The full nominations for the BRIT Awards 2026 have dropped, with Olivia Dean and Lola Young emerging as the standout names ahead of the ceremony’s first-ever move to Manchester.
The awards will take place on 28 February at Co-op Live, marking a significant cultural moment for the city as it becomes the centre of the UK music industry for one of its biggest nights.
Both Dean and Young are nominated for Artist of the Year, with Dean also shortlisted for Album of the Year for The Art of Loving and Song of the Year for Man I Need. Young, meanwhile, features across multiple categories including Song of the Year (Messy), Best Pop Act, Best Alternative/Rock Act, and Breakthrough Artist, underlining her breakout year.
They face competition in Artist of the Year from the likes of Sam Fender, Little Simz, Dave, Fred again.. and Self Esteem.
Manchester’s wider creative moment is also reflected in the scale of this year’s programme. Alongside the ceremony itself, organisers are rolling out the first-ever BRITs Fringe, a city-wide series of events designed to spotlight grassroots talent, emerging artists and the contemporary scenes shaping UK music.
The Fringe is being delivered by Brighter Sound, working with Manchester Music City, and supported by Manchester City Council, Greater Manchester Combined Authority and the Manchester Accommodation BID.
At the centre of it sits FRINGE LAB, a one-day music industry forum and showcase at New Century Hall on 27 February, the eve of the awards, alongside development programmes for young people hosted at Band on the Wall, Royal Northern College of Music and Manchester Metropolitan University’s School of Digital Arts.
This year’s nominations also underline the international pull of the ceremony, with Taylor Swift, Bad Bunny, Sabrina Carpenter and Tyler, The Creator all shortlisted in international categories.
The 2026 ceremony will once again be hosted by Jack Whitehall, while the Critics’ Choice Award has already been won by Jacob Alon.
With the nominations now confirmed and a packed programme unfolding across the city, Manchester’s role is being positioned as more than just host. As the industry, artists and global spotlight converge on the city, the 2026 BRIT Awards look set to be as much about place and participation as trophies — with Olivia Dean and Lola Young leading the charge.
Full List of 2026 BRIT Awards Nominations
Artist of the Year
- Dave
- Fred again..
- JADE
- Lily Allen
- Little Simz
- Lola Young
- Olivia Dean
- PinkPantheress
- Sam Fender
- Self Esteem
Group of the Year
- The Last Dinner Party
- Pulp
- Sleep Token
- Wet Leg
- Wolf Alice
Album of the Year
- The Boy Who Played The Harp — Dave
- West End Girl — Lily Allen
- The Art of Loving — Olivia Dean
- People Watching — Sam Fender
- The Clearing — Wolf Alice
Song of the Year
- Blessings — Calvin Harris & Clementine Douglas
- The Days (Notion Remix) — Chrystal & Notion
- Defying Gravity — Cynthia Erivo (feat. Ariana Grande)
- Azizam — Ed Sheeran
- Victory Lap — Fred again.., Skepta & PlaqueBoyMax
- Survive — Lewis Capaldi
- Messy — Lola Young
- Nice To Meet You — Myles Smith
- Man I Need — Olivia Dean
- Where Is My Husband! — Raye
- Rein Me In — Sam Fender (with Olivia Dean)
- Family Matters — Skye Newman
International Artist of the Year
- Bad Bunny
- Chappell Roan
- CMAT
- Doechii
- Lady Gaga
- Rosalía
- Sabrina Carpenter
- Sombr
- Taylor Swift
- Tyler, The Creator
International Group of the Year
- Geese
- Haim
- Huntr/x, Ejae / Audrey Nuna/ Rei Ami
- Tame Impala
- Turnstile
International Song of the Year
- Ordinary — Alex Warren
- Pink Pony Club — Chappell Roan
- No Broke Boys — Disco Lines & Tinashe
- Sailor Song — Gigi Perez
- That’s So True — Gracie Abrams
- Golden — Huntr/x, Ejae / Audrey Nuna/ Rei Ami
- Die With A Smile — Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars
- Love Me Not — Ravyn Lenae
- APT. — Rosé & Bruno Mars
- Manchild — Sabrina Carpenter
- Undressed — Sombr
- The Fate of Ophelia — Taylor Swift
Breakthrough Artist
- Barry Can’t Swim
- EsDeeKid
- Jim Legxacy
- Lola Young
- Skye Newman
Critics’ Choice
- Jacob Alon (winner)
- Rose Gray
- Sienna Spiro
Best Alternative / Rock Act
- Blood Orange
- Lola Young
- Sam Fender
- Wet Leg
- Wolf Alice
Best Pop Act
- Jade
- Lily Allen
- Lola Young
- Olivia Dean
- Raye
Best Hip-Hop / Rap / Grime Act
- Central Cee
- Dave
- Jim Legxacy
- Little Simz
- Loyle Carner
Best R&B Act
- Jim Legxacy
- Kwn
- Mabel
- Sasha Keable
- Sault
Best Dance Act
- Calvin Harris & Clementine Douglas
- FKA twigs
- Fred again.., Skepta & PlaqueBoyMax
- PinkPantheress
- Sammy Virji
Producer of the Year
- To be confirmed
Songwriter of the Year
- To be confirmed
