BRITs Take Over Manchester Ahead Of Ceremony

Manchester, England, host city of the 2026 BRIT Awards, is putting on a citywide cultural program in the lead up to the biggest night in British music, Feb. 28, at Co-op Live.

“From a curated art trail championing North-West artists to a bespoke exhibition showcasing iconic music artwork; with new details announced for FRINGE LAB, delivered by Brighter Sound and Manchester Music City, and a number of BRITs Week for War Child, Delivered by DHL shows taking place in Manchester; alongside an in-conversation event with one of Manchester’s musical pioneers to a special zine celebrating the BRITs and the city; plus free tram travel for BRITs ticketholders whilst hundreds of students from Manchester universities have been invited into the front of stage pit to attend – this calendar of activity will transform the city into a cultural playground and place Manchester at the heart of the BRITs,” a press release sums it up.

The full program is available at brits.co.uk/manchester.

The BRITs are taking place at their new Manchester home, Co-op Live, for the first time in the award show’s history. The Feb. 28 ceremony will be broadcast live on ITV and ITVX.

Harry Styles, Mark Ronson, Olivia Dean, ROSALÍA and Wolf Alice have so far been confirmed as performers on the night, with more TBA.

Meanwhile, Mark Ronson has been announced as winner of the BRIT Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music, and Noel Gallagher as winner in the Songwriter of the Year category.

Leading the charge for this year’s nominations are Olivia Dean and Lola Young with five nominations each, closely followed by Sam Fender with four nominations following his Mercury Prize win last year. Other British artists up for awards this year include Lily Allen, Calvin Harris, JADE, Wolf Alice, Ed Sheeran, Little Simz, PinkPantheress, RAYE, Skye Newman, Wet Leg and more. British icons Pulp have received their first nomination since 1996.

International nominees include Bad Bunny, Doechii, ROSALÍA, sombr, Chappell Roan, CMAT, Sabrina Carpenter, Taylor Swift, HAIM and Tame Impala.

Comedian and writer Jack Whitehall returns to host the show, and the winners of each category will take home the iconic BRITs trophy, this year conceptualised and designed by Manchester-born designer Matthew Williamson.

Scottish singer/songwriter Jacob Alon won this year’s BRITs Critics’ Choice award.

Mastercard will continue their long-standing headline sponsorship of The BRITs for a 29th year. ITV remains the official broadcaster for the 34th year, with the awards airing on ITV, STV, ITVX and STV Player.

“These partnerships are vital in supporting and amplifying The BRITs’ vision and values, including fundraising for the awards’ charitable arm, The BRIT Trust, with a core pillar of the Trust the distribution of funds to charities which promote education and wellbeing through music, including The BRIT School and Nordoff and Robbins Music Therapy,” the press release concludes.

See: BRIT Awards Move To Manchester

Comments:

Dr Jo Twist OBE, BPI Executive, “At the heart of The BRITs is an amazing awards show that celebrates the brilliant breadth of British and international music that has resonated in British culture over the last year. But for the first time we are also pleased to be able to showcase Manchester’s rich musical heritage that has shaped generations nationally and on the global stage. This program of events will connect with Manchester’s communities and amplify The BRITs across the city region in a way that will create a lasting cultural impact.

“From The BRITs Art Trail to the Microdot Design exhibition, the FRINGE LAB and Mastercard’s Mic Drop Talks, The Rodeo BRITs special edition zine and of course the BRITs Week gigs in aid of War Child, The 2026 BRIT Awards and our valued partners will enjoy an intimate relationship with Manchester that will transform this creative powerhouse into a memorable cultural playground.”

Councillor Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, “Music, culture, and creativity are a massive part of Manchester’s DNA and together have played a significant role in the growth of the city and continue to do so – helping shape both what the city is today and what it will be tomorrow.

“We’re known across the globe for our creativity and for our brilliant music scene, which is what makes Manchester and The BRITs such a fantastic fit for each other. Hosting the first-ever BRIT Awards to take place outside London is a really big deal. It’s got the whole city buzzing, and showcases the growing success of our city and the opportunities we’re creating for people.

“And with the first-ever BRITs Fringe, plus an epic BRITs takeover of the city in the run-up to the event, creating lots of opportunities for artists and others to get involved – with music, masterclasses, murals and more – we’re in no doubt that this year’s BRITs here in Manchester will be the stuff of absolute legend, and we can’t wait to welcome everyone.”

Damaris Rex-Taylor, Managing Director, RCA/Sony Music, “The move from London to Manchester for The BRITs was never about just lifting it into another space. Manchester are leaders in arts and culture, so we wanted to respect that by amplifying what has already been built, through music, art, legacy, and people. Manchester has such an impressive breadth of creatives and leading on activations that celebrate artists such as Stanley Chow, and the wealth of talented artists on the art trail, alongside Brian Cannon and his Microdot archive, is a brilliant opportunity and a great example of displaying the plural nature of music. Working alongside Manchester City Council, The BPI, as well as my Sony colleagues Stacey Tang (Chair 2026 Brits committee) and Simon Forbes (Director of Marketing RCA), and Beth Parnell (bandwagon) on these curations has been an excellent experience, inspired by how much Manchester values art and culture.”

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