The BRIT Awards 2026 with Mastercard today shares details of a bold, citywide cultural programme as the countdown continues to the biggest night in British music. The excitement is palpable across the city and wider North West region as it gears up to celebrate the BRITs’ debut show in its new Manchester home, the Co-op Live, on Saturday 28th February, when the world’s biggest stars arrive for a jam-packed show broadcast live exclusively on ITV and ITVX.
From a curated art trail championing North-West artists to a bespoke exhibition showcasing iconic music artwork; with new details announced for FRINGE LAB, delivered by Brighter Sound and Manchester Music City, and a number of BRITs Week for War Child, Delivered by DHL shows taking place in Manchester; alongside an in-conversation event with one of Manchester’s musical pioneers to a special zine celebrating the BRITs and the city; plus free tram travel for BRITs ticketholders whilst hundreds of students from Manchester universities have been invited into the front of stage pit to attend – this calendar of activity will transform the city into a cultural playground and place Manchester at the heart of the BRITs.
To find out more about each piece of activity and see how the BRITs is taking over Manchester, visit brits.co.uk/manchester
Thursday 12th February – Monday 16th March
The BRITs Art Trail
Northern Quarter and Ancoats
Curated by renowned Manchester artist Stanley Chow and produced by local creative producers Wild in Art, this citywide art trail will bring Manchester’s streets to life across the Northern Quarter and Ancoats from Thursday 12th February. Featuring work from 21 North-West artists, the trail will unfold across striking wall murals, immersive window installations and bold billboard takeovers, transforming everyday city spaces into an open air gallery.
Celebrating Manchester’s vibrant creative community, the trail invites audiences to explore the city through art in the build up to the BRIT Awards, placing local talent front and centre across some of its most well known areas.
Featuring 21 artists including Stanley Chow, Kim Thompson, The Hammo, Jay Sharples, Oskar with a K, Clare Birtwistle, Caroline Dowsett, Pete Obsolete, Qubek, Jonathan Edwards, Rick Hyde, Florence Burns, David Bailey, Daren Newman, himHallows, Jessica Lee, Luke Insect, Charlie Cross, Barney Ibbotson, Dotto and Bed Studio.
Stanley Chow said: “I’m immensely proud to be asked to curate the Art Trail around The BRIT Awards 2026 with Mastercard in Manchester, especially as a proud Manc. It also gives me great pleasure to showcase some of the great artistic talents we have in the North-West too.”
A Microdot Design by Brian Cannon, pop-up retrospective exhibition
Manchester Piccadilly Station, 12-6pm
A Microdot Design by Brian Cannon is a bespoke gallery experience celebrating over three decades of iconic British music artwork and design, spanning 1990 – 2026. Designed and built by Manchester based design company M3 Industries, the exhibition will showcase designer and art director Cannon’s unmistakable visual legacy through work created for some of the most influential artists of the era, including Oasis, The Verve, Cast, Ruthless Rap Assassins, New Fast Automatic Daffodils, Inspiral Carpets, The Lathums and Super Furry Animals.
Taking over Manchester Piccadilly Station’s concourse from Tuesday 17th February to Sunday 1st March, the exhibition will transform the landmark space into a cultural destination ahead of the BRITs. Visitors should be aware that most train services will not run into Manchester Piccadilly station between Saturday 14th – Sunday 22nd February while major improvement work takes place. However, the station concourse is open as normal and Bee Network tram services will continue to run into the station.
Entry is free, with advance timed tickets available to book here.
Brian Cannon said: “I established Microdot in Manchester in 1990, and since then, I have worked with many artists from the city and the wider North-West area. I was delighted, therefore, to be asked to curate an exhibition to celebrate The BRIT Awards 2026 with Mastercard’s first visit to Manchester showcasing my work for musicians from the region. The retrospective exhibition includes some classic pieces that most people will be familiar with, alongside some lesser-known work from my archive.”
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Friday 20th February
The Rodeo BRITs special edition zine
Selected locations (UNITOM, Piccadilly Records, Night & Day Cafe, The Rat & Pigeon, Fred Aldous, Ezra & Gil, The Bayhorse Tavern, Cane & Grain, Smithfield Social, Jimmy’s, Pollen, Cloudwater)
To celebrate The BRITs coming to Manchester for the first time, independent Manchester music magazine The Rodeo are producing a special limited edition zine. The zine will feature interviews with some nominated artists, words from people across Manchester’s vibrant music scene, as well as showcasing all the events taking place in Manchester around The BRIT Awards with Mastercard, and interviews with some of the people behind them. The issue will launch on Friday 20th February and will be available in selected shops, record shops, music venues, cafes and bars.
