British music’s biggest night is heading north, and the nominations are finally in.
The BRIT Awards 2026 return this February with a reshaped map, a sharpened edge, and a shortlist that captures a year where British pop, soul, indie and alternative sounds collided louder than ever. Set to take place at Manchester’s Co-op Live on 28 February and hosted once again by Jack Whitehall, this year’s ceremony marks a historic shift — not only in location, but also in mood.
Leading the charge are Olivia Dean and Lola Young, each scoring five nominations after a year of chart dominance, critical praise and cultural visibility that turned breakout momentum into staying power. From Dean’s warm, classic soul revival to Young’s raw, confessional pop-punk edge, the 2026 BRITs shortlist reflects an industry increasingly shaped by individuality, vulnerability and genre-blurring ambition. Close behind, Sam Fender, Lily Allen, Dave, Wolf Alice and Fred again.. underscore just how competitive and creatively rich the year has been.
The BRIT Awards continue their tradition of spotlighting the future alongside the present. Jacob Alon’s Critics’ Choice win cements them as one of Britain’s most compelling new storytellers, while the wider nominations reveal a ceremony balancing legacy acts, returning icons and first-time contenders.
From long-awaited nods to unexpected category clashes, the BRIT Awards 2026 are shaping up to be less about safe predictions — and more about where British music goes next.
Here’s the full breakdown of nominees across all 16 BRIT Awards categories.
Artist of the Year
- Dave
- Fred again..
- JADE
- Lily Allen
- Little Simz
- Lola Young
- Olivia Dean
- PinkPantheress
- Sam Fender
- Self Esteem
Group of the Year
- The Last Dinner Party
- Pulp
- Sleep Token
- Wet Leg
- Wolf Alice
Album of the Year
- Dave – The Boy Who Played The Harp
- Lily Allen – West End Girl
- Olivia Dean – The Art of Loving
- Sam Fender – People Watching
- Wolf Alice – The Clearing
Song of the Year
- Calvin Harris & Clementine Douglas – “Blessings”
- Chrystal & Notion – “The Days (Notion Remix)”
- Cynthia Erivo (feat. Ariana Grande) – “Defying Gravity”
- Ed Sheeran – “Azizam”
- Fred again.., Skepta & 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!”
- Sam Fender (with Olivia Dean) – “Rein Me In”
- Skye Newman – “Family Matters”
International Artist of the Year
- Bad Bunny
- Chappell Roan
- CMAT
- Doechii
- Lady Gaga
- Rosalía
- Sabrina Carpenter
- Sombr
- Taylor Swift
- Tyler, The Creator
International Group of the Year
- Geese
- Haim
- Huntr/x, Ejae / Audrey Nuna/ Rei Ami
- Tame Impala
- Turnstile
International Song of the Year
- Alex Warren – “Ordinary”
- Chappell Roan – “Pink Pony Club”
- Disco Lines & Tinashe – “No Broke Boys”
- Gigi Perez – “Sailor Song”
- Gracie Abrams – “That’s So True”
- Huntr/x, Ejae / Audrey Nuna/ Rei Ami – “Golden”
- Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars – “Die With A Smile”
- Ravyn Lenae – “Love Me Not”
- Rosé & Bruno Mars – “APT.”
- Sabrina Carpenter – “Manchild”
- Sombr – “Undressed”
- Taylor Swift – “The Fate of Ophelia”
Breakthrough Artist
- Barry Can’t Swim
- EsDeeKid
- Jim Legxacy
- Lola Young
- Skye Newman
Critics’ Choice
- Jacob Alon — WINNER
- Rose Gray
- Sienna Spiro
Best Alternative / Rock Act
- Blood Orange
- Lola Young
- Sam Fender
- Wet Leg
- Wolf Alice
Best Pop Act
- Jade
- Lily Allen
- Lola Young
- Olivia Dean
- Raye
Best Hip-Hop/ Rap/ Grime act
- Central Cee
- Dave
- Jim Legxacy
- Little Simz
- Loyle Carner
Best R&B Act
- Jim Legxacy
- Kwn
- Mabel
- Sasha Keable
- Sault
Best Dance Act
- Calvin Harris & Clementine Douglas
- FKA twigs
- Fred again..Skepta & PlaqueBoyMax
- PinkPantheress
- Sammy Virji
Producer of the Year
TBC
Songwriter of the Year
TBC
From breakout stars to returning icons, the BRIT Awards 2026 nominations are officially in. Did you favorites make the cut? Share your thoughts with us on X (formerly Twitter), and visit CelebMix for more music and entertainment stories.