For the first time in Brit Awards history, the iconic music ceremony will leave its longtime London home and take center stage in Manchester. On February 28, 2026, the 49th annual Brit Awards will be held at the state-of-the-art Co-op Live venue, marking a new chapter for the event and shining a spotlight on the city’s rich cultural heritage. But it isn’t just the location that’s making headlines—this year’s trophy, unveiled by acclaimed designer Matthew Williamson, is turning heads for its deeply personal homage to Manchester and its storied past.
Matthew Williamson, a Manchester native with a three-decade career in fashion and interiors, revealed his vision for the Brit Awards trophy live on BBC Radio Manchester on November 19, 2025. Known for his collaborations with high-profile figures like Sienna Miller and Andrea Riseborough, and luxury brands such as Pucci and Swarovski, Williamson is celebrated for his vibrant use of color and pattern. Yet, when tasked with designing the trophy for the Brits’ Manchester debut, he took a different route—one rooted in the city’s spirit and symbolism.
“I wanted something that would really resonate with the city and the people of Manchester,” Williamson told BBC Radio Manchester. “Above all, I wanted to ensure it connected to Manchester, the Brits’ new location and my hometown.”
The result is a striking amber resin statuette of a woman wearing a crested helmet, poised atop a globe. The design draws direct inspiration from the “golden honey of a worker bee,” a symbol that’s been synonymous with Manchester since the mid-1800s. The worker bee, adopted during the Industrial Revolution, represents the city’s industriousness and unity—qualities that have defined Manchester’s identity for generations.
Williamson shared the story behind his creative process, recalling how the idea came to him in a rather unassuming moment. “I was in my kitchen, sort of dropping honey from a jar and taking pictures of it as it fell and it created this puddle of a deeper sort of amber tone,” he explained. “I was like, ‘that’s what I want this trophy to look like.’”
The choice to focus on the bee and the color of honey was more than aesthetic. “This spirit to work hard and be part of the essential fabric of the nation still resonates with me today,” Williamson said. He wanted the trophy to be “chic, elegant and timeless”—a keepsake that winners would proudly display rather than tuck away. “The winners are going to have pretty sassy homes,” he quipped. “I don’t want it to be a doorstop or in the bottom drawer, I want it to be on the mantelpiece.”
This year’s design is also a nod to the global reach of British music. By placing the statuette atop a globe, Williamson sought to capture the sense of achievement and worldwide impact that the Brits represent. “The Brits also represents the global reach of British music and so I designed the statue to sit on top of a globe. I imagine each deserving winner will feel on top of the world as they receive their award and I cannot wait to see the trophy I designed being part of the celebrations on the night.”
The Brit Awards trophy is famously reinvented each year, with past designs crafted by legendary artists like Dame Vivienne Westwood, Sir Peter Blake, and Dame Tracey Emin. Williamson’s approach, however, is distinctly personal, weaving together Manchester’s past and present. “I wanted to pause, take stock and offer something truly personal to me,” he reflected. “It’s an honor and a career highlight to have been chosen to design the trophy. The Brits is an event I’ve watched since childhood and I’m still so immersed in it to this day. I’ve always looked at it in awe and wonder, so to even be offered this opportunity feels like a real milestone moment.”
The move to Manchester is itself a milestone for the Brit Awards. For nearly five decades, the ceremony has been a fixture in London’s cultural calendar. Now, by relocating to Manchester’s Co-op Live—an arena designed to host world-class performances—the event is embracing fresh perspectives and local pride. Brit Awards chairwoman Stacey Tang expressed her enthusiasm for both the new venue and Williamson’s creation. “The move to Manchester has enabled us to think about how we do things in such a brilliant and different way, so I am delighted that Matthew accepted the invitation to design the award for next year’s show,” Tang said. “We couldn’t be more pleased with what Matthew has created.”
Williamson’s design is more than just a trophy; it’s a celebration of Manchester’s enduring legacy. The worker bee motif, which has graced everything from city architecture to public spaces since the 19th century, is a reminder of the city’s collective spirit. During the Industrial Revolution, Manchester was a hive of activity, its factories and mills powered by the energy and cooperation of its people. Today, the bee remains a symbol of resilience and solidarity, especially poignant in times of adversity.
The amber resin used for the trophy not only captures the golden hue of honey but also conveys a sense of warmth and value. It’s a material that feels both contemporary and timeless—a fitting tribute to a city that’s always evolving while staying true to its roots.
As anticipation builds for the February 2026 ceremony, the new trophy is already sparking conversation among artists, fans, and the wider public. There’s a sense that this year’s Brit Awards will be more than a celebration of musical achievement; it will also be a recognition of place and identity. By choosing a local designer with a global reputation and a deep connection to Manchester, the Brits are signaling a renewed commitment to honoring the diverse voices and stories that shape British music.
With Williamson’s trophy set to take pride of place on winners’ mantelpieces—and with Manchester poised to host the UK’s biggest night in music—the 49th Brit Awards promise to be a night to remember. And for Williamson, the chance to contribute to this legacy is a dream realized. “I cannot wait to see the trophy I designed being part of the celebrations on the night,” he said, capturing the excitement felt across the city and the country.
As the Brit Awards prepare for their historic Manchester debut, all eyes are on the city, the music, and the golden bee that ties them together.
