud to own and display. Whilst colour and pattern may have been a more predictable route for me, I wanted to pause, take stock and offer something truly personal to me. Above all, I wanted to ensure it connected to Manchester, the BRITs’ new location and my hometown.”

“Cast in a chic amber toned resin, the statue resembles the golden honey of a worker bee, Manchester‘s logo symbolising the city's role during the Industrial Revolution and so much more. This spirit to work hard and be part of the essential fabric of the nation still resonates with me today. The BRITs also represents the global reach of British music and so I designed the statue to sit on top of a globe. I imagine each deserving winner will feel on top of the world as they receive their award and I cannot wait to see the trophy I designed being part of the celebrations on the night.”

How can I watch the ceremony?

The BRIT Awards 2026 will air exclusively on ITVX and STV Player.

What are the award categories in 2026?

No categories have been announced for the 2026 ceremony just yet. For the 2025 ceremony earlier this year, 16 award categories were included.

Who has been nominated?

Nominations for the main ceremony are set to be announced at a later date. However, the Critics' Choice nominees have been announced as Jacob Alon, Rose Gray and SIENNA SPIRO.

Who is hosting?

There's been no word on who will host The BRIT Awards 2026, but fans will be hoping comedian Jack Whitehall will return.

Who is performing?

No performer details have been announced just yet. Check out all of the performances from 2025 right here.

Who won BRITs Critics' Choice Award 2026?

The Critics' Choice winner for 2026 hasn't yet been announced, however the nominees have been revealed as Jacob Alon, Rose Gray and SIENNA SPIRO.

How to vote

Voting details for 2026 haven't been announced.

Who won a BRIT Award in 2025?

Charli xcx was the big winner on the night, picking up a huge five awards! JADE also won her first ever solo BRIT, taking home an award for Pop Act, whilst International artist Chappell Roan won two awards.

After breaking records in 2024, RAYE added another BRIT Award to her collection, whilst Sabrina Carpenter was awarded with the Global Success Award.

Check out the full list of winners below:

The BRIT Awards will return in February 2026.

Now read:

The BRIT Awards to leave London for the first time and move to Manchester

The most memorable BRIT Award performances ever

Famous artists who started their careers at BRIT school

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