BRIT Awards moving to Manchester in 2026 after almost 50 years in London
The BRIT Awards with Mastercard is moving from London to Manchester after almost 50 years.
The prestigious music ceremony has been held in the British capital since 1977 and first took place at the Wembley Conference Centre,before relocating to various prestigious venues over the years, including the Royal Albert Hall and Hammersmith Apollo.
In recent years it has been hosted at The O2 arena.
However, on February 28, 2026, the BRITs will be staged at the Co-op Live in Manchester.
Manchester has taken over as MediaCityUK in recent years with corporations like the BBC moving their operations from London to reduce costs and better represent audiences across the UK.
The move to Manchester also excited fans of local legends Oasis, especially after frontman Liam Gallagher jokingly teased a big announcement at 6.30am on Monday (09.06.25) with many X users suggesting it could be related to the BRITs heading to the city.
The BRIT Awards 2026 will take place on Saturday February 28, and be broadcast exclusively on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player.
The bash will remain at Co-op Live until at least 2027.
The move has been spearheaded by Sony Music UK.
Jason Iley MBE, Chairman and CEO, Sony Music UK and Ireland said: 'This is a very exciting time for The BRIT Awards. Moving to Manchester, the home of some of the most iconic and defining artists of our lifetime, will invigorate the show and build on the BRITs legacy of celebrating and reinvesting in world-class music. Hosting the show in Manchester, with its vibrant cultural history, perfectly captures the spirit and energy of the BRIT Awards. I can't wait to see the show at the amazing state-of-the art Co-op Live venue.'
Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester commented: "For The BRIT Awards to move out of London is a massive coup for Greater Manchester. After 48 years, it is great that this prestigious global event is about to arrive in the UK capital of music and culture.
Greater Manchester has an unparalleled music heritage known around the world, and this summer will play host to some of the biggest gigs on the planet. That was only made possible by our strong commitment to new talent and giving emerging artists the opportunities to make their name.
We thank our friends at the BPI for choosing Manchester and we will pull out all the stops to show they made the right decision. Celebrating the BRIT Awards right here in the home of 24 hour party people is the next chapter in its story and you can be sure that we will help them do it in style.'
The 2025 ceremony featured performances from the past year's biggest stars, including Charli xcx and Sabrina Carpenter.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
AU Financial Review
2 hours ago
- AU Financial Review
The best cup of tea in the sky and more tips from a stylish high-flyer
British handbag designer and sky-high daydreamer Anya Hindmarch is a woman on the go. Here's how she travels. From the upcoming Fin Magazine travel special out on June 14.
West Australian
3 hours ago
- West Australian
Aussie book heads top 10 list of most popular books for WA kids in Premier's Reading Challenge
A picture book by an Australian author is the most popular with WA school kids taking part in this year's Premier's Reading Challenge — even though American and British writers dominate their top 10 favourites. The Truck Cat, by Deborah Frenkel — about a cat named Tinka and his friendship with a lonely migrant truck driver — was the book most frequently logged by children taking part in the annual event. The reading challenge encourages kids from kindergarten to Year 10 in public and private schools to read at least 12 books in 12 weeks. Just one other Aussie book — Pig the Pug, by Aaron Blabey — featured in the top 10. Education Department data shows that Dog Man books by American David Pilkey took out four spots on the list, while Diary of a Wimpy Kid, by fellow US author Jeff Kinney, was second. The first two books in British author JK Rowling's series about boy wizard Harry Potter are still proving popular with youngsters more than 20 years after they were published, as is Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson. Speaking from Queensland, where she was on holiday, Melbourne-based writer Frenkel was excited to learn her book was number one with WA school kids. 'That's so wonderful to hear,' she said. 'In my mind, if kids are reading anything, that's a win. 'But if kids are also reading Australian stories that reflect the experiences of people around us right here, then that's I think even better — so a double win really.' Avid readers at Riva Primary School in Piara Waters have dived enthusiastically into the challenge, with 166 students so far notching up more than 4200 books. Principal Aaron Chaplin believed the initiative was inspiring children to read more books. 'It builds that habit and love for reading,' he said. 'We embrace it and we have a fantastic library and librarian.' Mr Chaplin said it was encouraging to see talented Australian authors on the list, adding the longevity of Harry Potter could be attributed to parents who had grown up with the series now reading it to their own children. He suggested kids were drawn to Dog Man graphic novels because they had such accessible characters. Premier Roger Cook said reading sparked imagination, brought enjoyment and even led to job opportunities. 'With so many other distractions for kids these days, instilling a love of reading has never been more challenging,' he said. 'I love to read stories by Aussie authors, and I would encourage children to read work by local authors too. But reading widely is important — different authors, different genres, different styles — all of it helps us better understand the world we live in, and that can only be a good thing.' Education Minister Sabine Winton — a former primary school teacher and mum of three — said reading was crucial for children's development. 'Reading helps children think critically and creatively, and plays an important role in shaping young minds,' she said. 'Australia has a rich history of literary talent. I want to encourage all WA students to read books by Australian authors, and authors from different backgrounds, to explore new ideas and improve their vocabulary.' The annual challenge, which aims to improve students' literacy skills by giving them a goal, began on April 7 and finishes on June 27. Children who log their reading achievements each week are also in the running for weekly prizes. Students in Years 11 and 12 were included in the challenge for the first time this year, with a goal of six or more books. An Education Department spokesperson said it was still not too late to join in the challenge, which included events featuring WA-based authors.
