Olivia Dean attends the BRIT Awards 2024 at The O2 Arena on March 02, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Jim Dyson/Redferns)
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Olivia Dean and Lola Young lead The BRIT Awards 2026 nominations, each securing five nods and setting the tone for a particularly hot moment in British music.
This 46th edition of the BRITs carries extra heft with the awards being held for the first time at Manchester’s Co-op Live when the ceremony returns in late February. Announced alongside a new three-year sponsorship with Sony Music UK last year, the British Phonographic Industry’s two-year deal to host the awards in Manchester was hailed by Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham as a “massive coup” for the area after the ceremony was held in London’s O2 Arena since 2011.
Surrounding the critical and commercial success of her sophomore album The Art of Loving, Olivia Dean’s BRIT nomination haul includes British Album of the Year, British Artist of the Year, Best Pop Act, and two Song of the Year nominations for the breakthrough hit “Man I Need” and her duet “Rein Me In” with Sam Fender. Meanwhile, Lola Young’s five nominations span British Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Pop Act, Best Alternative/Rock Act, and Best New Artist, marking her as one of the year’s most versatile breakthroughs.
Just behind the two U.K. divas is Sam Fender, who follows with four nominations, including British Album of the Year, Song of the Year, British Artist of the Year, and Best Alternative/Rock Act.
Dean, Young, and Fender are all previous honorees on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 – Europe – Entertainment lists over the past few years.
Elsewhere in the list, multiple nominees for this year’s BRITs include Lily Allen, Wolf Alice, Dave, Jim Legxacy, and Fred again.. who all earned three apiece. Lastly, Taylor Swift, JADE, Calvin Harris, Clementine Douglas, PinkPantheress, Sabrina Carpenter, Chappell Roan, Little Simz, RAYE, Skepta, PlaqueBoyMax, Wet Leg, Skye Newman, Bruno Mars, Sombr, Lady Gaga, and KPop Demon Hunters group HUNTR/X with EJAE, Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami all earned two nominations.
This year’s BRIT Awards will again be hosted by comedian-actor Jack Whitehall, returning as host for a sixth time. Olivia Dean will also perform at the ceremony with more performers expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
2026 also stands out with The BRITs restoring the Critics’ Choice Award name this year, after it was previously renamed the Rising Star Award. Scottish singer-songwriter Jacob Alon was revealed as the Critics’ Choice winner from a shortlist that included Rose Gray and Sienna Spiro — joining a lineage that ties this year’s new talents to past Critics’ Choice winners like Adele, Florence + The Machine and Sam Smith.
Ahead of the awards, the BPI is staging BRITs Week benefit charity shows around the U.K. in support of War Child, the London-based NGO that works with parents, governments, corporations and other NGOs worldwide to support childrens’ access to protection, education and psychosocial support. Critics’ Choice Award winner Jacob Alon performs the final show for the Music Room at Assembly Rooms in Edinburgh on February 27, following shows by the likes of Myles Smith, Fatboy Slim and more.
The BRIT Awards 2026 will take place on February 28, 2026, and will be broadcast on ITV1 and ITVX in the U.K., and streamed globally via YouTube. Read on for the full list of nominees for The BRIT Awards 2026.
BRIT Awards 2026 Nominations
British Album Of The Year
- Dave – The Boy Who Played The Harp
- Lily Allen – West End Girl
- Olivia Dean – The Art Of Love
- Sam Fender – People Watching
- Wolf Alice – The Clearing
British Song Of The Year
- Calvin Harris and Clementine Douglas – “Blessings”
- Chrystal and Notion – “The Days”
- Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande – “Defying Gravity”
- Ed Sheeran – “Azizam”
- Fred again.., Skepta and 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 and Olivia Dean – “Rein Me In”
- Skye Newman – “Family Matters”
British Artist Of The Year
- Dave
- Fred again..
- JADE
- Lily Allen
- Little Simz
- Lola Young
- Olivia Dean
- PinkPantheress
- Sam Fender
- Self Esteem
British Group Of The Year
- Pulp
- Sleep Token
- The Last Dinner Party
- Wet Leg
- Wolf Alice
British Breakthrough Artist
- Barry Can’t Swim
- EsDeeKid
- Jim Legxacy
- Lola Young
- Skye Newman
British Alternative/Rock Act
- Blood Orange
- Lola Young
- Sam Fender
- Wet Leg
- Wolf Alice
British R&B Act
- Jim Legxacy
- Kwn
- Mabel
- Sasha Keable
- Sault
British Dance Act
- Calvin Harris and Clementine Douglas
- FKA Twigs
- Fred again.., Skepta and Plaqueboymax
- PinkPantheress
- Sammy Virji
British Hip-Hop/Rap/Grime Act
- Central Cee
- Dave
- Jim Legxacy
- Little Simz
- Loyle Carner
British Pop Act
- JADE
- Lily Allen
- Lola Young
- Olivia Dean
- RAYE
International Song Of The Year
- Alex Warren – “Ordinary”
- Chappell Roan – “Pink Pony Club”
- Disco Lines and Tinashe – “No Broke Boys”
- Gigi Perez – “Sailor Song”
- Gracie Abrams – “That’s So True”
- HUNTR/X – “Golden”
- Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars – “Die With A Smile”
- Ravyn Lenae – “Love Me Not”
- Rosé and Bruno Mars – “APT.”
- Sabrina Carpenter – “Manchild”
- Sombr – “Undressed”
- Taylor Swift – “The Fate Of Ophelia”
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
- Tame Impala
- Turnstile
Critics’ Choice Winner
- WINNER: Jacob Alon
- Rose Gray
- Sienna Spiro
Songwriter of the Year
Producer of the Year
Global Success Award
Stay tuned for more updates from The 2026 BRIT Awards that will take place at Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena on Saturday, February 28, 2026.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffbenjamin/2026/01/21/the-brit-awards-2026-olivia-dean-lola-young-sam-fender-top-nominees/
