BRIT Awards 2026 hosted by Jack Whitehall in Manchester tonight, Olivia Dean leads with 5 nods

Show summary Hide summary

• 🔥 Quick Facts
• Historic Manchester Milestone Sets Stage for Epic Night
• Olivia Dean Dominates with Record-Breaking Five Nominations
• Star-Studded Performances and International Excellence
• Women Artists Make Historic Impact at Record-Breaking Ceremony
• Will Olivia Dean sweep the awards and cement her breakthrough year status?
  • Sources

Jack Whitehall is hosting the BRIT Awards 2026 in Manchester tonight, marking the ceremony’s historic first move outside London. Olivia Dean leads with five nominations, poised for a breakthrough night in UK’s biggest music awards.

Historic Manchester Milestone Sets Stage for Epic Night

For the first time in 49 years, the BRIT Awards have left their London home to celebrate British music in the vibrant heart of Manchester. The move represents a watershed moment for the awards, taking the ceremony to Co-op Live Arena, one of the city’s most prestigious venues. Jack Whitehall, returning as host for his sixth consecutive year, brings emotional weight to the occasion, having kickstarted his comedy career in Manchester decades ago. The ceremony will showcase 16 award categories, featuring some of the biggest names in music performing live on stage.

Olivia Dean Dominates with Record-Breaking Five Nominations

Olivia Dean, the 26-year-old soul-pop sensation, arrives at the BRITs as the standout nominee with five nods, making her the joint-leading candidate alongside Lola Young. Dean conquered 2025 with her second album The Art of Loving and blockbuster hits including Man I Need and Nice to Each Other. She also won the Grammy Award for Best New Artist in January, giving her colossal momentum heading into tonight. Nominated for Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, and Song of the Year twice for her collaboration with Sam Fender on Rein Me In, Dean is positioned to potentially win big. The London-born artist will perform live, marking her BRITs stage debut and a full-circle moment after attending Brit School years earlier.

Category	Frontrunner	Notable Nominees
Artist of the Year	Olivia Dean	Sam Fender, Lily Allen, Lola Young
Album of the Year	Sam Fender (People Watching)	Olivia Dean, Lily Allen, Wolf Alice
Song of the Year	Myles Smith (92% prediction)	Fred Again/Skepta, Olivia Dean
Performance Highlight	Harry Styles Debut	Robbie Williams Ozzy Tribute

Star-Studded Performances and International Excellence

Tonight’s ceremony features 10+ confirmed performances spanning diverse genres and global talent. Harry Styles marks his live TV debut from his new album Kiss All The Time, Disco, Occasionally, making his Co-op Live appearance a major moment in music television. Olivia Dean will perform alongside Wolf Alice, RAYE, Rosalía, and Mark Ronson, who receives the Outstanding Contribution to Music award. The ceremony culminates in a special all-star tribute to Ozzy Osbourne, fronted by Robbie Williams and featuring musicians including Adam Wakeman, Robert Trujillo, and Zakk Wylde. International artists like Bad Bunny, Taylor Swift, and Chappell Roan round out the competition for Best International Artist, reflecting the ceremony’s truly global scope.

“It feels crazy to have five Brit Award nominations, it’s very surreal and I’m still processing it. I remember watching the Brits on TV when I was younger, and having gone to Brit School and now having this full-circle moment 10 years later, attending the awards is going to feel very emotional.”

— Olivia Dean, BRIT Awards nominee

Women Artists Make Historic Impact at Record-Breaking Ceremony

The 2026 BRITs have achieved unprecedented representation, with women and non-binary artists comprising nearly 70 percent of all nominees. This milestone reflects the industry’s evolving recognition of female talent and creative contributions. Lily Allen‘s remarkable comeback with West End Girl sees her nominated for Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, and Best Pop. Lola Young matches Dean’s five nominations, appearing in Artist of the Year, Alternative/Rock, and Pop categories. British icon Pulp returns to the BRITs for the first time in 30 years, competing for Best Group, symbolizing the breadth of musical talent being celebrated in Manchester tonight.

Will Olivia Dean sweep the awards and cement her breakthrough year status?

All eyes turn to Olivia Dean as the evening unfolds at Co-op Live tonight. With five nominations spanning every major category except Group and International awards, her win tally could define the entire night’s narrative. Sam Fender poses a strong challenge for Album of the Year with People Watching, fresh from his Mercury Prize victory, while Lily Allen’s comeback story resonates with voters across multiple categories. The Song of the Year race features 12 contenders, making this perhaps the most unpredictable category. Whether Dean can translate her five nominations into multiple wins, how international artists fare against British competition, and whether the Manchester location sparks unexpected triumphs remain the evening’s burning questions as Jack Whitehall prepares to reveal tonight’s victors.

Sources

• The Independent – Comprehensive coverage of BRIT Awards 2026 nominations and live updates from the ceremony
• Manchester Evening News – Detailed event information including performers, presenters, and Manchester venue details
• Billboard – Award predictions and analysis from industry experts