As the excitement ramps up for the first-ever BRIT Awards ceremony to be held outside of London, the nominations have officially been released, and we’re now seeing the possible attendees of the BRIT Awards in Manchester this February. The nominations were officially announced via Bring on the BRITs, a digital broadcast filmed at Manchester’s Co-op Live.
The winners of The BRIT Awards 2026 will be announced live on Saturday 28th February, as the show debuts at its new Manchester home, the Co-op Live, and broadcasts exclusively on ITV and ITVX. Award-winning comedian and writer Jack Whitehall returns to host the show, and the winners of each category will each take home the iconic BRITs trophy, this year conceptualised and designed by internationally acclaimed and Manchester-born designer Matthew Williamson, inspired by his roots to the city.
How will voting work?
The winners of Song of the Year with Mastercard and International Song of the Year will be determined by a public vote, exclusively on WhatsApp as part of The BRITs continued partnership with Meta. To vote, fans can head to the BRITs WhatsApp channel or BRITs socials from midday on Friday 30th January until the vote closes at 6pm on Friday 13th February.
Who is nominated for the 2026 BRIT Awards?
Leading the charge for the 2026 nominations are several British artists who have had exceptional years to date, with significant commercial and chart impact as well as representing an exciting cultural movement for British talent. Lola Young and Olivia Dean are front and centre of this year’s BRITs with five nominations each. Oliva Dean is also the first performer to be confirmed for this year’s show.
Sam Fender will hope to continue his winning streak as he receives four nominations across Artist of the Year, Mastercard Album of the Year, Song of the Year with Mastercard and Alt/Rock Act. The likes of Dave, Fred again.., Jim Legxacy, Lily Allen and Wolf Alice have all claimed three nominations each
Other British artists up for awards this year include Calvin Harris, JADE, Ed Sheeran, Little Simz, PinkPantheress, RAYE, Skye Newman and Wet Leg, plus British icons Pulp receive their first nomination since 1996, with a nod in Group of the Year.
Hollywood is also represented in this year’s nominations, with two of 2025’s biggest cultural moments featured as Cynthia Erivo secures her first BRIT Award nomination, with her rendition of Wicked’s Defying Gravity up for Song of the Year; and KPop Demon Hunter’s Golden also nominated for International Song of the Year, with HUNTR/X – EJAE / Audrey Nuna / REI AMi also in the running for International Group.
The winners of Songwriter of the Year and Producer of the Year will be revealed over the coming weeks, along with other show announcements.
Scottish singer/songwriter Jacob Alon was also announced as the winner of this year’s BRITs Critics’ Choice earlier in the week, due to the raw storytelling that ultimately shaped their debut album ‘In Limerence’.
Full list of BRIT Awards 2026 nominees:
Artist of the Year
- Dave
- Fred again..
- JADE
- Lily Allen
- Little Simz
- Lola Young
- Olivia Dean
- PinkPantheress
- Sam Fender
- Self Esteem
Breakthrough Artist
- Barry Can’t Swim
- EsDeeKid
- Jim Legxacy
- Lola Young
- Skye Newman
Mastercard 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’
Song of the Year with Mastercard
- Calvin Harris & Clementine Douglas – Blessings
- Chrystal & Notion – The Days (Notion Remix)
- Cynthia Erivo (feat. Ariana Grande) – Defying Gravity
- Ed Sheeran – Azizam
- Fred again.., Skepta & 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 (with Olivia Dean) – Rein Me In
- Skye Newman – Family Matters
Best Alternative/Rock Act
- Blood Orange
- Lola Young
- Sam Fender
- Wet Leg
- Wolf Alice
Best Pop Act
- Jade
- Lily Allen
- Lola Young
- Olivia Dean
- Raye
Best Hip Hop/Grime/Rap Act
- Central Cee
- Dave
- Jim Legxacy
- Little Simz
- Loyle Carner
Best Dance Act
- Calvin Harris & Clementine Douglas
- FKA twigs
- Fred again..Skepta & PlaqueBoyMax
- PinkPantheress
- Sammy Virji
Best R&B Act
- Jim Legxacy
- Kwn
- Mabel
- Sasha Keable
- Sault
Group of the Year
- The Last Dinner Party
- Pulp
- Sleep Token
- Wet Leg
- Wolf Alice
Critics’ Choice
- Jacob Alon (winner)
- Rose Gray
- Sienna Spiro
International Artist of the Year
- Bad Bunny
- Chappell Roan
- CMAT
- Doechii
- Lady Gaga
- Rosalía
- Sabrina Carpenter
- Sombr
- Taylor Swift
- Tyler, The Creator
International Group
- Geese
- Haim
- Huntr/x, Ejae / Audrey Nuna/ Rei Ami
- Tame Impala
- Turnstile
International Song of the Year
- Alex Warren – Ordinary
- Chappell Roan – Pink Pony Club
- Disco Lines & Tinashe – No Broke Boys
- Gigi Perez – Sailor Song
- Gracie Abrams – That’s So True
- Huntr/x, Ejae / Audrey Nuna/ Rei Ami – Golden
- Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars – Die With A Smile
- Ravyn Lenae – Love Me Not
- Rosé & Bruno Mars – APT.
- Sabrina Carpenter – Manchild
- Sombr – Undressed
- Taylor Swift – The Fate of Ophelia
Outstanding Contribution To Music
- Mark Ronson
Who will perform live at the BRIT Awards 2026 in Manchester?
Given the list of nominees, we’re in for a right treat at Co-op Live this year. Five-time nominee Olivia Dean has been announced as the first performer to take the stage at this year’s BRITs, alongside the mighty Wolf Alice, and our very own heartthrob, Harry Styles. Mark Ronson is also set to perform, having confirmed his attendance to pick up his Outstanding Contribution To Music award – and he will most definitely dream up a hell of a set.
Stacey Tang, Chair of the 2026 BRIT Awards Committee and Co-President of RCA Records at Sony Music UK said: “The breadth of artists nominated reflects a thriving year in music and reaffirms that British artists continue to capture imaginations across the globe.
“I think this list is a powerful demonstration of how vibrant and varied music is right now, with artists across different genres and generations reflecting music that is both commercially successful and has lasting cultural impact. At its core, the BRIT Awards exists to celebrate creativity, and these nominations set the stage for an exciting and memorable night.”