Entries for the Music Week Awards 2026 are now officially open for all categories, and that includes one that is making a long-awaited return.
After successive years of demand, for the latest edition of the ceremony we're incredibly excited to announce the re-introduction of the Venue Of The Year category in recognition of the UK’s thriving live music scene.
This category – making its return for the first time since 2014 – complements our existing category Grassroots Venue: Spirit Of The Scene in partnership with the Music Venue Trust.
It’s been an incredible year for the UK’s venues, with a host of memorable moments – from Newcastle’s Utilita Arena hosting the MOBOs and Mercury Prize to Radiohead smashing the all-time attendance record at London's The O2 and Manchester's Co-Op Live revealing it will be the new home for the BRIT Awards and MOBOs for 2026 while also being certified as a A Greener Arena. Elsewhere, £1.5 million was raised for the Together For Palestine Fund at a special live show at OVO Arena Wembley, the Royal Albert Hall hosted its 24-hour From Dark Till Dawn event at the BBC Proms festival, Halifax’s Piece Hall hosted a summer of sold out shows from huge acts in West Yorkshire, and the O2 Academy Brixton was back in full force after its significnat renovations. SSE Arena, Belfast and The OVO Hydro, Glasgow, meanwhile, hosted the Country 2 Country festival outside of London. And that's just scratching the surface of the stories from up and down the UK.
VENUE OF THE YEAR CRITERIA
Who can enter?
The new Venue Of The Year category is open to any non-grassroots venue up to capacity of 24,000, located in the UK.
EVDIENCE
The award will look to celebrate the venues' achievements across a broad set of criteria, including programming, innovation, and wider its impact on the British music industry. The judges will be looking at the following:
Programming: Details of landmark shows for both established talent, and opportunities provided to breaking talent
Innovation: Details of innovative activity and/or events that the venue has undertaken in the last year, which can include sustainability initiatives, accessibility, best practice, staff training, fan safeguarding/fan experience and more
Industry impact: The contribution to the British music industry – at both the national and local level – the venue has made in the last year
Other live sector categories at the awards include: Festival Of The Year, Grassroots Venue: Spirit Of The Scene, Live Music Agency (Company), Live Music Promoter (Company) and Ticketing Company.
KEY DATES YOU NEED TO KNOW
The Music Week Awards 2026 is your opportunity to highlight your achievements in the past 12 months in front of the entire UK music industry.
Entries deadline: 6pm on Wednesday, January 21, 2026
Shortlist announced: February 2026
Ceremony: The winners will be announced onstage at the Music Week Awards, Thursday, May 7, 2026 at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House London.
Submit your entry now to be in with a chance. Just visit our awards website, review the categories, and submit your best work.
TABLES & SPONSORSHIP
Tables and tickets are now on sale. Book early here to secure your spot in the room to ensure you’re part of this spectacular evening celebrating the industry's finest.
For entry and table booking queries, please contact Kate Smith: kate.smith@futurenet.com
If you’d like to find out about sponsorship packages for the Music Week Awards 2026, please get in touch with Lawrence Cooke: lawrence.cooke@futurenet.com
