British music The biggest night is heading north, and the nominations are finally in.
The BRIT Awards 2026 return in February with a reshaped map, a sharpened edge and a shortlist that captures a year where UK 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 again by Jack Whitehallthis year’s ceremony marks a historic shift – not only in location, but also in mood.
The leading charge is Olivia Dean and Lola Youngeach point five nominations after a year of chart dominance, critical acclaim 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 Peace again.. underline how competitive and creatively rich the year has been.
The BRIT Awards continue their tradition of highlighting 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 that balances stalwarts, returning icons and first-time contenders.
From long-awaited nods to unexpected category clashes, the 2026 BRIT Awards are becoming less about safe predictions – and more about where British music is going next.
Here’s the full breakdown of nominees across all 16 BRIT Awards categories.
Artist of the year
- Dave
- Peace 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 legs
- 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 clearance
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”
- Peace Again.., Skepta & PlaqueBoyMax – “Victory Lap”
- Lewis Capaldi – “Survive”
- Lola Young – “Messy”
- Myles Smith – “Nice To Meet You”
- Olivia Dean – “Man I Need”
- Raye – “Where’s My Husband!”
- Sam Fender (with Olivia Dean) – “Rein Me In”
- Skye Newman – “Family Matters”
International artist of the year
- Bad rabbit
- Chappell Roan
- CMAT
- Doechii
- Lady Gaga
- Rosalia
- Sabrina Carpenter
- Shadow
- Taylor Swift
- Tyler, The Creator
International group of the year
- Geese
- Haim
- Huntr/x, Ejae / Audrey Nuna / Rei Ami
- Tame impala
- Block
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 – “It’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 – “Dressed Up”
- Taylor Swift – “The Fate of Ophelia”
Breakthrough artist
- Barry can’t swim
- EsDeeKids
- Jim Legxacy
- Lola Young
- Skye Newman
Critics’ Choice
- Jacob Alon — WINNER
- Rose Grey
- Sienna Spiro
Best Alternative/Rock Act
- Blood Orange
- Lola Young
- Sam Fender
- Wet legs
- 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
- Wife
- Mabel
- Sasha Keable
- Salt
Best Dance Act
- Calvin Harris and Clementine Douglas
- FKA twigs
- Peace again..Skepta & PlaqueBoyMax
- PinkPantheress
- Sammy Virgin
Producer of the year
TB
Songwriter of the Year
TB
From breakout stars to returning icons, the BRIT Awards 2026 nominations are officially underway. Have you favorites reached out? Share your thoughts with us on (formerly Twitter), and visit ThePlayerLounge for more music and entertainment stories.