The Advertiser
7 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Ed Sheeran reveals why he's private about his kids
Ed Sheeran is "very, very private" about his children. The 34-year-old British pop star admits that it's difficult to raise a family while living in the public eye. Sheeran - who has daughters Lyra, four, and Jupiter, two, with his wife Cherry Seaborn - said on The Louis Theroux Podcast he was "very, very private about my children's image". "I can't take them to zoos or parks or anything really without someone trying to film them". "There are times where the normal parts of life I kind of mourn for and wish I could push my kid on a swing in a public park and it not be weird, you know?" Sheeran pointed out that his kids "have not signed up" to the pitfalls of fame and success. "People go, well that's the trade-off. But my kids have not signed up to that." Despite his best efforts, Sheeran admits that it's impossible to shield his children from fame all the time. The award-wining star prefers to take commercial flights because of environmental concerns but he conceded that it can lead to problems. "We're flying back on Ryanair from a gig in Italy last year but all of my fans who'd been at the gig were flying back! "I like the environment, I like trees. I'd find it hard to justify. No one's perfect. When we're doing intense promo trips, there will be the odd time (taking a private jet)." Sheeran believes his music career peaked with his Divide album back in 2017. But he's actually feels much happier now. "I'm kind of coasting now. I don't know if I'll ever get back up there again but (when I had) that level of fame, that was my unhappiest (time). "I'm much happier with the balance I've got now." Ed Sheeran is "very, very private" about his children. The 34-year-old British pop star admits that it's difficult to raise a family while living in the public eye. Sheeran - who has daughters Lyra, four, and Jupiter, two, with his wife Cherry Seaborn - said on The Louis Theroux Podcast he was "very, very private about my children's image". "I can't take them to zoos or parks or anything really without someone trying to film them". "There are times where the normal parts of life I kind of mourn for and wish I could push my kid on a swing in a public park and it not be weird, you know?" Sheeran pointed out that his kids "have not signed up" to the pitfalls of fame and success. "People go, well that's the trade-off. But my kids have not signed up to that." Despite his best efforts, Sheeran admits that it's impossible to shield his children from fame all the time. The award-wining star prefers to take commercial flights because of environmental concerns but he conceded that it can lead to problems. "We're flying back on Ryanair from a gig in Italy last year but all of my fans who'd been at the gig were flying back! "I like the environment, I like trees. I'd find it hard to justify. No one's perfect. When we're doing intense promo trips, there will be the odd time (taking a private jet)." Sheeran believes his music career peaked with his Divide album back in 2017. But he's actually feels much happier now. "I'm kind of coasting now. I don't know if I'll ever get back up there again but (when I had) that level of fame, that was my unhappiest (time). "I'm much happier with the balance I've got now." Ed Sheeran is "very, very private" about his children. The 34-year-old British pop star admits that it's difficult to raise a family while living in the public eye. Sheeran - who has daughters Lyra, four, and Jupiter, two, with his wife Cherry Seaborn - said on The Louis Theroux Podcast he was "very, very private about my children's image". "I can't take them to zoos or parks or anything really without someone trying to film them". "There are times where the normal parts of life I kind of mourn for and wish I could push my kid on a swing in a public park and it not be weird, you know?" Sheeran pointed out that his kids "have not signed up" to the pitfalls of fame and success. "People go, well that's the trade-off. But my kids have not signed up to that." Despite his best efforts, Sheeran admits that it's impossible to shield his children from fame all the time. The award-wining star prefers to take commercial flights because of environmental concerns but he conceded that it can lead to problems. "We're flying back on Ryanair from a gig in Italy last year but all of my fans who'd been at the gig were flying back! "I like the environment, I like trees. I'd find it hard to justify. No one's perfect. When we're doing intense promo trips, there will be the odd time (taking a private jet)." Sheeran believes his music career peaked with his Divide album back in 2017. But he's actually feels much happier now. "I'm kind of coasting now. I don't know if I'll ever get back up there again but (when I had) that level of fame, that was my unhappiest (time). "I'm much happier with the balance I've got now." Ed Sheeran is "very, very private" about his children. The 34-year-old British pop star admits that it's difficult to raise a family while living in the public eye. Sheeran - who has daughters Lyra, four, and Jupiter, two, with his wife Cherry Seaborn - said on The Louis Theroux Podcast he was "very, very private about my children's image". "I can't take them to zoos or parks or anything really without someone trying to film them". "There are times where the normal parts of life I kind of mourn for and wish I could push my kid on a swing in a public park and it not be weird, you know?" Sheeran pointed out that his kids "have not signed up" to the pitfalls of fame and success. "People go, well that's the trade-off. But my kids have not signed up to that." Despite his best efforts, Sheeran admits that it's impossible to shield his children from fame all the time. The award-wining star prefers to take commercial flights because of environmental concerns but he conceded that it can lead to problems. "We're flying back on Ryanair from a gig in Italy last year but all of my fans who'd been at the gig were flying back! "I like the environment, I like trees. I'd find it hard to justify. No one's perfect. When we're doing intense promo trips, there will be the odd time (taking a private jet)." Sheeran believes his music career peaked with his Divide album back in 2017. But he's actually feels much happier now. "I'm kind of coasting now. I don't know if I'll ever get back up there again but (when I had) that level of fame, that was my unhappiest (time). "I'm much happier with the balance I've got now."
