The BRITs has a new showrunner for its first edition in Manchester – RCA co-president Stacey Tang.
Having spearheaded next year’s move to Manchester at the Co-op Live arena, Sony Music UK will steer The BRITs for the next three years. The televised ceremony takes place on Saturday, February 28, 2026.
The BRIT Awards has today announced that Tang, a senior Sony Music UK exec for more than a decade, will be chair of the 2026 BRITs Committee.
In this role, Tang will take responsibility for overseeing all aspects of the show, including the creative direction, 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.
Following Warner Music’s three-year spell overseeing the ceremony, Tang takes over from Atlantic Records MD and president of promotions Damian Christian. During Christian’s term, the ceremony saw a scheduling shake-up as it moved to a prime time Saturday night slot. But now even bigger changes are taking shape with the relocation to Manchester for 2026 and 2027, following a long spell at The O2 in London.
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!”
Tang’s appointment for 2026 coincides with a period of growing optimism for British artists, including domestic success for new and returning acts including Sam Fender, Sleep Token, Olivia Dean, Myles Smith, Lola Young, Charli XCX and Jade, as well as the return of Dave and Lily Allen.
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!
Stacey Tang
As co-president of RCA Records UK, Tang is widely recognised 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 success with international artists and signings including Beyoncé, Miley Cyrus, Pink, SZA, Sleep Token and Future. Prior to RCA, Tang was involved in the early careers of Ed Sheeran, Calvin Harris and George Ezra.
Tang 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).
She was inducted into the Music Week Roll Of Honour in 2015 and was recognised as the fifth most influential woman in music on the BBC’s Women In Music list.
Award categories and criteria evolve to champion breakthrough talent
The 2026 awards categories, eligibility and voting processes will evolve for 2026, supporting The BRITs’ “ambition and vision to offer an unrivalled platform to both established and new artists, celebrate creativity and diversity, showcase standout British talent to a global audience, and create moments that live beyond the night itself”, according to the announcement.
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 category 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. It has been presented to artists including Adele, Sam Smith, Sam Fender, Celeste, Jorja Smith, The Last Dinner Party and Myles Smith.
The BRITs Critics’ Choice award is 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, in order to celebrate 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 including The Last Dinner Party, Raye, Wet Leg and Little Simz.
The BRITs in 2026 will see 16 awards presented. Under the new rules for several categories – 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.
BRITs 2026 Creative Team revealed
BRIT Awards organisers the BPI have also revealed details of its creative team that will deliver the 2026 show.
“The move to Manchester creates an unparalleled opportunity to approach the show with a fresh and innovative mindset, enabling The BRITs brand to continue growing its reach and impact,” said a statement.
Multi-Emmy-award winning production designer Misty Buckley will be at the helm of the show once again to oversee the set design – this time in a new venue, Manchester’s Co-op Live.
With multiple awards for her production design, including another Emmy this year, Buckley’s credits include tours and productions for global artists including Elton John, U2, Coldplay, Stormzy, Ariana Grande and Take That, in addition to 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, who has directed prime-time TV shows on all major US and UK networks, will apply his creative approach to the 2026 BRIT Awards in Manchester.
BRITs TV executive producer Sally Wood will return to lead the production in its new home for 2026. Her recent credits include An Evening With Elton John And Brandi Carlile for Disney and Dua Lipa At The Royal Albert Hall for ITV and CBS. Maggie Crowe OBE, BPI’s director of events & charities, will oversee the overall running of the event.
Stacey Tang said: “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.”
Mastercard will continue their long-standing headline sponsorship of The BRITs as it moves into its 28th year. ITV remains the official broadcaster for the 33rd year, with the awards airing on ITV, STV, ITVX and STV Player.
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