Olivia Dean And Lola Young Lead Brit Awards 2026

The stage is set for the 2026 Brit Awards to deliver one of the most exciting and unpredictable ceremonies in recent memory. With the full list of nominations revealed on January 21, 2026, the British music industry is abuzz with anticipation, speculation, and, as ever, a few raised eyebrows over notable snubs and surprise inclusions. This year’s event isn’t just about the trophies—it’s about a new era for the Brits, marked by a fresh location, a diverse range of contenders, and a palpable sense of change in the air.

For the first time in nearly half a century, the Brit Awards will leave their traditional London home and head north to Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena. According to Sky News and BBC News, the ceremony will take place on Saturday, February 28, 2026, and be broadcast live on ITV and ITVX. The move is more than symbolic; it signals a willingness to shake things up and reflect the evolving landscape of British music. Stacey Tang of Sony Music, who currently chairs the organizing committee, described the shift as a moment to “take stock after artists like Olivia Dean, Lola Young, Central Cee and RAYE saw huge gains on a global level.”

At the heart of the 2026 nominations are two standout names: Olivia Dean and Lola Young. Both graduates of the famed Brit School, they have each secured five nominations, dominating the field across major categories. Dean’s impressive haul includes two nods for Song of the Year, as well as nominations for Album of the Year, Artist of the Year, and Best Pop Act. She’s also slated to perform at the Manchester ceremony, adding another layer of excitement for her fans. “It feels crazy,” Dean told the Brit Awards, reflecting on her multiple nominations. “It would be crazy to be nominated for just one.”

Lola Young, meanwhile, is recognized for Artist of the Year, Breakthrough Artist, Best Alternative/Rock Act, Best Pop Act, and Song of the Year for her hit single “Messy.” The breadth of their recognition underscores a bumper year for British women in music, with both artists making significant global impacts and leading a field that’s as competitive as it is diverse.

It’s not just homegrown talent in the spotlight. Hollywood and international artists have made their mark on this year’s nominations. Cynthia Erivo, star of Wicked, and the K-Pop-inspired group Demon Hunters are both contenders in the international song and artist categories. Pop behemoths like Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter, Chappell Roan, and CMAT will face off for International Artist of the Year, while international group nominees include Geese, Turnstile, HAIM, Tame Impala, and Huntrix (featuring Ejae, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami).

The Album of the Year category is especially stacked, with contenders like Olivia Dean’s The Art of Loving, Sam Fender’s People Watching, Dave’s The Boy Who Played The Harp, Lily Allen’s West End Girl, and Wolf Alice’s The Clearing. As Billboard notes, this year’s nominations are among the strongest in recent memory, making predictions for the top prizes nearly impossible.

Veteran acts are also getting their due. Indie legends Pulp received their first nomination for Best Group since 1996, joining a competitive field with Wolf Alice, Wet Leg, Sleep Token, and The Last Dinner Party. Sam Fender, fresh from his 2025 Mercury Prize win for People Watching, is up for four awards and hopes to claim Best Alternative/Rock Act for a second consecutive year.

But as with any major awards show, the 2026 Brit Awards are not without their controversies. Notable snubs have sparked debate across the industry and among fans. Ed Sheeran, a Brit Awards mainstay with 25 previous nominations and seven wins, received just one nod this year—for Song of the Year with “Azizam.” Despite a highly publicized “big pop” comeback and a chart-topping album in 2025, Sheeran’s diminished presence suggests a shift in the Brit Awards’ priorities. “He remains a live draw,” Billboard observed, “but appears to be falling out of favor with the Brits Voting Academy.”

Justin Bieber is another high-profile omission. Despite Grammy recognition for his album Swag and a UK chart-topping single, Bieber didn’t receive a single Brit nomination. Florence + The Machine, long considered a darling of the Brits, was also entirely absent from the list, even though her 2025 album Everybody Scream received glowing reviews and topped the UK charts. Yungblud, who enjoyed a breakthrough year in 2025 with multiple Grammy nods and a headline performance at Ozzy Osbourne’s farewell concert, was similarly overlooked.

On the flip side, the nominations brought some pleasant surprises. Bad Bunny, the Puerto Rican superstar, received his first-ever Brit nod in the International Artist of the Year category—a recognition that many feel was long overdue. Indie band Geese, whose latest album Getting Killed has been lauded by critics, scored a nomination for International Group of the Year. Rising folk artist Jacob Alon, winner of the Mercury Prize’s Rising Star category, was also recognized, beating out major label contenders and earning praise from none other than Elton John. Gracie Abrams, who was left out of the 2025 nominations despite major chart success, returned this year with a nod for International Song of the Year.

The 2026 Brit Awards also reflect the growing diversity of British music. Alongside established names, newcomers like Jim Legxacy and Skye Newman are making their mark, with multiple nominations in categories ranging from Hip-Hop/Grime/Rap to R&B and Breakthrough Artist. The genre categories themselves are fiercely contested, with acts like Blood Orange, Wet Leg, and Wolf Alice vying for Best Alternative/Rock Act, and Fred again.., Skepta & PlaqueBoyMax, and Calvin Harris & Clementine Douglas leading the Best Dance Act field.

Not all the winners will be revealed on the night; the Songwriter of the Year and Producer of the Year awards will be announced in the coming weeks, keeping fans and industry insiders on their toes. As the ceremony approaches, the conversation is as much about who isn’t on the list as who is, highlighting the ever-evolving nature of music recognition in the UK.

With Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena as its new home and a nomination list that’s both deep and unpredictable, the 2026 Brit Awards promise to be a watershed moment—one that honors not just the year’s biggest hits, but also the changing face of British and international music. For fans and artists alike, February 28 can’t come soon enough.