Brit Awards 2026 Nominees Are In – Here’s the Full List

The Brit Awards 2026 are just around the corner — and this year’s nominations list is jam-packed with fresh talent, legendary returns, and global names dominating the music scene. The ceremony will take place on 28 February 2026 at Co-op Live in Manchester - the first time the Brits have been held outside London and will be hosted once again by Jack Whitehall.

From British favourites like Olivia Dean, Lola Young and Sam Fender, to international superstars like Taylor Swift and Bad Bunny, here’s your complete guide to all the artists and tracks nominated this year.

Artist of the Year

This is one of the night’s biggest honours and what a lineup:

• Dave

• Fred again..

• JADE

• Lily Allen

• Little Simz

• Lola Young

• Olivia Dean

• PinkPantheress

• Sam Fender

• Self Esteem

Group of the Year

Celebrating outstanding bands and collectives:

• The Last Dinner Party

• Pulp

• Sleep Token

• Wet Leg

• Wolf Alice

Fun fact: Pulp earned their first Brit nomination in over 30 years!

Mastercard Album of the Year

Album of the Year nominees - a mix of British classics and modern masterpieces:

• 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 Clearing

Breakthrough Artist

Rising stars to watch:

• Barry Can’t Swim

• EsDeeKid

• Jim Legxacy

• Lola Young

• Skye Newman

Song of the Year

The nominees for the biggest track of 2025 include a wildly diverse set of hits:

• Calvin Harris & Clementine Douglas – Blessings

• Chrystal & Notion – The Days (Notion Remix)

• Cynthia Erivo (feat. Ariana Grande) – Defying Gravity

• Ed Sheeran – Azizam

• Fred 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?

• Olivia Dean & Sam Fender – Rein Me In

• Skye Newman – Family Matters

International Artist of the Year

A global roll-call of big hitters:

• Bad Bunny

• Chappell Roan

• CMAT

• Doechii

• Lady Gaga

• Rosalía

• Sabrina Carpenter

• sombr

• Taylor Swift

• Tyler, The Creator

International Group of the Year

Cross-border collaborations and bands:

• Geese

• HAIM

• HUNTR/X

• Tame Impala

• Turnstile

HUNTR/X - the animated group from KPop Demon Hunters — scored nominations here and in other categories, showing how movie music is crossing over into award season!

International Song of the Year

Some of the best global tracks of the year:

• Alex Warren – Ordinary

• Chappell Roan – Pink Pony Club

• Disco Lines & Tinashe – No Broke Boys

• Gigi Perez – Sailor Song

• Gracie Abrams – That’s So True

• HUNTR/X – Golden

• Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars – Die With A Smile

• Ravyn Lenae – Love Me Not

• Rosé & Bruno Mars – APT.

• Sabrina Carpenter – Manchild

• Sombr – Undressed

• Taylor Swift – The Fate Of Ophelia

Other Genre Categories

There’s even more great music recognised this year:

Best Pop Act
JADE, Lily Allen, Lola Young, Olivia Dean, RAYE

Best Hip-Hop/Grime/Rap Act
Central Cee, Dave, Jim Legxacy, Little Simz, Loyle Carner

Best R&B Act
Jim Legxacy, kwn, Mabel, Sasha Keable, Sault 

Best Alternative/Rock Act
Blood Orange, Lola Young, Sam Fender, Wet Leg, Wolf Alice

Best Dance Act
Calvin Harris & Clementine Douglas, FKA twigs, Fred again.. (with Skepta & PlaqueBoyMax), PinkPantheress, Sammy Virji

Critics’ Choice

Up-and-coming artist to keep an ear on: Jacob Alon was named this year’s Critics’ Choice winner.

The Brits 2026 nominations show the incredible depth of music coming out of the UK and around the world - from established legends like Lily Allen to breakthrough acts like EsDeeKid and international stars like Taylor Swift. Whether you’re into pop, rock, hip-hop, or global crossover tracks, there’s something to celebrate at this year’s awards.

Make sure you bookmark this page and let us know in the comments who you’re rooting for - and which tracks you think should win! 🏆

This article will be updated with winners on the night of the Brit Awards 2026.

Written by the Chalkys team – independent music specialists since 1987.