BRIT Awards 2026: Manchester Move & Huge Category Updates Revealed!

The UK's biggest music night is getting a major shake-up! The BRIT Awards are heading to Manchester for the first time ever in 2026, with a new committee chair and some seriously exciting changes to how awards are given out.

TL;DR: Here's the Lowdown

The BRIT Awards 2026 will be held at Manchester's Co-op Live arena on February 28, 2026, marking its first time outside London.
RCA UK co-president Stacey Tang is taking charge as the new chair of the BRITs Committee, overseeing the show's creative direction.
Key award categories are evolving: "Rising Star" is now "Critics' Choice," and "Best New Artist" becomes "Breakthrough Artist," plus tougher eligibility for major awards.

Get ready, music fans! The BRIT Awards are making history in 2026 with an unprecedented move and some significant changes that promise to shake up the UK's most prestigious music night. For the first time in its nearly five-decade run, the ceremony is leaving its London roots behind and heading north to the vibrant city of Manchester. And that's not all – there's a new boss in town and a fresh look at how Britain's best musical talent gets recognized.

The Iconic BRIT Awards Are Making a Historic Move to Manchester

Mark your calendars, because on Saturday, February 28, 2026, the BRIT Awards will be lighting up the stage at Manchester's state-of-the-art Co-op Live arena. This is a massive moment for the awards, as it's the first time in its almost 50-year history that the show won't be held in London. Previously, from 2011 to 2025, The O2 arena in London was its home.

The Co-op Live arena, which just opened its doors in 2024, boasts a huge 23,500-capacity, promising an electrifying atmosphere for the UK's biggest music celebration. This move isn't just a one-off either; Manchester will host the BRITs for at least 2026 and 2027, heralding a new era for the show and a fantastic boost for the northern music scene. The decision has already been met with "amazing feedback from the local community and the industry."

Meet Stacey Tang: The Visionary Leading the BRIT Awards 2026 Committee

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Steering this historic new chapter is none other than Stacey Tang, the highly respected co-president of RCA Records UK. She's been appointed chair of the 2026 BRITs Committee and will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the show, especially its creative direction. Sony Music UK, where Tang is a senior executive, will lead the committee's oversight for the next three years, taking over from Warner Music UK.

Tang is a true powerhouse in the industry, widely celebrated for her global marketing expertise. She's spearheaded successful campaigns for a diverse range of artists, from UK talents like Cat Burns, Myles Smith, JADE, Tems, and Bring Me The Horizon, to international superstars like Beyoncé, Miley Cyrus, P!NK, SZA, Sleep Token, and Future. Plus, she was involved in the early careers of names you might recognize, like Ed Sheeran, Calvin Harris, and George Ezra!

Her experience extends beyond just chart-toppers. Stacey is deeply committed to social justice and diversity, serving on Sony Music's Social Justice Fund board and as a trustee for the Ed Sheeran Foundation. She's been recognized on Billboard's UK Power Players 2025 list and was named the fifth most influential woman in music on BBC's Women in Music list, right behind Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, and Adele – talk about impressive company!

"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!"

— Stacey Tang, Chair of the 2026 BRITs Committee

Major Award Category Changes and Eligibility Updates for 2026

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Beyond the venue, the BRITs are also shaking things up with their award categories and eligibility criteria for 2026. These changes are all about spotlighting both established and emerging talent, celebrating diversity, and showcasing British music on a global scale. Here's a rundown of what's new:

Reverting to Critics' Choice Award

The Rising Star Award is going back to its original name: the BRITs Critics’ Choice award. Introduced in 2008, this award is all about identifying the future stars of British music. It's decided by an expert panel of new music champions, including media, broadcast, and industry pros. The criteria remain the same: artists must not have yet achieved a Top 20 album or more than one Top 20 single on the UK charts.

