Brit Awards 2026: Ceremony Moves to Manchester as Dean and Lola Young Lead Nominees

Introduction

The Brit Awards are a cornerstone of the British music calendar, recognising achievements in British and international music since the ceremony began in 1977. Historically based in London and hosted at The O2 Arena since 2011, the awards draw attention from the music industry, media and fans across the UK. The 2026 ceremony is notable for a major change of location that could shape the event’s profile and reach.

Main details and nominees

Venue change and date

On 9 June the BPI announced a two-year deal to stage the Brit Awards at Manchester’s Co-op Live arena, meaning the 2026 and 2027 ceremonies will be held outside London for the first time in the awards’ history. The winners of The BRIT Awards 2026 will be announced live on Saturday 28 February as the show debuts at its new Manchester home.

Leading nominees and categories

According to published lists of nominees, Dean and Lola Young are the main nominees for the 2026 Brit Awards. Dean is listed with multiple entries, including songs titled “The Boy Who Played The Harp”, “The Art of Loving” and “Man I Need”. Other nominees noted in reporting include artists such as Ejae, Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami, and a song entry listed as Lines & Tinashe – “No Broke Boys”.

The awards cover a broad range of categories. Current award categories referenced for recent Brit ceremonies include Album of the Year, Artist of the Year, Producer of the Year, Rock/Alternative Act, Dance Act, Hip Hop/Grime/Rap Act, R&B Act, Pop Act, Group, New Artist, Contribution to Music, Star Award, Song of the Year and Success Award.

Conclusion and significance

The move to Manchester marks a historic departure from the Brit Awards’ London base and could increase regional engagement with the ceremony. Coverage ahead of the event highlights both optimism about energising a local music scene and concerns about broader challenges: reporting notes that many smaller venues have recently closed and job losses affected venue staff. With the winners to be revealed on 28 February and the agreement extending to 2027, attention will focus on how the new location influences the ceremony’s atmosphere, audience and industry impact in the months ahead.