Olivia Dean Steals Show as Manchester Hosts BRIT Awards 2026
- Oliver Griffiths
- Mar 1
- 3 min read
The 2026 BRIT Awards, the United Kingdom’s biggest annual music celebration, delivered a spectacular showcase of British and international music on the night of Saturday 28th February 2026.
For the First time in its 46-year history, the ceremony took place outside London, lighting up the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester.
The standout story of the evening was British singer-songwriter Olivia Dean, walking away with four major awards:
Artist of the Year
Mastercard Album of the Year (for Art of Loving)
Best Pop Act
Song of the Year (shared with Sam Fender for Rein Me In)
Dean became the first British solo female artist to simultaneously top both the UK singles and albums charts earlier in the year, and, along with a fabulous performance of Man I Need on the BRITs stage, cemented her place in British pop music.
Alongside Dean, several artists marked major career moments:
Sam Fender continued his strong run by winning the Alternative/Rock Act and Song of the Year for Rein Me In (ft. Olivia Dean) - a win that reflects his year perfectly after completing his People Watching Tour last year.
Lola Young, a BRIT School alumna, was named Breakthrough Artist, celebrating her rise within the modern UK music scene.
Wolf Alice earned Group of the Year, with the lead singer, Ellie Rowsell, using her speech to champion grassroots music venues across the UK.
The BRITs also honoured global talent, with Rosalía receiving the International Artist of the Year award, while the award for International Song went to Rosé and Bruno Mars’ APT. Geese secured the International Group of the Year, their first BRIT award.
Other genre winners included Dave (Hip-Hop/Grime/Rap Act), SAULT (R&B Act), and a shared Dance Act prize for Fred again.., Skepta, and PlaqueBoyMax, highlighting the range of musical styles celebrated at the awards.
The ceremony paid tribute to music legends and industry icons:
PinkPantheress was named Producer of the Year, becoming the youngest and first woman to win the title.
Noel Gallagher was honoured as Songwriter of the Year for his enduring impact on British music.
Mark Ronson received the Outstanding Contribution to Music Award, acknowledged for his global influence as a producer and artist.
A moving Lifetime Achievement Award was given posthumously to Ozzy Osbourne, with an all-star tribute performance celebrating his legacy in rock music.
The show was not just about awards; it was a stage of memorable performances. Pop superstar Harry Styles opened the ceremony with the debut of his new track Aperture. At the same time, artists like RAYE, Rosalía, Sombr, Alex Warren and Dean herself delivered standout musical moments that electrified the audience. Robbie Williams and Metallica ended the night with a tribute to the late Ozzy Osbourne.
Hosting the BRIT Awards in Manchester marked more than just a change of location; it signalled a shift in cultural power. By staging the ceremony at the Co-op Live, one of Europe’s largest indoor arenas, the music industry recognised Manchester as a true national hub for entertainment.
The move delivered a significant economic boost to the city, with hotels, restaurants and local businesses benefiting from the influx of artists, media and fans.
Beyond the financial impact, it also challenged London’s long-standing dominance over major UK events, highlighting the North’s rich musical heritage and inspiring the next generation of creatives.
For a city synonymous with innovation and iconic music history, hosting the BRITs was both a celebration of its past and a statement about its future.
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