The 2026 Brit Awards are set to make history this weekend as the prestigious music ceremony moves outside London for the first time in its 49-year history. The star-studded event will take place on Saturday, February 28, at Manchester’s Co-op Live arena, marking a significant shift for one of the United Kingdom’s biggest music nights.
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Comedian Jack Whitehall will return as host for the sixth time, bringing his familiar humour to the ceremony. Meanwhile, Charley Marlowe and Tyler West will cover the red carpet, capturing celebrity arrivals and fan reactions ahead of the main event.
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This year’s awards are highly competitive, with Olivia Dean and Lola Young leading the nominations with five each, while Sam Fender follows closely with four nominations. Many industry observers believe Olivia Dean could emerge as one of the night’s biggest winners, following a remarkable year in her career.
The 26-year-old London singer recently achieved international recognition by winning Best New Artist at the Grammy Awards, becoming the first British artist since Dua Lipa in 2019 to secure one of the major Grammy honours. She also made chart history by simultaneously achieving a UK number one album and single. Her popular tracks, including “Man I Need,” “So Easy (To Fall In Love),” and “Nice To Each Other,” have strengthened her position as one of Britain’s leading music stars.
In addition to competitive categories, several artists will receive special honours. Ozzy Osbourne will be presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award, while Noel Gallagher will receive Songwriter of the Year. Mark Ronson will be honoured for Outstanding Contribution to Music, and PinkPantheress will make history as the first female Producer of the Year recipient.
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The ceremony will also feature live performances from major artists, including Olivia Dean, Harry Styles, RAYE, Wolf Alice, Sombr, and Alex Warren, promising an unforgettable night for music fans.