The 46th edition of the BRIT Awards unfolded on February 28, 2026, at Manchester’s Co-op Live, marking a historic departure from its traditional London home since the ceremony’s inception in 1977. The move north was more than just a change of scenery—it symbolized a fresh start and a new energy for one of the UK’s most prestigious nights in music. As the stars descended on Manchester, anticipation was sky-high, with both industry insiders and fans eager to see how this new chapter would unfold.
The festivities began early, with the red carpet preshow kicking off at 5:30 pm GMT. Hosted by Charley Marlowe and Tyler West on BRITs Instagram Live, the preshow gave viewers a front-row seat to the glamour, style, and candid artist interviews that set the tone for the evening. According to Bleeding Cool, this digital-first approach ensured fans from around the world could join in the excitement before the main event even started.
When the clock struck 8:15 pm GMT, UK viewers tuned in to ITV1 and ITVX for the live broadcast, while global audiences joined at 8:45 pm GMT via The BRITs’ YouTube channel. The accessibility of this year’s show was a clear nod to the evolving ways fans engage with music and live events—no matter where they were, the BRITs were just a click away.
Jack Whitehall, returning as host, kept the proceedings lively and unpredictable. He even starred in a much-anticipated comedy sketch with Harry Styles, who was back on the BRITs stage for the first time in three years. Styles, last seen at the awards in 2023 when he swept four trophies including Album of the Year, opened the show with “Aperture,” his hypnotic new single from the forthcoming album Kiss All The Time, Disco Occasionally. While the details of his performance were shrouded in secrecy—closed-door rehearsals and all—fans and critics alike speculated about whether he’d recreate the dramatic, dance-fueled music video for the song. According to BBC, Styles’ return was hotly anticipated and did not disappoint.
The night’s performance roster read like a who’s who of contemporary music. Alongside Styles, audiences were treated to sets by Olivia Dean, Wolf Alice, RAYE, Alex Warren, SOMBR, and the international sensation ROSALIA. The trio of EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and REI AMI—better known as Huntr/X from Netflix’s KPop Demon Hunters—brought a taste of K-pop to the Manchester stage, reflecting the global reach of the awards. Mark Ronson, himself an honoree, also performed, as did Robbie Williams, who would later play a central role in one of the evening’s most emotional moments.
The awards themselves were fiercely contested, with more than 90 nominees across 18 categories. Olivia Dean and Lola Young, both Londoners, led the pack with five nominations each. Dean’s second album, The Art of Loving, was a favorite for Album of the Year, having topped the charts multiple times since its release. But competition was stiff—Mercury Prize winner Sam Fender and the resurgent Lily Allen, whose raw, honest album about her marriage was one of the year’s most talked-about releases, were also in the mix. Song of the Year was a toss-up, with Lola Young’s “Messy,” RAYE’s “Where Is My Husband,” and Myles Smith’s “Nice To Meet You” all vying for the honor. Dean, notably, had two chances at the title with “Man I Need” and “Rein Me In,” a duet with Fender.
One of the most touching moments of the night was reserved for Ozzy Osbourne, the legendary “Prince of Darkness” and founding member of Black Sabbath. Osbourne was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award, and the tribute performance of his 1991 classic “No More Tears” was curated by his wife, Sharon Osbourne. The all-star lineup for the tribute included Adam Wakeman, Robert Trujillo, Tommy Clufetos, Zakk Wylde, and, front and center, Robbie Williams. BBC noted that the Foo Fighters, who played Manchester the night before, were rumored to make a surprise appearance to pay their respects—a fitting gesture to a man whose influence spanned generations. Osbourne’s legacy, stretching across 19 studio albums with Black Sabbath and 13 as a solo artist, was celebrated in grand style, underscoring his status as one of music’s most enduring icons.
Mark Ronson, meanwhile, was recognized with the Outstanding Contribution Award. As Bleeding Cool reported, Ronson’s impact on contemporary music is hard to overstate: two BRIT Awards, nine Grammys, an Academy Award, and a Golden Globe, not to mention 25 billion global streams over a career that’s redefined pop, soul, funk, and electronic music. His work with artists like Amy Winehouse, Bruno Mars, Miley Cyrus, and Dua Lipa has consistently set the tone for the industry, and his soundtrack contributions to films like Barbie and A Star Is Born have only burnished his reputation as a tastemaker and innovator.
Other honorees included Noel Gallagher, who took home Songwriter of the Year—despite his own tongue-in-cheek admission that he hadn’t written a song in two years—and PinkPantheress, named Producer of the Year after releasing two acclaimed albums. Jacob Alon, the Scottish folk sensation whose voice and songwriting earned them a Mercury Prize nomination, was awarded the Rising Star prize and performed during the ceremony, signaling the arrival of a major new talent.
The night was not just about awards and performances—it was also a stage for breaking records and making history. If RAYE had managed to win both Best Pop Artist and Best Single, she would have tied with Coldplay as the third most successful act in BRITs history. Taylor Swift, nominated yet again for Best International Artist, was hoping to break her losing streak in the category. And the fictional girl group Huntr/X, from Netflix’s KPop Demon Hunters, made headlines as the first K-pop act up for major BRITs honors—potentially paving the way for more diverse voices at future ceremonies. As BBC pointed out, no performer singing in a foreign language had ever won Best International Artist; with nominees like Bad Bunny and ROSALIA, that milestone seemed tantalizingly close.
For Pulp frontman Jarvis Cocker, the ceremony offered a chance at redemption. Thirty years after his infamous stage invasion during Michael Jackson’s 1996 performance, Cocker reflected to BBC, “For a while, I thought that was really the only thing I was going to ever be remembered for... So the fact that we have been nominated [again] for some music that we’ve made, I feel like that’s laid that to rest. So I’m very, very happy.”
With its new home, expanded global reach, and a slate of unforgettable performances and honors, the BRIT Awards 2026 proved that reinvention and tradition can go hand in hand. For fans and artists alike, it was a night to remember—and a bold step forward for British music’s biggest celebration.