Past winners who went on to massive success include:

Adele
Sam Smith
Sam Fender
Ellie Goulding
Florence + The Machine
Celeste
Jorja Smith
The Last Dinner Party
Myles Smith (current holder)

Introducing the Breakthrough Artist Award

The Best New Artist award is evolving into the Breakthrough Artist award. This category aims to celebrate British artists who are making a significant impact and cutting through to a wider audience. It's for musicians with a greater profile than those in the Critics' Choice category, recognizing their achievements throughout the eligibility period.

This award has a rich history, previously known as British Newcomer (1982-2002) and British Breakthrough Act (2003-2019). Recent honorees include:

The Last Dinner Party (2025)
RAYE (2024)
Wet Leg (2023)
Little Simz

Tighter Eligibility Requirements for Major BRIT Awards

For some of the biggest awards of the night, the eligibility bar is being raised. Nominees in the following categories will now need to have achieved either a Top 30 album or two Top 20 singles on the Official U.K. charts within the eligibility period (December 6, 2024, to December 4, 2025):

Artist of the Year
International Artist of the Year
Mastercard Album of the Year (LP must also reach Top 30)
Group of the Year
International Group of the Year

This is a step up from previous years, where artists were considered eligible with just one Top 40 album or two Top 20 singles. The goal is to ensure these top awards truly reflect a higher level of chart success and impact.

Genre Categories Maintain Existing Standards

Good news for genre fans! The eligibility criteria for the five genre-specific awards remain the same. Artists will still need to have achieved a Top 40 album or single on the Official U.K. charts during the eligibility period to be considered for:

Alternative/Rock
Dance
Hip-Hop/Grime/Rap
Pop
R&B

In total, 16 awards will be presented at the 2026 ceremony. Nominees are typically announced in January, selected by the BRITs voting panel (thousands of musicians and industry experts), with public voting often used for the genre categories.

Behind the Scenes: The Star-Studded Creative Team for the 2026 Show

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Bringing the vision for the 2026 BRITs to life is a top-tier creative team, working alongside Stacey Tang. This group of industry veterans is tasked with delivering a spectacular show in its new Manchester home:

Misty Buckley (Production Designer): Multi-Emmy-award winning for her incredible set designs. Her credits include tours for global artists like Elton John, U2, Coldplay, Stormzy, Ariana Grande, and Take That, as well as the London 2012 Paralympics Closing Ceremony and the Oscars. She's back to create another unforgettable stage.
Phil Heyes (Entertainment Director): A double BAFTA-winning director known for his creative approach to prime-time TV shows across major US and UK networks.
Sally Wood (BRITs TV Executive Producer): Returning to lead the production, bringing her wealth of expertise from shows like "An Evening with Elton John and Brandi Carlile" (Disney) and "Dua Lipa at the Royal Albert Hall" (ITV/CBS).
Maggie Crowe OBE (BPI's Director of Events & Charities): Overseeing the overall running of the event, ensuring everything runs smoothly.

The long-standing partnerships continue, with Mastercard as the headline sponsor for its 28th year, and ITV remaining the official broadcaster for the 33rd year, airing the awards on ITV, STV, ITVX, and STV Player.

With a fresh location, an inspiring leader, and sharpened focus on talent recognition, the BRIT Awards 2026 is shaping up to be an unmissable event for British music. Get ready for a night of innovation, celebration, and, as Stacey Tang put it, plenty of fun!

Your Burning Questions About the BRIT Awards 2026 Answered

When and where will the BRIT Awards 2026 take place?

The BRIT Awards 2026 will be held on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at the Co-op Live arena in Manchester. This is a historic move, marking the first time the ceremony has left London in almost 50 years.

Who is leading the BRIT Awards 2026 committee?

Stacey Tang, co-president of RCA Records UK and a senior Sony Music UK executive, has been appointed as the chair of the 2026 BRITs Committee. She will oversee the show's creative direction.

What are the major changes to the award categories?

The "Rising Star Award" is reverting to its original name, "Critics' Choice award," and "Best New Artist" will now be called "Breakthrough Artist." Additionally, eligibility criteria for major categories like Artist of the Year and Mastercard Album of the Year have been tightened, requiring higher chart performance (Top 30 album or two Top 20 singles).