9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Brit Awards in huge shake-up as show makes massive change for the first time in 46 year history
THE BRIT Awards are facing a huge shake-up for the first time in its 46-year history.
The annual music ceremony is leaving London for the first time ever.
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The BRIT Awards are moving to the Co-Op Live in Manchester for 2026 and 2027
Credit: PA
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US star Sabrina Carpenter performed at this year's ceremony in London
Credit: Getty
As part of a new strategy move, Manchester will become the home of the ceremony - with the city's
A new partnership means the iconic ceremony will be heading up North for the first time ever.
Since 2011, it has been held at The O2 Arena and was held at iconic London venues including Earls
Court
and the Royal Albert Hall prior to that.
2026 marks the first year under a new three-year stewardship under
Sony
Music UK who will oversee the ceremony's transition to Manchester.
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The first ceremony to be held at
Europe
's biggest indoor arena - the Co-Op Live - will take place on Saturday 28th February and be broadcast on
ITV
.
The BRITs will also unveil a new chair of their commitee as part of deal with Sony Music UK at a later date.
This role includes overseeing all aspects of the show including performer bookings, hosts, show creative and categories, will be announced at a later date.
Speaking of the
news
, Jason Iley MBE, Chairman and CEO at Sony Music UK &
Ireland
said: 'This is a very exciting time for The BRIT Awards.
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"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.
Maura Higgins, Sabrina Carpenter and Maya Jama look incredible as they lead the glamour at The Brit Awards 2025
"I can't wait to see the show at the amazing state-of-the art Co-op Live venue.'
Bev Craig, the Leader of
Manchester City
Council added:
'
This is a massive boost for Manchester and we are delighted that The BRITs will be coming here for the first time in its history.
"Manchester is at the forefront of the UK music scene, from our iconic grassroots scene through to major events and this news is a major vote of confidence in Manchester.
"We have got here through a great partnership between the BPI, Co-op Live, Sony Music as well as our own businesses in the city and we hope this is the beginning of a long and successful partnership.'
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Jade was another performer at this year's event
Credit: Getty
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Charli XCX was 2025's big winner
Credit: Getty
Successful artists to emerge from Manchester include The Stone Roses, Joy Division, New Order, Happy Mondays, Take That, The 1975 and Aitch.
The city is also home to Oasis with rumours likely to go into overdrive that the Gallagher brothers could perform at
next
year's ceremony in their home city following the completion of their iconic reunion tour later this year.
Mastercard will continue their long-standing headline sponsorship of the ceremony which will mark their 28th year supporting the event.
Further information on nominees and ceremony performers are expected to be announced in 2026.
This year's ceremony was dominated by
Sabrina Carpenter and Jade were among the performers at the event held at The O2 Arena.
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Sabrina turned up the heat with her raunchy performance
Credit: Rex