The BRIT Awards 2026 already have nominees and, beyond the names themselves, this year marks a historic turning point: for the first time in almost five decades, the ceremony will be held outside London, landing in Manchester, a city that has defined British musical identity from Joy Division to Oasis.
The gala will take place on February 28 at the Co-op Live Arena, with Jack Whitehall returning as master of ceremonies for the sixth time. And if the list of nominations makes one thing clear, it’s that the creative center of British pop is changing hands.
Lola Young and Olivia Dean, the main protagonists
The most nominated artists of this edition are Lola Young and Olivia Dean, with five nominations each, consolidating a generational relay that is no longer a promise, but a reality.
Lola Young competes in key categories such as Artist Of The Year, Breakthrough Artist, Alternative/Rock, Pop and Song Of The Year for “Messy”, confirming her definitive leap from the South London alternative scene to the mainstream.
“I’ve dreamt of this a thousand times,” declared the artist after the nominations were announced, underlining the emotional impact of this moment.
Olivia Dean, for her part, signs one of the most symbolic stories of this edition. An alumna of the BRIT School, she will also be the first artist confirmed to perform at the gala, closing a vital and creative circle that reinforces her status as one of the most elegant and solid voices in British pop today.
Sam Fender, Wolf Alice and the balance between generations
With four nominations, Sam Fender is once again at the heart of British popular discourse, competing in both Artist Of The Year and Album Of The Year with People Watching.
He is followed by artists with three nominations, such as Wolf Alice, Lily Allen, Fred Again, Dave and Jim Legxacy .
Special mention should be made of Pulp’ s nomination for Group Of The Year, the first in 30 years for Jarvis Cocker’s band, confirming the constant dialogue between legacy and present that defines this edition.
BRITs more diverse than ever
One of the most significant data for 2026 is that almost 70% of the nominated artists are women or non-binary people, the highest percentage in the history of the awards. This change is not anecdotal: it responds to a profound transformation in the British industry and in who occupies the center of the cultural narrative today.
In addition, music linked to film and television gains unprecedented weight, with nominations for Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande for Defying Gravity(Wicked), and for HUNTR/X for Golden, viral K-Pop track Demon Hunters.
Manchester, the perfect symbol
The choice of Manchester is no coincidence. This year’s statuette, designed by Matthew Williamson, is inspired by the worker bee, symbol of the city, and made of amber resin as a metaphor for resilience, collective work and local pride.
The BRITs 2026 don’t just award songs: they claim an ecosystem.
Categories open to the public and broadcast
The Song Of The Year and International Song categories will once again be voted for by the public, reinforcing the connection between artists and audience.
The ceremony will be broadcast exclusively on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player, keeping ITV as the official broadcaster for the 34th consecutive year.
An edition that redefines the present
After Charli XCX ‘s absolute dominance in 2025, the BRIT Awards 2026 confirm something clear: British pop is living one of its most open, diverse and creative stages.
Manchester hosts the ceremony, new voices lead the nominations and the story no longer belongs to a single scene. The BRITs matter again because, this time, they accurately reflect what is happening off stage.
🏆 BRIT Awards 2026 – Quick Summary of Nominations
🎤 Most nominated artists
| Artist | No. of nominations | Featured categories |
|---|---|---|
| Lola Young | 5 | Artist, Breakthrough, Pop, Alternative/Rock, Song |
| Olivia Dean | 5 | Artist, Pop, Album, Song, confirmed performance |
| Sam Fender | 4 | Artist, Album, Alternative/Rock, Song |
| Wolf Alice | 3 | Group, Album, Alternative/Rock |
| Lily Allen | 3 | Artist, Album, Pop |
| Fred Again… | 3 | Artist, Dance, Song |
| Dave | 3 | Artist, Album, Hip-Hop |
| Jim Legxacy | 3 | Breakthrough, Hip-Hop, R&B |
🏅 Main categories
Artist Of The Year
Dave – Fred Again… – JADE – Lily Allen – Little Simz – Lola Young – Olivia Dean – PinkPantheress – Sam Fender – Self Esteem
Group Of The Year
The Last Dinner Party – Pulp – Sleep Token – Wet Leg – Wolf Alice
(Pulp’s first nomination in 30 years)
Mastercard Album Of The Year
| Artist | Album |
|---|---|
| Dave | The Boy Who Played The Harp |
| Lily Allen | West End Girl |
| Olivia Dean | The Art Of Loving |
| Sam Fender | People Watching |
| Wolf Alice | The Clearing |
Song Of The Year (Public Vote)
Calvin Harris & Clementine Douglas – Blessings
Cynthia Erivo & Ariana Grande – Defying Gravity
Lewis Capaldi – Survive
Lola Young – Messy
Olivia Dean – Man I Need
RAYE – Where Is My Husband?
Sam Fender & Olivia Dean – Rein Me In
(+ other nominees)
International Artist
Bad Bunny – Chappell Roan – Doechii – Lady Gaga – Rosalía – Sabrina Carpenter – Taylor Swift – Tyler, The Creator
Alternative / Rock
Blood Orange – Lola Young – Sam Fender – Wet Leg – Wolf Alice
📊 Key data of the 2026 edition.
| Data | Value |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Manchester (first time outside London) |
| Date | February 28, 2026 |
| Presenter | Jack Whitehall |
| % women and non-binaries | ~70% |
| Categories with public vote | Song Of The Year, International Song |
| Confirmed live artist | Olivia Dean |
