When, where, who? Everything you need to know | UK News

The Brit Awards 2026 are set to be held in Manchester in February, relocating from London for the first time since the awards began in 1977.

The ceremony will be held at Manchester’s Co-op Live arena on Saturday 28 February.

Here’s all the details you need if you are planning to tune in.

The awards ceremony is advertised to run from 20:00 – 22:00 GMT.

General tickets for the event are currently sold out after going on sale on 9 December.

You will be able to watch the show on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player.

For those lucky few who managed to secure a ticket, the Co-op Live arena is located on Etihad Campus and can be accessed by car or public transport.

For those using public transport, the Etihad Stadium tram stop is a short walk from the venue, which is also accessible via several Bee Network bus services.

For drivers, the Co-op Live offers official venue parking, to be booked in advance, and there are also several commercial car parks within walking distance.

Comedian Jack Whitehall will be hosting the ceremony for the sixth year running.

He said it would be a “real full circle moment” to return to Manchester after beginning his comedy career in the city.

“The venue is only a stone’s throw away from the comedy club I did my first 10-minute set in all those years ago,” Whitehall said.

“Hopefully I get a few more laughs than I did that night – I cannot wait.”

There will be 16 awards up for grabs, including Artist of the Year, Album of the Year and Breakthrough Artist.

Each winner will be presented with a specially designed trophy inspired by Manchester’s bee emblem.

The Breakthrough Artist award recognises artists as they cut through to a wider audience, with recent recipients including The Last Dinner Party, RAYE, Wet Leg and Little Simz.

Only one category has announced its nominees so far – the Brits Critics’ Choice. Jacob Alon, Rose Gray and Sienna Spiro are on the shortlist.

Previous winners of this award have included Adele, Sam Smith, Sam Fender, Celeste, Jorja Smith, The Last Dinner Party and Myles Smith.