The BRIT Awards will be held for the first time in Manchester in 2026
Oasis at the Brit Awards in 1995(Image: Getty Images)
The BRIT Awards will take place on Saturday, February 28, at Manchester’s Co-op Live, marking the first time the event has been held in the city and outside of London. The biggest homegrown artists and those from across the world come together ina star studded evening filled with performances and iconic moments.
The BRIT Awards 2026 have announced award-winning comedian, actor, presenter and writer Jack Whitehall will host this year’s ceremony. After five years hosting the show in London, Jack lead the charge for the BRITs in Manchester on Saturday, February 28, at the Co-op Live.
Jack said: “I am so excited to be coming back for this very special BRIT Awards in Manchester, a place that is so important to me.
“The city I started my comedy career in, it feels like a real full circle moment returning to host this historic night at the Co-op Live, a venue that is only a stone’s throw away from the comedy club I did my first 10 minute set in all those years ago. Hopefully I get a few more laughs than I did that night. I cannot wait.”
BRIT Award tickets
Public tickets for The BRIT Awards 2026 are on sale now. Fans will be able to attend the star studded gala and watch their favourite acts perform live on the Co-op stage as all of the action unfolds live on ITV and ITVX.
Younger fans wanting to get tickets for the BRIT Awards 2026 will only be able to get seated tickets. Ticketmaster said all under-16s will need to be accompanied by an adult, while the standing area will only be open to those aged over 16. A maximum of four tickets per person and per household will also apply.
You can purchase tickets via the BRIT’s website.
How to get to the Co-op Live arena
Co-op Live is located in the east of Manchester, situated next to the Etihad Stadium. Fans are encouraged where possible to use the Metrolink or walking route where possible linking up the city centre to the venue.
The arena is situated off Alan Turing Way in Beswick, which is next to the Etihad Campus tram stop and Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium.
The Ashton-Eccles line to the Etihad Campus stop is located just two minutes walk from the venue. Frequent trams will also run every six minutes from the city centre and run until 1am on Saturdays.
To make use of the walking route, follow the blue lampposts through Ancoats, New Islington, and Holt Town areas. The route features artwork, light displays and structures to check out.
If you’re travelling by train, Manchester’s rail network provides a multitude of options for those journeying to the city. Further details on bus routes to Co-op Live online.
Parking at the Co-op Live arena
The arena features three official car parks, colour coded as blue, green and orange, though availability varies per event. All official parking must be pre-booked online prior to the event here.
The blue zone is situated off Sport City Way and Forge Lane, opposite Philips Park and Co-op Live, while orange parking is located off Alan Turing Way next to the Etihad Stadium. Disabled parking is available in the blue zone and is free for blue badge holders.
More information on parking near the venue can be found online.
The official Vertu Parking on campus will be open four hours before general admission and three hours before premium doors.