Brit Awards 2026: A Historic Night in Manchester with Diverse Nominees
The 2026 Brit Awards ceremony is unfolding in a groundbreaking fashion, taking place at the Co-Op Live arena in Manchester on Saturday 28 February. This marks the first time in the award show's storied history that it has been held outside London, signaling a significant shift in the British music industry's landscape.
Leading Nominees and Major Categories
Soul-pop sensation Olivia Dean and rising star Lola Young are at the forefront of this year's nominations, each receiving an impressive five nods. Both artists are contenders in the prestigious Artist of the Year category, alongside other notable names like Sam Fender, Lily Allen, and Little Simz.
Dean, aged 26, is riding a wave of success following her Grammy Award win for Best New Artist in January 2025. Her acclaimed second album, The Art of Loving, along with hit singles such as "Man I Need" and "Nice to Each Other," has propelled her into the spotlight. She is nominated twice for Song of the Year—for "Man I Need" and her collaboration with Sam Fender, "Rein Me In."
"It feels crazy to have five Brit Award nominations, it's very surreal and I'm still processing it," Dean expressed in a statement last year. "I remember watching the Brits on TV when I was younger, and having gone to Brit School and now having this full-circle moment 10 years later, attending the awards is going to feel very emotional."
Diversity and Representation Milestones
The 2026 Brit Awards showcase a remarkable achievement in diversity, with women and non-binary artists accounting for nearly 70 percent of all nominees—the highest representation in the awards' history. This reflects a broader trend towards inclusivity within the music industry.
Lily Allen continues her artistic renaissance with her comeback album, West End Girl, a brutally honest exploration of marital breakdown. The album is shortlisted for Album of the Year, while Allen herself is nominated for Artist of the Year and Best Pop Act.
In a nostalgic turn, Britpop icons Pulp make a triumphant return to the Brit Awards, receiving their first nomination in three decades for Best Group. This nod highlights the enduring legacy of the band and their influence on British music.
International and Genre Categories
The nominations this year better reflect the vast diversity in popular music globally. The International Solo Artist category features a wide array of talent, including Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny, pop artist Chappell Roan, Irish singer CMAT, pioneering Spanish musician Rosalia, and Florida rapper Doechii, alongside global giants like Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter, and Lady Gaga.
In the International Group category, buzzy New York band Geese are nominated alongside LA pop trio Haim and Hunter X, the band behind the songs from the hit Netflix film K Pop Demon Hunters.
Key Nominees List
Artist of the Year:
- Dave
- Fred Again
- JADE
- Lily Allen
- Little Simz
- Lola Young
- Olivia Dean
- PinkPantheress
- Sam Fender
- Self Esteem
Album of the Year:
- Dave – The Boy Who Played the Harp
- Lily Allen – West End Girl
- Olivia Dean – The Art of Loving
- Sam Fender – People Watching
- Wolf Alice – The Clearing
Group of the Year:
- The Last Dinner Party
- Pulp
- Sleep Token
- Wet Leg
- Wolf Alice
Breakthrough Artist:
- Barry Can't Swim
- EsDeeKid
- Jim Legxacy
- Lola Young
- Sky Newman
International Artist:
- Bad Bunny
- Chappell Roan
- CMAT
- Doechii
- Lady Gaga
- Rosalia
- Sabrina Carpenter
- Sombr
- Taylor Swift
- Tyler, the Creator
International Group:
- Geese
- Haim
- Hunter X
- Tame Impala
- Turnstile
Song of the Year (Public Vote):
- Calvin Harris and Clementine Douglas – "Blessings"
- Chrystal and Notion – "The Days (Notion Remix)"
- Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande – "Defying Gravity"
- Ed Sheeran – "Azizam"
- Fred Again, Skepta and PlaqueBoyMax – "Victory Lap"
- Lewis Capaldi – "Survive"
- Lola Young – "Messy"
- Myles Smith – "Nice to Meet You"
- Olivia Dean – "Man I Need"
- RAYE – "Where is My Husband?"
- Sam Fender and Olivia Dean – "Rein Me In"
- Skye Newman – "Family Matters"
International Song (Public Vote):
- Alex Warren – "Ordinary"
- Chappell Roan – "Pink Pony Club"
- Disco Lines x Tinashe – "No Broke Boys"
- GG Perez – "Sailor Song"
- Gracie Abrams – "That's So True"
- Hunter X – "Golden"
- Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars – "Die With a Smile"
- Raven Lenni – "Love Me Not"
- Rose x Bruno Mars – "APT"
- Sabrina Carpenter – "Manchild"
- Sombr – "Undressed"
- Taylor Swift – "The Fate of Ophelia"
Genre-Specific Categories
Alternative/Rock: Blood Orange, Lola Young, Sam Fender, Wet Leg, Wolf Alice
Pop: JADE, Lily Allen, Lola Young, Olivia Dean, RAYE
Hip-hop/Grime/Rap: Central Cee, Dave, Jim Legxacy, Little Simz, Loyle Carner
R&B: Jim Legxacy, KWN, Mabel, Sasha Keeble, Sault
Dance Act: Calvin Harris and Clementine Douglas, FKA twigs, Fred Again, Skepta and PlaqueBoyMax, PinkPantheress, Sammy Virgi
Critics Choice: Jacob Alon
Ceremony Details
The 2026 Brit Awards are being hosted by comedian Jack Whitehall at the Co-Op Live Arena in Manchester. Viewers can watch the ceremony live on ITV and ITVX, with the winners list updated in real-time as the event progresses. This historic move to Manchester not only celebrates the city's vibrant music scene but also underscores the awards' commitment to embracing change and diversity in the ever-evolving world of music.