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Friday 27th February
FRINGE LAB
New Century Hall
Further details have been confirmed for BRITs Fringe, the week-long programme celebrating Greater Manchester’s music scene in the lead-up to The BRIT Awards. Under the banner ‘Manchester Seen and Heard’, BRITs Fringe harnesses The BRIT Awards’ global platform to amplify grassroots creativity, elevate local voices and connect emerging talent with the wider music industry. At the centre of this year’s programme is FRINGE LAB, a one-day music industry forum, mixer and live showcase at New Century Hall on Friday 27th February. The newly announced daytime line-up features YolanDa Brown OBE DL, Jamz Supernova (BBC 6 Music), Rich Castillo (Lionbear Music), The Lottery Winners, Donae’O, Zed Bias, Låpsley, Sam Potts (AWAL), Scott Lewis (EMI North) and Mark Lippmann (Scruff of the Neck). The wider Fringe programme includes 3 days of workshops for young musicians looking to take their first professional steps into the music industry, and a partnership with Reform Radio’s Soundcamp. More information about BRITs Fringe can be found at www.brightersound.com/brits-fringe
Kate Lowes, Director at Brighter Sound, said: “We’re thrilled to be announcing some of the incredible artists and industry figures joining us for BRITs Fringe – with more to be announced in the coming days. The line-up reflects both the calibre and generosity of people ready to share knowledge and open doors for the next generation. We’ve had a fantastic response from local creatives and can’t wait to welcome everyone to our events in the week leading up to the awards. From development sessions to live showcases, we’re focused on creating clear, meaningful pathways for Greater Manchester talent.”
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Saturday 28th February
Manchester Must Dance. An afternoon with Mike Pickering in conversation with Graeme Park
The Social, Aviva Studios, Factory International, 2pm
Celebrating Manchester-born musician, DJ and songwriter Mike Pickering, this special event spotlights one of the city’s true cultural pioneers. Guests will hear an exclusive preview of Mike’s forthcoming book Manchester Must Dance, alongside his take on the music, moments and movements that shaped his groundbreaking career.
Taking place at The Social at Aviva Studios, Factory International, the event will feature an in-conversation hosted by legendary house music DJ Graeme Park, with a live audience Q&A offering a rare opportunity to hear directly from Mike himself. Tickets are available here.
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Saturday 28th February
Free Tram Travel
BRITs ticketholders travelling to and from the Co-op Live on Saturday 28th February will travel free of charge on Manchester’s Metrolink tram system, by presenting their event ticket to conductors.
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Saturday 28th February
University students
Hundreds of students invited from Manchester universities will watch the show from the heart of the Co-op Live on Saturday 28th February, cheering on the 2026 winners and performers from special audience pit areas at the front of the stage.
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Various dates
BRITs Week for War Child, Delivered by DHL
Various venues
A number of BRITs Week for War Child, Delivered by DHL shows are taking place in Manchester, as part of the biggest year yet for the unique series of gigs which offer fans the rare opportunity to see intimate, one-off performances from some of the most exciting names in music, in some of the UK’s most-loved, smaller venues. Artists playing in Manchester this year, in support of War Child’s vital work supporting children affected by conflict, include The K’s at Gorilla on 20th February,The Warehouse Project has partnered with War Child to bring Josh Baker to YES on 25th February and Rossi. to the same venue on 26th February, while Olivia Dean takes the stage at Albert Hall on 26th February, and Robbie Williams will be at Aviva Studios Manchester on 27th February.
Tickets and further information can be found here
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Dr Jo Twist OBE, BPI Executive, said: “At the heart of The BRITs is an amazing awards show that celebrates the brilliant breadth of British and international music that has resonated in British culture over the last year. But for the first time we are also pleased to be able to showcase Manchester’s rich musical heritage that has shaped generations nationally and on the global stage. This program of events will connect with Manchester’s communities and amplify The BRITs across the city region in a way that will create a lasting cultural impact.
