The first BRIT Awards held outside London delivered significant economic and social impact to Manchester, according to an independent study published by AMION Consulting on October 1.
The ceremony, held at Co-op Live in February, contributed an extra £5m in direct spend throughout the city. The wider programming, including Fringe Lab education days, an art trail, and BRITs Week gigs, brought in an added £3.45m value and created over 3,000 one-week temporary jobs for Manchester-based workers.
Social impact monetised at £11.2m
The study suggested the social impact of the event could be monetised to around £11.2m, gathered through HM Treasury evidence and Department for Culture, Media and Sport guidance. This figure takes into consideration the wellbeing impact and community engagements of the wider programme, as well as digital viewing.
The event, hosted by Jack Whitehall and featuring performances from Harry Styles, Rosalía, Sombr, Mark Ronson, Olivia Dean, and Robbie Williams, was attended by almost 25,000 people at Co-op Live and watched by millions more on TV and online.
Mayor promises 'even bigger' 2027
The BRIT Awards will return to Manchester's Co-op Live venue on Saturday, February 27, marking the ceremony's 50th anniversary. The move to Manchester was part of an initial two-year deal by organisers BPI, who hailed it as a 'bold new chapter' for the event.
Stacey Tang, Co-President of RCA Records at Sony Music UK, and Chair of the BRITs Committee, said: “Moving the BRITs to Manchester was about more than moving an awards show. It’s about shining a light on the incredible talent and creative communities across the UK, opening up opportunities, and widening participation.
“Music can connect people and shape culture, but it also creates jobs, drives investment and inspires future careers. This report captures both sides of that story - the economic impact and the human impact. That's what makes this such an exciting foundation to build on for the future.”
City leaders welcome economic boost
Bev Craig, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, called the BRIT Awards 2026 a 'massive moment for our city region', and said next year’s offering will be 'even bigger'. She said: "Manchester is known throughout the world for its incredible music scene, and bringing the BRIT Awards here for the first time was a massive moment for our city region.
"It was a recognition not only of our unmatched music heritage, but our growing reputation for putting on national and global events and making a success of them. Events like these bring millions of pounds into our economy and boost our culture and hospitality industries, but they’re also about creating opportunities and inspiring people here with major events in world-class venues right on their doorstep.
“We’ve done it once in style, and we’ll do it again next year. I’m excited to help make 2027 an even bigger year for The BRITs, celebrating our thriving music scene and showcasing the creativity, talent and ambition that make this place so special.”
Councillor Garry Bridges, Leader of Manchester City Council, added: "Manchester has a fast-growing reputation as a city that is a brilliant place to host high profile national and international events, and we're determined to make sure these events - like this year's BRIT Awards - also benefit the city and people who live here.
"In addition to producing a phenomenally successful awards show that had the eyes of the world on us, the partnership between the BRITs and Manchester went so much further - with a massive social and economic reach right across the city and into our communities, which is still being felt now.
"A music city to our core, we've got a fantastic pool of talent and expertise here in Manchester and can't wait to work with the BRITs team again as they look to widen the impact of the awards even further and make next year's BRIT Awards the most incredible yet."
