The BRIT Awards is leaving London for the first time in its 48-year history.
The celebration of British music is leaving the capital, where it has spent the last 15 years of its long run in London at The O2, and heading to Manchester. Barely a year after it opened, the city’s Co-op Live venue has signed a deal to stage the BRITs in 2026 and 2027.
The BRIT Awards with Mastercard will take place on Saturday, February 28, broadcast exclusively on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player. This will be the first of three years under the stewardship of Sony Music UK, who took over from Warner Music UK after this year’s show.
Manchester has a strong claim to host the BRITs, with a musical legacy including The Smiths, Harry Styles, The Stone Roses, Joy Division, New Order, Happy Mondays, Take That, The 1975, Aitch, Blossoms and Courteeners. The announcement also comes ahead of this summer’s reunion tour from the city’s biggest band, Oasis.
“As the world gears up for the highly anticipated tour this summer from Manchester’s prodigal sons Oasis, this groundbreaking new bond between one of the UK’s most industrious and thriving metropolitan cities and the biggest night in UK music and entertainment will continue to showcase the very best in not only British, but global music, creativity and talent, and evolve what The BRIT Awards can be as it nears five decades of championing new music,” said a statement.
The move away from the capital is part of an industry trend that will see this autumn’s Mercury Prize ceremony head to Newcastle, which was also home to the MOBOs this year.
It’s also a significant development for the Co-op Live arena, which Oak View Group launched in May last year. Co-founder and CEO Tim Leiweke previously took the BRITs from Earls Court to The O2, during his spell as CEO & president of AEG.
Despite a troubled launch with technical problems and delays, the £365 million Co-op Live development has quickly become a major venue for global acts. Robbie Williams plays two shows this week, while there are upcoming concerts from Olivia Rodrigo, Billie Eilish and Drake.
“Our goal is to show that Manchester can punch as hard as London in terms of ticket sales,” Jessica Koravos, president, Oak View Group International, told Music Week last year.
Co-op Live was recently named New Concert Venue of the Year (International) at the 2025 Pollstar 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 reinvesting in world-class music
Jason Iley
The weekend slot for the BRITs has remained in place for 2026 following the move to a Saturday night in 2023, which delivered a ratings boost, although that initial audience surge has faded somewhat in the last couple of years. But the interest generated by the move to Manchester – along with the inclusion of some big UK and global acts performing, with perhaps some local legends in the mix – could help to deliver a revival in ratings next year.
Sony Music UK’s chair of the BRITs Committee – effectively the showrunner who oversees all aspects including performer bookings, hosts, show creative and categories – will be announced at a later date.
Jason Iley MBE, chairman and CEO, Sony Music UK & Ireland, 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 reinvesting in world-class music. Hosting the show in Manchester, with its vibrant cultural history, perfectly captures the spirit and energy of the BRIT Awards. I can’t wait to see the show at the amazing state-of-the art Co-op Live venue.”
Tim Leiweke, co-founder and CEO of Oak View Group, said: "The BRITs are the most important music event in the UK and were always the highlight of the year, not only because of its immense cultural contribution, but because of their commitment to improving the lives of youth through music. It is our honour to partner with our friends at BPI and Sony Music, alongside the great city of Manchester, to host the BRITs at Co-op Live and join in their mission to create opportunities for youth through music. With Co-op Live, Manchester is embarking on another chapter in its rich musical journey, and others will soon learn what we know to be true, that Manchester is one of the greatest emerging markets in the UK for business, music and culture."
Manchester is one of the greatest emerging markets in the UK for business, music and culture
Tim Leiweke
As well as a culturally significant result for the city, the relocation for the BRITs is potentially a political boost for Andy Burnham, the music-friendly Mayor of Greater Manchester. Burnham has attended the BRITs in London in the past, worked with UK Music on a Greater Manchester music report and used to pick his Artist Of The Month with BBC Radio Manchester.
“For The BRIT Awards to move out of London is a massive coup for Greater Manchester,” said Burnham. “After 47 years, it is great that this prestigious global event is about to arrive in the UK capital of music and culture.
“Greater Manchester has an unparalleled music heritage known around the world, and this summer will play host to some of the biggest gigs on the planet. That was only made possible by our strong commitment to new talent and giving emerging artists the opportunities to make their name.”
He added: “We thank our friends at the BPI for choosing Manchester and we will pull out all the stops to show they made the right decision. Celebrating the BRIT Awards right here in the home of 24 hour party people is the next chapter in its story and you can be sure that we will help them do it in style.”
Bev Craig, leader of Manchester City Council, said: “This is a massive boost for Manchester and we are delighted that The BRITs will be coming here for the first time in its history. Manchester is at the forefront of the UK music scene, from our iconic grassroots scene through to major events and this news is a major vote of confidence in Manchester. We have got here through a great partnership between the BPI, Co-op Live, Sony Music as well as our own businesses in the city and we hope this is the beginning of a long and successful partnership.”
As we approach the 50th anniversary, it is hard to imagine a more fitting and imaginative way to celebrate this special landmark and to keep the music alive
YolanDa Brown
Dr Jo Twist OBE, BPI CEO and BRITs Committee member, said: “The BRIT Awards have helped to tell the story of British music in all its brilliant diversity, capturing some of its most iconic 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.”
YolanDa Brown OBE DL, BPI chair, said: "I believe that music touches everyone wherever they are and it is important that this is reflected by our industry in its strategy around a regional talent pipeline, touring, access to music education and more. So you can appreciate my delight at The BRIT Awards moving out of London for the first time ever, making that special connection with music fans in Manchester and the North of England. A city and region that has given us so much iconic music over the years and remains the home of such wonderful, diverse talent. As we approach the 50th anniversary of the first ever BRIT Awards in 1977, it is hard to imagine a more fitting and imaginative way to celebrate this special landmark and to keep the music alive.”
Katie Rawcliffe, director of entertainment & daytime, said: "ITV is for everyone, no matter where in the UK you live. As someone who grew up in the North, I'm so excited that The BRITs is coming live from Manchester this year for the very first time in its 48-year rich musical history."
The BRITs in 2026 and 2027 will continue to raise funds to support education and wellbeing for young people through The BRIT Trust, which supports the BRIT School in south London and nationwide music therapy charity Nordoff & Robbins, among other organisations.
Mastercard will continue their long-standing headline sponsorship – now in its 28th year – and ITV will continue to be The BRITs’ official broadcaster, now going into their 33rd year.
PHOTO: (L-R) Dr Jo Twist OBE (BPI CEO), Bev Craig (Leader of Manchester City Council), Jason Iley MBE (Chairman and CEO, Sony Music UK & Ireland), Jessica Koravos (President, Oak View Group International), Andy Burnham (Mayor of Greater Manchester), Roel de Vries (Group Chief Operating Officer, City Football Group & Executive Board Member, Co-op Live), YolanDa Brown OBE DL (BPI chair), Guy Dunstan (Senior Vice President & General Manager, Co-op Live)
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