Olivia Dean and Sam Fender Shine at the 2026 BRIT Awards
Highlights from the 2026 BRIT Awards
The 2026 BRIT Awards took place on February 28 at Co-op Live in Manchester, marking a historic moment as it was the first time the event was held outside of London. This year's ceremony recognized outstanding achievements in British and international music from 2025 across 16 categories. The winners were determined through a combination of votes from the BRIT Awards academy and the public, particularly in categories such as International Song and fan-favorite awards.
Hosted by British comedian Jack Whitehall, the event also celebrated Blackpink's Rosé, who made history as the first K-pop artist to receive a BRIT Award. Olivia Dean was the standout performer of the night, securing four awards, including Artist of the Year and Album of the Year for The Art of Loving. Sam Fender also had a successful evening, winning the Alternative/Rock Act award and sharing the Song of the Year award with Dean for their collaboration, Rein Me In. Lola Young was recognized as the Breakthrough Artist, while Sharon and Kelly Osbourne accepted the Lifetime Achievement Award on behalf of Ozzy Osbourne.
Complete List of Winners at the 2026 BRIT Awards
Artist of the Year
Olivia Dean - WINNER
Also nominated: Dave, Fred Again, Jade, Lily Allen, Little Simz, Lola Young, PinkPantheress, Sam Fender, Self Esteem
Group of the Year
Wolf Alice - WINNER
Also nominated: The Last Dinner Party, Pulp, Sleep Token, Wet Leg
Album of the Year
Olivia Dean – The Art of Loving - WINNER
Also nominated: Dave – The Boy Who Played the Harp, Lily Allen – West End Girl, Sam Fender – People Watching, Wolf Alice – The Clearing
Breakthrough Artist
Lola Young - WINNER
Also nominated: Barry Can’t Swim, EsDee, KidJim, Legxacy, Skye Newman
International Artist
Rosalía - WINNER
Also nominated: Bad Bunny, Chappell Roan, CMAT, Doechii, Lady Gaga, Sabrina Carpenter, Sombr, Taylor Swift, Tyler, the Creator
International Group
Geese - WINNER
Also nominated: Haim, Huntr/x, Tame Impala, Turnstile
Song of the Year
Sam Fender with Olivia Dean – Rein Me In - WINNER
Also nominated: Calvin Harris and Clementine Douglas – Blessings, Chrystal and Notion – The Days (Notion remix), Cynthia Erivo ft 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!, Skye Newman – Family Matters
International Song of the Year
Rosé and Bruno Mars – APT. - WINNER
Also nominated: 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, Sabrina Carpenter – Manchild, Sombr – Undressed, Taylor Swift – The Fate of Ophelia
Alternative/Rock Act
Sam Fender - WINNER
Also nominated: Blood Orange, Lola Young, Wet Leg, Wolf Alice
Pop Act
Olivia Dean - WINNER
Also nominated: Jade, Lily Allen, Lola Young, Raye
Hip-Hop/Grime/Rap Act
Dave - WINNER
Also nominated: Central Cee, Jim Legxacy, Little Simz, Loyle Carner
R&B Act
Sault - WINNER
Also nominated: Jim Legxacy, Kwn, Mabel, Sasha Keable
Dance Act
Fred Again, Skepta, PlaqueBoyMax - WINNER
Also nominated: Calvin Harris and Clementine Douglas, FKA twigs, PinkPantheress, Sammy Virji
Critics’ Choice
Jacob Alon
Producer of the Year
PinkPantheress
Songwriter of the Year
Noel Gallagher
Outstanding Contribution to Music
Mark Ronson
Lifetime Achievement
Ozzy Osbourne
Harry Styles kicked off the evening with a live rendition of his new song “Aperture” from his forthcoming album. Other notable performances included those by Olivia Dean, Rosalía, Raye, Sombr, and Wolf Alice.