The Brit Awards will be held in Manchester in 2026 and 2027 – the first time the ceremony has taken place outside London since the awards began in 1977
The Brit Awards are coming to Manchester for 2026 and 2027(Image: Supplied)
Organisers have today (October 31) revealed the first details of next year’s Brit Awards in Manchester as a new era for the huge music event beckons.
The celebrity-studded awards ceremony moves to its new home of Greater Manchester for 2026 and 2027, and will take place at Co-op Live next to the Etihad stadium. It represents the first time the ceremony has taken place outside London since the awards began in 1977.
Known as the most high profile music awards ceremony in the UK, organisers have said it marks a “bold new chapter for the legendary event, following nearly five decades in London and 15 years at The O2 arena”. It is the second major music ceremony this year to move up North after the Mercury Prize was held in Newcastle earlier this month.
The past 15 Brit Award ceremonies have taken place at London’s 02 Arena, and last year saw live performances from the likes of Sam Fender, Sabrina Carpenter, The Last Dinner Party and Charli xcx.
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Up until now, the only confirmed detail was the date of the awards – February 28 – and that it will be broadcast exclusively on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player live that night.
Now, bosses have confirmed more details and some major changes to the awards that will be given out. The first is that Stacey Tang, Co-President of RCA Records at Sony Music UK, has been announced as Chair of the 2026 Brit’s Committee.
Having spearheaded the move to Manchester, Sony Music UK will steer The Brits for the next three years, overseeing all aspects of the show, including the creative direction, performer bookings, hosts and categories, with the support of the Committee which is made up of representatives from the UK major and independent record labels, Brits TV, and the BPI.
Stacey Tang, Co-President of RCA Records at Sony Music UK, has been announced as Chair of the 2026 Brit’s Committee(Image: Supplied)
Stacey Tang said: “As a massive music fan I always watched the Brit Awards growing up, but revisiting the shows through the lens of Chair has given me a totally different perspective.
“Being inspired by the spectacle and show as a young person, now motivates me to create something that feels important nationally and globally, while capturing the brilliant and eccentric nuance of British music and culture.
“The decision to move to Manchester has been met with amazing feedback from the local community and the industry. To oversee a show that’s doing something for the first time feels energising but ultimately, we also want to inject fun into the proceedings and people in Manchester know how to have fun!”
In a big switch-up for the Brits, organisers have also revealed that the 2026 awards categories, eligibility and voting processes will be switched up for 2026 as two awards will be changed.
Jade Thirlwall emotionally accepts the Best Pop Act award at The BRIT Awards 2025(Image: Max Cisotti/Dave Benett/Getty Im)
The Brit Awards 2026 will see 16 awards, and for Artist of the Year, International Artist of the Year, Mastercard Album of the Year, Group of the Year, International Group of the Year, artists will need to have achieved either a Top 30 Album or two Top 20 singles in the eligibility period.
For the five genre awards Alternative/Rock, Dance, Hip Hop/Grime/Rap, Pop and R&B, the criteria remains as having achieved a Top 40 Album or Single.
The Rising Star award will revert to its original name for 2026 – the Brits Critics’ Choice award – in acknowledgement of the importance of ‘critical acclaim’ to artists at this early and crucial stage of their career.
This prestigious prize, which was introduced in 2008 to identify the future stars of British music and is decided by an expert panel of new music champions across media, broadcast and industry, has been presented to artists including Adele, Sam Smith, Sam Fender, Celeste, Jorja Smith, The Last Dinner Party and Myles Smith.
Sam Fender, winner of the Brits Critics Choice award(Image: 2019 Getty Images)
It’s designed to highlight artists at the foundational point of their career, with criteria remaining the same as previous years (artists must not have yet achieved a Top 20 album or more than one Top 20 single).
The Best New Artist award will also switch in 2026 to Breakthrough Artist, celebrating the ‘transformative point’ for British artists as they cut through to a wider audience and in support of the long-term development of artists and their progression.
Recent recipients of this award include The Last Dinner Party, RAYE, Wet Leg and Little Simz.
Elsewhere, organisers have today also revealed details of its best-in-class creative team that will deliver the 2026 show.
Multi-Emmy-award winning production designer Misty Buckley will be at the helm of the show once again to deliver another spectacular set design, for the first time at Manchester’s Co-op Live.
Raye on stage after being presented with the award for Best New Artist by Joe Keery during the Brit Awards 2024 at the O2 Arena, London. Picture date: Saturday March 2, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story SHOWBIZ Brits. Photo credit should read: James Manning/PA Wire
With numerous accolades for her production design, including another Emmy award this year, Misty’s credits include tours and productions for global artists including Elton John, U2, Coldplay, Stormzy, Ariana Grande and Take That, in addition the London 2012 Paralympics Closing Ceremony, the Opening and Closing Ceremonies for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, and the Oscars.
Double BAFTA-winning entertainment director Phil Heyes, an acclaimed specialist within Entertainment who has directed prime-time TV shows on all major US and UK networks, will apply his creative approach and vision to the 2026 Brit Awards in Manchester too.
Meanwhile, Brits TV Executive Producer Sally Wood will lead the production in its new home for 2026, bringing her wealth of expertise, with recent credits including An Evening with Elton John and Brandi Carlile for Disney and Dua Lipa at the Royal Albert Hall for ITV and CBS.
Sabrina Carpenter performs on stage during The BRIT Awards 2025 at The O2 Arena(Image: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)
Maggie Crowe OBE, BPI’s Director of Events & Charities, will oversee the overall running of the event.
Stacey Tang added: “It’s been a revelation getting to work alongside Sally, Misty, Phil and Maggie. I thought I had a good understanding around the amount of work that went into the show, but I have a new depth of respect and appreciation for the team.
“It’s an absolute gift to work with people who not only know the show inside out but know exactly how to make the impossible happen.”
Stacey is widely recognised and celebrated for her global marketing expertise, having successfully spearheaded campaigns for UK artists such as Cat Burns, Myles Smith, JADE, Tems and Bring Me The Horizon alongside international success with Beyonce, Miley Cyrus, P!NK, SZA, Sleep Token and Future.
Prior to RCA, Stacey was involved in the early careers of Ed Sheeran, Calvin Harris and George Ezra. She also sits on the board of Sony Music’s Social Justice Fund, is a trustee of the Ed Sheeran Foundation, a member of ESEA Music and has an advisory role at The Evamore Music Project (Cancer Awareness Trust).
Stacey was named on Billboard’s UK Power Players 2025 and was recognised as the fifth most influential woman in music on BBC’s Women in Music list, behind Beyoncé, Taylor Swift and Adele.
“This year we wanted to do something different, not for the sake of it, but if we’re going to talk about how creative the UK is, and have a global platform, if I see what’s been invested in Manchester or when I see what goes on in the Northern Quarter or music venues like Soup or Warehouse Project, there is a place that we can fit into because there is a culture there,” she shared with the Manchester Evening News.
Mastercard will continue their long-standing headline sponsorship of The Brits as it moves into its 28th year and ITV remain as official broadcaster for the 33rd year.