At which Manchester arena were the 2026 Brit Awards held?

The 2026 BRIT Awards were held at Manchester’s Co-op Live.

The ceremony took place on 28 February 2026, marking the first time the BRIT Awards had been staged outside London. Co-op Live, a major indoor arena at the Etihad Campus, became the event’s new Manchester home for the 2026 ceremony and the planned 2027 edition.

The move reflected Manchester’s long musical history, associated with artists and scenes ranging from The Smiths and Oasis to Factory Records and the “Madchester” era. It also gave the awards a new setting after many years at London venues, most recently The O2 arena.

A common mix-up is Etihad Stadium, which is nearby at the same campus but is an outdoor football stadium. Manchester Apollo and AO Arena are also established concert venues, yet neither hosted the 2026 BRIT Awards. Co-op Live opened in 2024 and is designed primarily for large indoor concerts and entertainment events.