The MOBO Awards, Europe’s biggest and most influential celebration of Black music and culture, are coming to Manchester for the very first time, as part of the MOBO Organisation’s 30th anniversary celebrations.
Set to take place on Thursday 26 March 2026 at Co-op Live, this landmark edition of the awards promises to deliver “an unforgettable night of electrifying performances, powerful tributes, and culture-shaping moments.” Fans can register now at mobo.com/awards to be the first in line for updates and priority access when tickets go on sale in December.
Since 2009, the MOBO Awards have paved the way by taking celebrations to cities across the UK, shining a spotlight on Black music and culture while championing local talent and communities. From London to Liverpool, Leeds to Glasgow, Coventry to Sheffield and Newcastle, MOBO has transformed cities, stages and arenas into cultural hotspots. Now, as the MOBO Organisation steps into its 30th anniversary year, it’s bringing the MOBO magic to Manchester, a city globally renowned for its music, creative spirit and cultural influence.
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Ahead of the ceremony, MOBO is also collaborating with Manchester City Council to deliver the MOBO Fringe Festival, a week-long celebration of music, culture, and creativity in the lead-up to the awards. The free programme will feature industry panels, talent showcases, live performances and creative workshops spanning music, tech, and the arts, creating opportunities for the next generation while spotlighting Manchester’s vibrant local scene.
The MOBO Fringe Festival is a vital part of the MOBO Organisation’s ongoing commitment to celebrating music, arts, and culture while championing local creatives. Building on the success of MOBO Fringe 2025 in Newcastle, which drew thousands of attendees and delivered an estimated over £1 million in combined economic and social impact for the city and wider North East region, expect an exciting programme designed to ignite the city, empower communities, and continues to inspire audiences nationwide.
Kanya King CBE, founder and CEO of MOBO Group said: “For 30 years, MOBO has been more than an awards show – it has been a movement, shaping culture, championing creativity, and opening doors for generations of talent. This milestone is a reminder that when you celebrate culture, you don’t just preserve history – you shape the future. Three decades on, the MOBO Awards remain a powerful reminder of how music can inspire, unite, and transform lives. Manchester has always been a city of music and movement, and now, together with MOBO, we will write the next chapter of cultural history.”
Jessica Koravos, President, Oak View Group International and Director of Co-op Live, added: “Collaborating with Manchester City Council to bring the renowned MOBO Awards to Manchester further honours Co-op Live’s ambition to champion the very best in the industry, to celebrate diversity, and to mirror our host city’s world-famous cultural vibrancy. With Co-op Live, we are delighted to offer a fitting backdrop for MOBO’s prestigious 30th year ceremony, and to further showcase our state of the art, purpose-built venue carefully designed for an event not just this scale, but significance.”
MOBO is welcoming back both Prostate Cancer UK and got2b as returning partners for the 2026 awards. Prostate Cancer UK continues its vital role as the official men’s health charity partner and sponsor of the Best Male Act category, raising lifesaving awareness of Black men’s higher risk of prostate cancer and campaigning to fight health inequalities across the UK. Meanwhile, got2b returns as the official hairstyling partner for one of music’s and culture’s biggest nights.
This year’s MOBOs took place in newcastle in February, hosted by Eddie Kadi and Indiyah Polack. Bashy won Album of The Year and Best Hip-Hop Act, and special honours went to ‘King of Dancehall’ Vybz Kartel receiving the MOBO Impact Award and Dame Denise Lewis DBE receiving MOBO Paving The Way Award. Central Cee claimed his seventh MOBO win, scooping Best Male Act for the second consecutive year, which tied him with Stormzy as the most decorated rappers in MOBO history. The night was an electrifying, genre-spanning celebration of Black music with live performances from Vybz Kartel, Spice, Krept & Konan, Bashy, Odeal, Darkoo, Nova Twins, DJ AG with Pozer and LeoStayTrill, and DJ ACE with Jaz Karis, Nao, Sasha Keable, Shae Universe and Shola Ama. Catch the performance highlights on the MOBO Awards’ YouTube channel.
Since its inaugural ceremony in 1996 at London’s Grand Connaught Rooms, the MOBO Awards has become a calendar staple in the UK and its iconic trophy is now one of the highest accolades in music. The Awards have honoured music stars such as Central Cee, Stormzy, Janet Jackson, Little Simz, Davido, Rihanna, RAYE, Wizkid, Beyoncé and Jay Z, while also helping to elevate the careers of rising stars in the industry.
Recognising its unique position in popular culture, MOBO has also expanded beyond music to celebrate excellence across the arts and media. Past honourees include Hollywood star Idris Elba, who received the MOBO Paving The Way Award, acclaimed British filmmaker Steve McQueen, who was presented with with the MOBO Inspiration Award, as well as Damson Idris for his acclaimed role in Snowfall and Jacob Anderson for his performance in Interview with the Vampire.
Beyond the Awards, the MOBO Group operates year-round through pioneering initiatives such as MOBO UnSung, MOBO Help Musicians Amplified, and MOBOLISE, its career development platform connecting diverse talent to skills, opportunities, and pathways into the workforce. Together, these initiatives champion emerging artists, amplify underrepresented voices, and create meaningful opportunities that ensure MOBO’s impact continues to resonate far beyond the stage. For nearly 30 years, MOBO has proudly stood as a cultural force and an institution, celebrating the power of creativity, advocating for equality, driving social change, and empowering new voices and communities across the UK and beyond.
The 2026 hosts, performers, nominees and full line up will be announced in due course.
