In a historic break from tradition, the BRIT Awards will be held outside of London for the first time in its 46-year history. The ceremony is relocating to the musical hub of Manchester for its 2026 edition, signalling a new era for the UK's most prestigious music awards.
A New Home and a New Look
The move to Manchester represents the most significant change to the ceremony's format since its inception in 1977. The 2026 BRITs will take place at the city's new Co-op Live indoor arena, moving away from its long-standing London home at the O2 Arena, which has hosted the event since 2011.
To mark this momentous occasion, the iconic BRIT trophy is also getting a complete redesign. The award is ditching its traditional opaque design in favour of a new look crafted from transparent amber-coloured resin.
Manchester-based designer Matthew Williamson was enlisted to create the new trophy. He explained the inspiration, telling The Sun: '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.'
Behind the Decision to Relocate
Officially, organisers frame the relocation as a desire to reach new audiences across the UK and shed the ceremony's 'London-centric' reputation. However, music insiders have revealed to the Daily Mail that 'cost-cutting' is also a major factor, as 'everything is more expensive in the capital.'
A source close to the event stated: 'It's officially the end of an era. The BRIT Awards has been hosted in London since the ceremony first took place in 1977 and now for the first time ever, it will be held outside of the capital.'
The move is expected to make the event more accessible to fans in the North of England. The source added: 'The BRITs is the biggest night in the British music calendar and now it will be shared with a new audience, as fans from Manchester and the surrounding areas are more likely to attend.'
Industry Reactions and Potential Consequences
While the relocation is seen by many as a positive step for regional representation, it has raised concerns within the industry. Some fear that London-based artists and record label executives may be less inclined to make the journey north.
An insider highlighted the practical challenges: 'It's very gutting for artists who are in London, travelling to Manchester will triple the costs for people having to pay for travel and accommodation, which will no doubt go up in price.'
There are also worries that major labels like Sony Music, Warner, and Universal might scale back their famous glamorous afterparties, potentially affecting the overall glamour and attendance of the ceremony.
On a brighter note, the move has already sparked speculation about a potential performance from Manchester's own newly reformed Oasis, perfectly timed for their highly-publicised comeback and the awards' debut in their native city.
This seismic shift for the BRITs follows a similar pattern set by other major UK music awards like The Mercury Prize and The MOBO Awards, which have also moved away from a purely London-focused model, heralding a more nationally inclusive future for the British music industry.
