The BRIT Awards are coming to Manchester!

It has been confirmed that the BRIT Awards will be held at Manchester’s Co-op Live in 2026 and 2027, the first time that the award ceremony has been held outside of London since its inception in 1977.

The awards, often dubbed the biggest event in British music, have been held at the O2 Arena for the past fifteen years. Next year’s move to the Co-op Live marks the start of a new era for the awards because they are now under the stewardship of Sony Music UK and Ireland, who are reported to have spearheaded the move to Manchester.

Chairman of Sony Music UK and Ireland, Jason Iley MBE, said:

“This is a very exciting time for The BRIT Awards. Moving to Manchester, the home of some of the most iconic and defining artists of our lifetime, will invigorate the show and build on the BRITs’ legacy of celebrating and re-investing in world-class music.”

Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, added:

“For The BRIT Awards to move out of London is a massive coup for Greater Manchester. After 48 years, it is great that this prestigious global event is about to arrive in the UK capital of music and culture.”

Pop culture fan Hannah Whiting was thrilled by the news.

“She said I’m massively excited for the BRITs to be hosted in Manchester! It’s such an exciting event regardless but to have it up North is a great opportunity to showcase more Northern artists. Manchester has such a rich musical history across such a broad range of genres and I’m really looking forward to see it celebrated by our city hosting the BRITs.”

Several bands originating from Greater Manchester have gone on to win BRIT Awards. These include Oasis, who won album of the year in 1996, with their second record, ‘(What’s the story) Morning Glory?’ and Take That, who won group of the year in 2011.

The awards will continue to be sponsored by Master Card in 2026, and will also be broadcasted on ITV 1 and ITVX. The BRITS return, this time in Manchester on Saturday 28th February 2026.