“From The BRITs Art Trail to the Microdot Design exhibition, the FRINGE LAB and Mastercard’s Mic Drop Talks, The Rodeo BRITs special edition zine and of course the BRITs Week gigs in aid of War Child, The 2026 BRIT Awards and our valued partners will enjoy an intimate relationship with Manchester that will transform this creative powerhouse into a memorable cultural playground.”
Councillor Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “Music, culture, and creativity are a massive part of Manchester’s DNA and together have played a significant role in the growth of the city and continue to do so – helping shape both what the city is today and what it will be tomorrow.
“We’re known across the globe for our creativity and for our brilliant music scene, which is what makes Manchester and The BRITs such a fantastic fit for each other. Hosting the first-ever BRIT Awards to take place outside London is a really big deal. It’s got the whole city buzzing, and showcases the growing success of our city and the opportunities we’re creating for people.
“And with the first-ever BRITs Fringe, plus an epic BRITs takeover of the city in the run-up to the event, creating lots of opportunities for artists and others to get involved – with music, masterclasses, murals and more – we’re in no doubt that this year’s BRITs here in Manchester will be the stuff of absolute legend, and we can’t wait to welcome everyone.”
Damaris Rex-Taylor, Managing Director, RCA/Sony Music said: “The move from London to Manchester for The BRITs was never about just lifting it into another space. Manchester are leaders in arts and culture, so we wanted to respect that by amplifying what has already been built, through music, art, legacy, and people. Manchester has such an impressive breadth of creatives and leading on activations that celebrate artists such as Stanley Chow, and the wealth of talented artists on the art trail, alongside Brian Cannon and his Microdot archive, is a brilliant opportunity and a great example of displaying the plural nature of music. Working alongside Manchester City Council, The BPI, as well as my Sony colleagues Stacey Tang (Chair 2026 BRITs committee) and Simon Forbes (Director of Marketing RCA), and Beth Parnell (bandwagon) on these curations has been an excellent experience, inspired by how much Manchester values art and culture. ”
Debuting at its new Manchester home, the Co-op Live, on Saturday 28th February The BRIT Awards will be broadcast live exclusively on ITV and ITVX. Harry Styles, Mark Ronson, Olivia Dean, ROSALÍA and Wolf Alice will perform on the night, with more to be announced in the coming weeks. Mark Ronson will be honoured with the BRIT Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music and Noel Gallagher for Songwriter of the Year.
Award-winning comedian and writer Jack Whitehall returns to host the show, and the winners of each category will each take home the iconic BRITs trophy, this year conceptualised and designed by internationally acclaimed and Manchester-born designer Matthew Williamson, inspired by his roots to the city.
Leading the charge for this year’s nominations are Olivia Dean and Lola Young with five nominations each, closely followed by Sam Fender with four nominations following his Mercury Prize win last year. Other British artists up for awards this year include Lily Allen, Calvin Harris, JADE, Wolf Alice, Ed Sheeran, Little Simz, PinkPantheress, RAYE, Skye Newman, Wet Leg and more. British icons Pulp have received their first nomination since 1996.
Hollywood is also represented in this year’s nominations, with two of 2025’s biggest cultural moments featured with Cynthia Erivo for her rendition of Wicked’s ‘Defying Gravity’ and KPop Demon Hunter’s ‘Golden’ from HUNTR/X – EJAE / Audrey Nuna / REI AMi. A number of artists have received nominations across International categories too, including Bad Bunny, Doechii, ROSALÍA, sombr, Chappell Roan, CMAT, Sabrina Carpenter, Taylor Swift, HAIM and Tame Impala.
Scottish singer/songwriter Jacob Alon is the winner of this year’s BRITs Critics’ Choice. Rose Gray and SIENNA SPIRO joined Jacob on the shortlist of the prestigious Critics’ Choice award.
Mastercard will continue their long-standing headline sponsorship of The BRITs as it moves into its 29th year. ITV remains the official broadcaster for the 34th year, with the awards airing on ITV, STV, ITVX and STV Player.
These partnerships are vital in supporting and amplifying The BRITs’ vision and values, including fundraising for the awards’ charitable arm, The BRIT Trust, with a core pillar of the Trust the distribution of funds to charities which promote education and wellbeing through music, including The BRIT School and Nordoff and Robbins Music Therapy.
