A celebration of British and international music unfolded in grand style this year as the 2026 BRIT Awards lit up Manchester’s newest live entertainment landmark, the Co-op Live Arena. The ceremony marked a milestone moment for the city, with the state-of-the-art venue hosting the country’s most prestigious music honors for the first time.
Returning to guide the evening’s festivities was comedian Jack Whitehall, presiding over the BRITs for a sixth time. His familiar wit set the tone for a ceremony that balanced glamour, heartfelt speeches and flashes of irreverent humor.
Harry Styles Delivers a Standout Performance
Among the most eagerly awaited moments of the night was a performance by Harry Styles. The global pop star debuted his new single “Aperture,” taken from his forthcoming album Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally., in a sleek and atmospheric live set that drew one of the loudest receptions of the evening. It was his first televised performance of the track, and it instantly became one of the ceremony’s defining highlights.
A Landmark Year for Dean
If one artist defined the 2026 BRITs, it was Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Dean. Capping off a remarkable year, she collected four major awards: Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, Best Pop Act and Song of the Year, the latter shared with Sam Fender for their anthemic collaboration “Rein Me In.”
Dean’s album The Art of Loving has become a cultural touchstone over the past year, propelled by fan-favorite singles “Man I I Need” and “Nice to Each Other.” The record’s success has cemented her reputation as one of the most compelling voices in contemporary British pop.
Accepting Album of the Year from Wicked star Jeff Goldblum, Dean grew visibly emotional. “Making this album has changed my life,” she told the audience. Reflecting on its themes, she added: “This album is about love and loving each other in a world that feels loveless right now.” The speech provided one of the ceremony’s most poignant moments.
International Winners and Memorable Moments
In the International Song of the Year category, Bruno Mars and Rosé triumphed with their global hit “APT.” Rosé’s win added to an already strong international showing, while Spanish superstar Rosalía claimed International Artist of the Year. During her acceptance, she playfully gave a shoutout to Liam Gallagher — a nod that delighted the crowd and sparked one of the evening’s lighter, unscripted exchanges as Whitehall moved through the celebrity-filled audience.
Elsewhere, British rock favorites Wolf Alice were named Group of the Year, reinforcing their status as one of the country’s most enduring and innovative bands.
A Final Tribute
The ceremony also paused to honor a towering figure in British rock history. The late Ozzy Osbourne, legendary frontman of Black Sabbath, was posthumously awarded the Lifetime Achievement BRIT. The tribute underscored his immense influence on generations of musicians and fans worldwide, bringing a reflective close to an evening defined by both celebration and legacy.
From breakout triumphs to global pop showcases and heartfelt remembrances, the 2026 BRIT Awards proved once again why the ceremony remains the U.K.’s most significant night in music.
Artist of the year
- Olivia Dean -Winner
- Dave
- Fred Again
- Jade
- Lily Allen
- Little Simz
- Lola Young
- PinkPantheress
- Sam Fender
- Self Esteem
- Wolf Alice -Winner
- The Last Dinner Party
- Pulp
- Sleep Token
- Wet Leg
- Olivia Dean – The Art of Loving -Winner
- Dave – The Boy Who Played the Harp
- Lily Allen – West End Girl
- Sam Fender – People Watching
- Wolf Alice – The Clearing
- Lola Young -Winner
- Barry Can’t Swim
- EsDeeKid
- Jim Legxacy
- Skye Newman
- Rosalía -Winner
- Bad Bunny
- Chappell Roan
- CMAT
- Doechii
- Lady Gaga
- Sabrina Carpenter
- Sombr
- Taylor Swift
- Tyler, the Creator
- Geese -Winner
- Haim
- Huntr/x
- Tame Impala
- Turnstile
- Sam Fender with Olivia Dean – Rein Me In -Winner
- Calvin Harris and Clementine Douglas – Blessings
- Chrystal and Notion – The Days (Notion remix)
- Cynthia Erivo ft Ariana Grande – Defying Gravity
- Ed Sheeran – Azizam
- Fred Again, Skepta and PlaqueBoyMax – Victory Lap
- Lewis Capaldi – Survive
- Lola Young – Messy
- Myles Smith – Nice to Meet You
- Olivia Dean – Man I Need
- Raye – Where Is My Husband!
- Skye Newman – Family Matters
- Rosé and Bruno Mars – APT. -Winner
- Alex Warren – Ordinary
- Chappell Roan – Pink Pony Club
- Disco Lines and Tinashe – No Broke Boys
- Gigi Perez – Sailor Song
- Gracie Abrams – That’s So True
- Huntr/x – Golden
- Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars – Die With a Smile
- Ravyn Lenae – Love Me Not
- Sabrina Carpenter – Manchild
- Sombr – Undressed
- Taylor Swift – The Fate of Ophelia
- Sam Fender -Winner
- Blood Orange
- Lola Young
- Wet Leg
- Wolf Alice
- Olivia Dean -Winner
- Jade
- Lily Allen
- Lola Young
- Raye
- Dave -Winner
- Central Cee
- Jim Legxacy
- Little Simz
- Loyle Carner
- Sault -Winner
- Jim Legxacy
- Kwn
- Mabel
- Sasha Keable
- Fred Again, Skepta, PlaqueBoyMax -Winner
- Calvin Harris and Clementine Douglas
- FKA twigs
- PinkPantheress
- Sammy Virji
- Jacob Alon
- PinkPantheress
- Noel Gallagher
- Mark Ronson
- Ozzy Osbourne