Manchester is set to make music history this Saturday as the BRIT Awards 2026 bring the glitz, glamour, and a heartfelt tribute to a rock legend to the city’s Co-op Live arena. For the first time ever, the UK’s biggest pop and rock celebration will be hosted outside of London, and the night promises to be one for the ages. The centerpiece of the evening? A posthumous Lifetime Achievement Award for Ozzy Osbourne, the man who redefined heavy metal and inspired countless musicians across generations.
The anticipation surrounding this year’s BRITs has been building for weeks, and with good reason. According to IQ Magazine and Music News, the 23,500-capacity Co-op Live arena will welcome a star-studded lineup of performers and presenters, but all eyes will be on the closing moments—a show-stopping tribute to Ozzy Osbourne, who passed away on July 22, 2025. The tribute, curated by his widow and longtime manager Sharon Osbourne, will feature an all-star band of Ozzy’s former collaborators: Adam Wakeman, Robert Trujillo, Tommy Clufetos, and Zakk Wylde. The performance of Osbourne’s 1991 classic “No More Tears” will be fronted by none other than Robbie Williams, personally invited by Sharon to lead the charge.
Sharon Osbourne, ever the architect of Ozzy’s enduring legacy, has been instrumental in shaping this emotional send-off. The choice of “No More Tears” is poignant—not just for its place in Ozzy’s catalog, but for the raw emotion it evokes. As the curtain falls on the ceremony, fans and fellow musicians alike will remember the man whose voice and stage presence shaped the very spirit of rock. The tribute promises to be a fitting farewell, but also a celebration of a career that spanned more than five decades and touched millions worldwide.
Ozzy’s accolades are nothing short of staggering. As reported by both IQ Magazine and Music News, his career began as a founding member of Black Sabbath, where he helped craft the blueprint for heavy metal. Over the years, he released 19 studio albums and eight live albums with the band, before embarking on a solo journey that saw him release 13 solo studio albums. His influence extended beyond the studio—Ozzy launched the iconic Ozzfest touring festival, introducing a new generation to the power of live rock music. With over 100 million album sales to his name, five Grammy Awards, and inductions into both the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the UK Music Hall of Fame, Ozzy’s impact is undeniable.
Stacey Tang, Chair of the 2026 BRIT Awards Committee and Co-President of RCA Records at Sony Music UK, summed up the sentiment of the night: “Ozzy Osbourne has been a mighty force in modern music. Possessing an unmistakable voice and unique presence, he reshaped the sound and spirit of rock, inspiring generations of artists who followed. This Lifetime Achievement Award recognises a remarkable legacy built on originality and enduring influence, that continues to connect with fans worldwide.”
The BRIT Awards have always been a stage for memorable moments, and Ozzy was no stranger to the spotlight. He previously hosted the awards in 2008 alongside Sharon, Kelly, and Jack Osbourne, bringing his trademark humor and unpredictability to the proceedings. His final live performance came in the summer of 2025 at “Back to the Beginning,” a global benefit concert at Birmingham’s Villa Park, where he reunited with Black Sabbath’s Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward—closing the circle on a legendary career.
While the tribute to Ozzy will undoubtedly be the emotional heart of the evening, the rest of the BRITs lineup is no less impressive. Harry Styles, himself an investor in the Co-op Live arena, will take the stage before returning for a one-off headline show at the same venue on March 6, with tickets capped at a fan-friendly £20 (€23). Styles is gearing up for a record-breaking 12-night residency at Wembley Stadium in June and July, as well as curating the Meltdown festival in London this summer—a testament to his own meteoric rise in the industry.
Pop sensation Alex Warren is also set to perform at the BRITs, kicking off his European arena tour in Düsseldorf on April 4 and returning to headline Co-op Live on April 27. The lineup features a who’s who of contemporary music: Wolf Alice will headline Finsbury Park in July; Rosalía launches her European tour with two nights at the O2 in London in May; Olivia Dean will play two sold-out shows at Co-op Live in April; Raye starts her UK tour at the O2 on February 27; and Sombr will launch a UK tour with three nights at Brixton Academy in March. Fans of Netflix’s “KPop Demon Hunters” will also get a treat, as Ejae, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami—the singing voices behind HUNTR/X—are set to appear.
Adding another layer of prestige, Mark Ronson will perform and receive the Outstanding Contribution to Music award. It’s a reminder that the BRITs are not just about the new and the now, but about honoring those whose creativity and innovation have shaped the musical landscape for years. Last year’s ceremony saw Charli XCX scoop up five awards, setting a high bar for this year’s hopefuls.
The move to Manchester’s Co-op Live arena marks a significant shift for the BRITs, which had been held at London’s O2 Arena since 2011. The change of venue reflects the evolving landscape of British music and the desire to connect with fans across the country. With a capacity of 23,500, Co-op Live is the largest indoor arena in the UK, promising an electric atmosphere for performers and fans alike.
For many, the highlight of the night will be the tribute to Ozzy Osbourne—a moment to remember a man who, as Stacey Tang put it, “reshaped the sound and spirit of rock.” But the 2026 BRIT Awards are more than just a farewell; they’re a testament to the enduring power of music to unite, inspire, and move us. As Manchester prepares to host this historic event, fans around the world will be watching, remembering, and celebrating the life and legacy of a true icon.
When the lights dim and the final notes of “No More Tears” echo through the arena, the spirit of Ozzy Osbourne will linger—proof that legends never really leave us, they just keep playing on in the hearts of those they inspired.