Brit Awards Break Tradition With First New Host City in 48 Years
The Brit Awards are making a huge change to the ceremony for the first time in nearly 50 years by relocating the entire show.
Manchester is set to host the BRITs for the first time ever, striking a momentous two-year agreement announced today.
This landmark move will see the BRIT Awards with Mastercard depart from the capital after 48 years, in a move hailed as a “massive coup for Greater Manchester”.
The UK’s most anticipated music awards ceremony will take place at Manchester’s Co-op Live in both 2026 and 2027.
The shift symbolises a “bold new chapter for the legendary event, following nearly five decades in London and 15 years at The O2 arena”, according to organisers.
The BRIT Awards 2026 has been confirmed for Saturday, February 28, and the event is set to be televised live on ITV1, ITVX, STV, and STV Player, reports the Manchester Evening News.
Historically, BRITs gatherings have attracted music royalty, with famous performances by acts such as Madonna, Coldplay, Adele, Kylie Minogue, Stormzy, Raye, Ed Sheeran, and recent performances by Charli XCX and Sabrina Carpenter at the 2025 event.
