3 days Ago
The move represents a historic shift in the music industry's flagship event, which has called London home for almost five decades. The last 15 awards were held at the O2 Arena. Dr Jo Twist, CEO of the BPI, said the choice was part of an effort to move beyond the capital and engage fans across the UK.
"Manchester has a pretty big history of music," Twist added. "Now is the time to take a bold step into other areas of the U.K."
A City Rich in Music History
The city's storied music heritage provides a warm new home for the Brit Awards. From the world-beating likes of Oasis, The Smiths and New Order to fresher success stories including The 1975 and Aitch, the city has always been a barometer of British music.
The mayor, Andy Burnham, described the announcement as a "massive coup" and promised that the city would "pull out all the stops" to make the event a success.
Co-op Live, which is the UK's largest indoor arena, recently overcame a shaky opening that was plagued by delays and technical problems. But it has since hosted major acts like Bruce Springsteen, The Eagles and the MTV Europe Music Awards in 2024.
Milestones and What's Ahead
The two-year Manchester agreement will incorporate the 50th anniversary Brit Awards in 2027. When the awards were last held outside London: Never. The queen's Silver Jubilee was celebrated in the inaugural 1977 competition, and that too was held at London's Wembley Conference Centre.
So naturally, music fans are already looking ahead to what may happen at a future awards ceremony. As Oasis gear up for a 2026 reunion tour, it's hard not to speculate about whether the Brits will reintroduce the "Best Live Act" category (thanks for asking) so that Oasis can win it in their home town.
As Twist teased, "Our categories are always under review... we're super thrilled to co-host and be a part of that whole buzz."
