The nominations for this year's BRIT Awards have been unveiled, showcasing an unprecedented level of recognition for female and non-binary performers in what is being hailed as a landmark moment for diversity in the music industry. The ceremony itself is making history by relocating to Manchester for the first time, breaking a long-standing tradition of being hosted in London.
Record-Breaking Female Representation
This year's nominations list features a remarkable 70 per cent of nods going to female or non-binary artists, which is believed to be the highest proportion ever recorded in the awards' history. This represents a dramatic turnaround from the controversy in 2023, when no women were shortlisted for the Best Artist prize following the removal of gendered categories.
Leading Contenders
Olivia Dean and Lola Young emerge as the frontrunners, each securing five nominations across multiple categories. Olivia Dean is competing for Best Artist, Best Pop Act, Album of the Year, and has two entries for Song of the Year. Meanwhile, Lola Young is nominated for Best Artist, Best Alternative/Rock Act, Best Pop Act, Breakthrough Artist, and Song of the Year.
Sam Fender follows closely with four nominations, including Best Song, Best Artist, Best Album, and Best Alternative/Rock Act. Lily Allen has also received three nominations for Best Artist, Best Album, and Best Pop Act.
Historic Venue Change
The 2026 BRIT Awards will take place on February 28th at Manchester's Co-op Live arena, the UK's largest indoor venue. This marks the first time in 45 ceremonies that the awards have moved away from London, where they have been held at the O2 Arena since 2011. Previous London venues included Earl's Court, Alexandra Palace, and the Royal Albert Hall.
Manchester's Music Celebration
Andy Burnham, Metro Mayor of Greater Manchester, described the move as "a massive coup" for the region. He emphasised Greater Manchester's status as the UK capital of music and culture, highlighting its unparalleled music heritage and commitment to nurturing new talent. The ceremony is set to be the first of three years under Sony Music UK's stewardship, which orchestrated the relocation to Manchester.
Broader Industry Shift
This move to Manchester paves the way for the annual ceremony to potentially rotate to other parts of the UK in future years, reflecting a broader trend in the music industry. Notably, the Mercury Music Prize is also moving out of London for the first time, with its October ceremony scheduled to take place in Newcastle.
Additional Notable Nominations
Other prominent artists receiving nominations include Wolf Alice, who are up for Best Artist, Best Group, and Best Album, and Dave, who is nominated for Best Album, Best Artist, and Best Hip-Hop Grime Act. The diverse range of nominees across genres underscores the evolving landscape of British music.
The combination of record-breaking female representation and the historic move to Manchester signals a transformative period for the BRIT Awards, celebrating both artistic excellence and geographical diversity within the UK music scene.
