Celebrations are beginning across Manchester to mark the arrival of The Brit Awards, which will take place on Saturday at The Co-op Live Arena.
These include an arts trail across the Northern Quarter, intimate gigs with nominees and local musicians, and even a new name for the Deansgate train station.
It marks the first time the ceremony has taken place in Manchester, and the first time outside of London.
The move to Manchester is particularly significant after recent reports that working-class voices from the city could disappear from the arts.
Luke Harrison, subject group head for Music at The University of Salford, said: “Locating the awards in the region will be a benefit to the north in general, as it gives rise for other cities to host in the future, following the example set by the BBC moving Eurovision to six different cities and towns across its near-70 years.
“From a music education view, I can only see the BRITs presence being of benefit to all the region’s music institutions and the fringe events and one-off concerts will focus on the grassroots scene, giving opportunity to put our music acts in a wider national spotlight once again.
Harrison added: “As the BRITs enter its new regional era, will Manchester once again be the vanguard of these new horizons, taking on the risk with a Mancunian swagger, pride and our heads held high?”
The Brits Art Trail
The Brits Art Trail has given local artists the chance to bring the streets to life, with striking displays across the Northern Quarter and Ancoats.
It features work from 21 artists from the North West, all curated by Manchester-based artist Stanley Chow.
Chow said: “I’m immensely proud to be asked to curate the Art Trail around The BRIT Awards 2026 with Mastercard in Manchester, especially as a proud Manc.
“It also gives me great pleasure to showcase some of the great artistic talents we have in the North-West too.”
Other artists featured include Kim Thompson, The Hammo, Jay Sharples, Oskar with a K, Clare Birtwistle, Caroline Dowsett, Pete Obsolete, Qubek, Jonathan Edwards and Rick Hyde, among others.
The Brits Fringe
A week of events has been announced to celebrate the Manchester music scene, under the banner ‘Manchester Seen and Heard’.
The Fringe aims to use the Brit Awards to ‘amplify grassroots creativity, elevate local voices and connect emerging talent with the wider music industry’.
FRINGE LAB, a one-day mixer for people working in the music industry, will take place on Friday, and there is a programme of events for young musicians across the week.
The full programme of events can be found here.
Damaris Rex-Taylor, managing director at RCA/Sony Music, said: “The move from London to Manchester for The BRITs was never about just lifting it into another space.
“Manchester are leaders in arts and culture, so we wanted to respect that by amplifying what has already been built, through music, art, legacy, and people.”
Olivia Deansgate
Social media went crazy last week when people noticed that the Deansgate train station had been renamed to honour Brit nominee Olivia Dean.
The Grammy-winner is set to play an intimate gig at Manchester’s Albert Hall on Thursday.
Olivia Dean is one of the most-nominated stars at the Brits, with Album of the Year and Song of the Year nods under her belt.
Dean will be hoping that the Brits can be ‘Nice To Each Other’ and give her her first Brit Award this weekend.
Other nominees for Saturday’s show include Sam Fender for his album ‘People Watching’ and Lily Allen for her fan-favourite ‘West End Girl’.
The songs contending for a Brit include Raye’s smash hit ‘WHERE IS MY HUSBAND!’, Olivia Dean’s ‘Man I Need’, and Sam Fender and Olivia Dean’s ‘Rein Me In’.
Sabrina Carpenter, Bad Bunny and Taylor Swift are amongst the international stars nominated at the event.
The full list of nominations can be found here.
To celebrate the Brits being held in Manchester, students from universities across the city have been given tickets to watch the show from a special pit at the front of the stage.
Anyone with tickets will be able to get free travel on Metrolink services on Saturday.
Councillor Bev Craig, leader of Manchester City Council, said: “Music, culture, and creativity are a massive part of Manchester’s DNA and together have played a significant role in the growth of the city and continue to do so – helping shape both what the city is today and what it will be tomorrow.
“We’re known across the globe for our creativity and for our brilliant music scene, which is what makes Manchester and The BRITs such a fantastic fit for each other.”
He said: “Hosting the first-ever BRIT Awards to take place outside London is a really big deal.
“It’s got the whole city buzzing, and showcases the growing success of our city and the opportunities we’re creating for people.
“And with the first-ever BRITs Fringe, plus an epic BRITs takeover of the city in the run-up to the event, creating lots of opportunities for artists and others to get involved – with music, masterclasses, murals and more – we’re in no doubt that this year’s BRITs here in Manchester will be the stuff of absolute legend, and we can’t wait to welcome everyone.”
Dr Jo Twist OBE, BPI Executive, said: “At the heart of The BRITs is an amazing awards show that celebrates the brilliant breadth of British and international music that has resonated in British culture over the last year.
“But for the first time we are also pleased to be able to showcase Manchester’s rich musical heritage that has shaped generations nationally and on the global stage.
“This program of events will connect with Manchester’s communities and amplify The BRITs across the city region in a way that will create a lasting cultural impact.”