The Brit Awards 2026 dazzled audiences on Saturday, February 28, as the iconic music celebration made a bold move from its long-standing London home to Manchester’s Co-op Live. For the first time in the event’s history, the heart of the UK’s music industry beat in the north, bringing together chart-toppers, emerging stars, and industry legends for an unforgettable night. The ceremony, broadcast live on ITV1 and ITVX from 8:15pm to 10:30pm, pulled out all the stops in both spectacle and star power, with comedian Jack Whitehall returning as host for his sixth stint.
Whitehall, who began his comedy career in Manchester, expressed his excitement about the venue change, saying, “I am so excited to be coming back for this very special BRIT Awards in Manchester, a place that is so important to me. The city I started my comedy career in, it feels like a real full circle moment returning to host this historic night at the Co-op Live, a venue that is only a stone’s throw away from the comedy club I did my first 10-minute set in all those years ago. Hopefully, I get a few more laughs than I did that night. I cannot wait.” According to Metro, this full-circle moment added a personal touch to an already electric atmosphere.
Before the main event, music fans tuned in to a red carpet livestream starting at 5:30pm on the official Brits Instagram, hosted by Kiss FM’s Tyler West and podcast host Charley Marlowe. As Britain’s Got Talent warmed up the ITV audience from 7pm, anticipation for the Brit Awards reached a fever pitch. The show’s decision to air live, without any editing buffer, promised viewers at home a raw and unpredictable experience—a tradition that has led to memorable moments in past years.
This year’s Brit Awards line-up was a veritable who’s who of global and British music. Harry Styles took center stage, making his live TV performance debut of music from his upcoming album, Kiss All The Time. Disco Occasionally. The anticipation was palpable: would he perform the much-rumored track “Aperture” for the first time? Fans had to tune in to find out, as reported by Capital.
Olivia Dean, one of the night’s most-nominated artists, transitioned from a decade ago as an audience member to a celebrated performer, a testament to her meteoric rise. Alongside her, Raye—who set a record in 2024 for the most awards won in a single night—returned to the stage, teasing new music from her highly anticipated second album, This Music May Contain Hope. “We are so grateful to the BRIT Awards for having us back on their stage. Me and the band are very excited,” Raye shared, as quoted by Metro.
The evening also marked historic firsts. HUNTR/X, the breakout K-pop group from Netflix’s KPop Demon Hunters, became the first K-pop group ever to perform at the Brits, delivering their hit “Golden.” Their inclusion signaled the awards’ growing embrace of global music trends and diversity. Mark Ronson, honored for his outstanding contribution to music, took the stage with speculation swirling about a surprise guest mashup—though nothing was confirmed before the broadcast.
International flair was further amplified by Spanish superstar Rosalía, who made her Brits debut with music from her album Lux, drawing inspiration from classical genres. Wolf Alice, nominated for three awards for their fourth studio album The Clearing, delivered a rousing performance. Bassist Theo Ellis told Capital, “We’re truly honoured to get the opportunity to play this year’s BRIT Awards!”
Other standout acts included chart-topper Alex Warren, who confirmed his record-breaking single “Ordinary” would be on the setlist, and Sombr, who not only performed but was also nominated for two awards. “I’m so honoured to be performing at the iconic BRIT Awards. I am so thankful to everyone who has supported me this past year. I love the UK and all the British people, it’s my second home,” Sombr shared, as reported by Metro.
The awards themselves spanned a wide array of genres and categories, reflecting the vibrancy and diversity of today’s music scene. Nominees for Song of the Year included Calvin Harris and Clementine Douglas’s “Blessings,” Ed Sheeran’s “Azizam,” and Raye’s “Where Is My Husband!” The Artist of the Year category was stacked with talent: Lola Young, Dave, Fred Again, Jade, Lily Allen, Little Simz, Olivia Dean, Pink Pantheress, Sam Fender, and Self Esteem all vied for the honor.
Mastercard Album of the Year saw fierce competition between Dave’s The Boy Who Played The Harp, Lily Allen’s West End Girl, Olivia Dean’s The Art Of Loving, Sam Fender’s People Watching, and Wolf Alice’s The Clearing. The Breakthrough Artist of the Year category spotlighted emerging talents like Barry Can’t Swim, EsDee Kid, Jim Legxacy, Lola Young, and Skye Newman.
Genre-specific awards highlighted the breadth of the UK’s music landscape, from Pop Act (with Jade, Lily Allen, Lola Young, Olivia Dean, and Raye) to Hip Hop/Rap/Grime Act (Central Cee, Dave, Jim Legxacy, Little Simz, Loyle Carner) and Rock/Alt Act (Blood Orange, Lola Young, Sam Fender, Wet Leg, Wolf Alice). International categories featured heavyweight contenders such as Bad Bunny, Lady Gaga, Rosalia, Taylor Swift, and Tyler The Creator.
Industry legends were not forgotten. Noel Gallagher and Mark Ronson received special honors for their enduring contributions to music, underscoring the Brits’ commitment to celebrating both innovation and legacy.
The ceremony’s relocation to Manchester injected fresh energy into the event. Afterparties across the city kept the festivities going into the early hours, with fans and artists alike reveling in the new chapter for the Brits. As Metro noted, the city’s vibrant music history and enthusiastic crowds proved to be the perfect backdrop for the awards’ northern debut.
For those unable to attend in person, the combination of live television, red carpet streaming, and social media updates brought the excitement into living rooms across the UK and around the world. With no editing buffer, viewers were treated to the kind of spontaneous moments that make live television so thrilling.
As the night drew to a close, the Brit Awards 2026 stood out not only for its star-studded performances and high-profile winners but also for its willingness to evolve, embrace new voices, and celebrate the full spectrum of musical talent. Manchester’s Co-op Live proved a fitting stage for a ceremony that continues to shape and reflect the ever-changing landscape of global music.