Breaking: Manchester to host BRIT Awards 2026 for the first time

The BRIT Awards are coming to Manchester for the first time. 

In a massive shakeup, the event is taking over the Co‑op Live arena for the 2026 and 2027 ceremonies. 

The BRIT Awards come to Manchester

After nearly five decades in the capital, the BRIT Awards with Mastercard will be relocating from London to Manchester.

Since it began in 1977, the iconic music awards have been a fixture in London, beginning at the Wembley Conference Centre and later moving through a series of venues such as the Royal Albert Hall and Hammersmith Apollo.

So why the move? This shift comes as part of a new three‑year partnership led by Sony Music UK, under the guidance of CEO Jason Iley.

He said moving to Manchester “will invigorate the show and build on the BRITs legacy of celebrating and reinvesting in world‑class music,” surrounded by the city’s rich musical heritage.

Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham hailed the development as “a massive coup for Greater Manchester,” highlighting the city’s global reputation for music and its commitment to nurturing emerging talent.

The event will continue to showcase BRIT Trust-supported initiatives, including music education and wellbeing programmes, and features long-term headline sponsorship by Mastercard in its 28th year.

Manchester was acknowledged at Brit Awards 2018 when Ariana Grande was replaced by Liam Gallagher to play a set honouring the victims of the terror attack the year before. 

Manchester Music at the BRIT Awards

Manchester boasts a rich history with the Brit Awards. Take That, originally formed in the city, has taken home eight awards.

Several Manchester-based acts have claimed the title of best group, including Simply Red, Elbow, and The 1975. M People were recognised as best dance act in 1995, while The Chemical Brothers, who met while studying at the University of Manchester, won the same category in 2000.

In 2023, rapper Aitch received the award for best hip hop, grime or rap act.

Co-op Live has already held a major music award ceremony, the MTV Europe Music Awards (EMAs), in November last year, which attracted the likes of Teddy Swims, Benson Boone and Shawn Mendes.

This marks a bold new chapter for the BRITs, in tune with Manchester’s legendary music legacy as well as the city’s role as a cultural powerhouse.

“A reflection of a changing national identity”

Josh Wheeler, founder of Manchester-based PR agency Be Broadcast, welcomed the move as a “reflection of a changing national identity,” noting how long the UK’s cultural milestones have been shaped through a “London-centric lens.”

He said: “The BRIT Awards moving to Manchester is not just a relocation. It is a reflection of a changing national identity. For too long, the UK’s cultural moments have been framed through a London-centric lens. This move recognises that creative power exists far beyond the capital, and that the North is not only ready to host, but to lead.

“This is a city already playing host to the BBC, ITV Studios and now the English National Opera. It is the home of Co-op Live, which has transformed from a high-profile headache to a beacon of ambition. It has welcomed headquarters from Siemens, TalkTalk and more recently Puma, all investing in a new kind of future. The Lowry Theatre helped spark the regeneration of Salford Quays. What we are seeing is not isolated progress. It is a growing ecosystem of arts, innovation and influence.”

But he also warned against simply recreating the same structures as the capital in a different city.

“The challenge for Manchester now is to avoid becoming a new version of what it seeks to disrupt. This cannot be about replacing one cultural monopoly with another. It has to be about building a genuine network… lifting up the voices around it. Share access, investment and attention. Build bridges, not walls,” he added.

For the BRITs, Wheeler believes the move “unlocks new audiences, regional energy, and a far deeper sense of connection,” repositioning the event as more inclusive and nationally representative.

When are the BRIT Awards 2026?

The ceremony will air on Saturday, 28th of February 2026, streamed live across ITV1, ITVX, STV, and STV Player.

You can find out more at the BRIT Awards here