Brit Awards 2026: Ceremony To Leave London For New Home In Manchester

Brit Awards bosses have announced that next year’s event will be taking place outside of London for the first time.

For the last 15 years, the biggest night in British music has been held at London’s O2 Arena, but it will find a new home in 2026.

On Monday morning, it was revealed that next year’s Brits will be taking place in Manchester, at the newly-opened Co-Op Live arena.

The ceremony will also retain its controversial Saturday night spot, with next year’s event taking place on 28 February.

It’s also been confirmed the 2027 Brits will retain its home at the Co-Op Live in Manchester.

Jo Twist, the CEO of the BPI, which organises the Brits each year, said: “The Brit Awards have helped to tell the story of British music in all its brilliant diversity, capturing some of its most memorable moments, and this groundbreaking move to Manchester will only add to its rich legacy.

“This exciting new chapter celebrates not only the city’s exceptional musical heritage and its status as a powerhouse of British creativity, but the great depth of artistic energy and potential that exists all across the UK.

“I feel sure it will fire the imagination of fans, artists and the wider music community alike, and we look forward to sharing the experience with them.”

Meanwhile, Jason Iley, the chairman of Sony Music UK – who will oversee the Brits for the next three years – said the move to Manchester would “invigorate the show and build on the Brits legacy of celebrating and reinvesting in world-class music”, hailing the city as “the home of some of the most iconic and defining artists of our lifetime”.

The Brits follows major British music awards ceremonies like the Mobos and the Ivor Novellos in hosting outside of London in recent years.

A host for the 2026 Brit Awards is yet to be announced.

Jack Whitehall presented this year’s awards show back in March, having previously fronted the event in 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021.

Charli XCX was the top winner at the 2025 Brits, scooping five awards in a near-clean sweep, while Chappell Roan also picked up two awards for International Artist Of The Year and Best International Song.

Scene-stealers on the night included Sabrina Carpenter and Jade, whose respective performances raised eyebrows in different ways.