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BRIT Awards 2026: Manchester Hosts Historic Ceremony
28 Feb
Summary
- Olivia Dean and Sam Fender won Song of the Year for 'Rein Me In'.
- The 2026 BRIT Awards ceremony was held in Manchester for the first time.
- Female and non-binary artists received 70% of nominations this year.

The 2026 BRIT Awards celebrated a historic moment by moving its ceremony to Manchester for the first time since its inception in 1977. Olivia Dean and Sam Fender kicked off the night by winning Song of the Year for their collaboration 'Rein Me In'.
This year's nominations showcased a significant increase in female and non-binary representation, with 70 percent of the nods going to artists in these categories. This move addresses previous controversies regarding the underrepresentation of women at the awards.
Notable nominations also included British rapper Dave for Artist of the Year and Album of the Year, and Raye, who followed her record-breaking six wins from the previous year with one nomination.
The decision to host the ceremony outside London aims to broaden its reach and engage new audiences, marking a new era for the prestigious music event.




