Jack Whitehall Hosts Historic BRIT Awards in Manchester

The 2026 BRIT Awards with Mastercard took place on Saturday, February 28th, at Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena, marking the first time the ceremony has been held outside of London in its nearly 50-year history . Comedian Jack Whitehall hosted the event for the sixth consecutive year , having previously hosted in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2025.

Olivia Dean Dominates the Night

Olivia Dean was the night’s biggest winner, taking home four awards, including Artist of the Year and Album of the Year .

Performances and Key Moments

Performances at the ceremony included Harry Styles, Rosalía, Olivia Dean, and RAYE . Alex Warren performed Rosalía’s hit “Ordinary,” accompanied by James Blunt on piano, and dedicated the performance to his wife . KPop Demon Hunters, consisting of Ejae, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami, performed their song “Golden” .

PinkPantheress Honored as Producer of the Year

Prior to the ceremony, PinkPantheress was named the BRIT Awards’ 2026 Producer of the Year, becoming the youngest artist and the first woman to receive the honor .

A Historic Move to Manchester

The move to Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena represents a significant shift for the BRIT Awards, which have been held in London since their inception in 1977 . Jack Whitehall, who studied at the University of Manchester, expressed his excitement about returning to the city where he began his comedy career . The ceremony was broadcast live on ITV1 and ITVX, and streamed on ITV’s YouTube channel and the BRITs YouTube globally .