THE BRIT AWARDS MOVE TO MANCHESTER IN TWO-YEAR DEAL AS ITV CONFIRMS SATURDAY NIGHT SLOT FOR 2026 CEREMONY

The biggest night in music - The BRIT Awards - will return to ITV1 and ITVX on Saturday 28th February 2026 with a new home at Manchester's Co-Op Live Arena in a new two-year deal.

As the biggest night in the UK music calendar, the music industry will once again come together to celebrate the year’s standout successes across both British and International music. The Saturday night slot will continue to deliver another exciting night of live music and entertainment, with further campaign announcements to be made in the coming months.

Katie Rawcliffe, Director of Entertainment & Daytime, added: "ITV is for everyone, no matter where in the UK you live. As someone who grew up in the North, I'm so excited that The BRITs is coming live from Manchester this year for the very first time in its 48 year rich musical history."

Jason Iley MBE, Chairman and CEO, Sony Music UK & Ireland: "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, said (via Mancheser Evening News): "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."

More details will be announced in due course.