The Mercury Prize returns to Newcastle's Utilita Arena on October 22, 2026, with tickets still available from AXS priced from £48. RAYE, Suede, Olivia Dean, and JADE are among the confirmed performers at the ceremony.
Star-Studded Line-Up Announced for Newcastle Ceremony
The event marks the Mercury Prize's second consecutive year in Newcastle, following its debut in the city 12 months ago when it moved outside London for the first time in its history. The 2025 ceremony featured performances from Wolf Alice, FKA Twigs, Jacob Alon, and eventual winner Sam Fender, who performed People Watching before his album of the same name took home the Album of the Year prize.
This year's shortlist includes Olivia Dean's The Art of Loving, JADE's That's Showbiz Baby, Suede's comeback album Antidepressants, and RAYE's This Music May Contain Hope. Other acts in the running include Newcastle jazz collective Knats, Florence and the Machine, and Nia Archives.
Ticket Availability and Accessibility Options
The line-up for the ceremony will include all but two of the shortlisted acts, with Sir Paul McCartney and Dave the only ones set to miss the event. With so many big names taking the stage, ticket demand has spiked, but tickets remain on sale from AXS, priced from £48. Wheelchair and accessible tickets are also available.
Judges to Decide Winner on the Night
The winner of the 2026 Mercury Prize will be decided on the night by a group of judges including musician Jamie Cullum and Radio 1 presenter Sian Eleri, who handed the award to Sam Fender last year.
