How to watch the BRIT Awards 2026

There are just hours to go before the BRIT Awards 2026, with viewers transported to Manchester's Co-op Live arena for the first time in the show's history.

For fans and spectators across the music industry, tonight couldn't come soon enough, with this year's nominees including chart-toppers such as Olivia Dean, Sam Fender and Lily Allen, all of whom are up for artist of the year.

There will also be an exciting set of performances, with the likes of Harry Styles, RAYE and Olivia Dean all set to grace the stage.

It has been confirmed that Harry Styles will open the ceremony, making his live performance debut of music from his highly-anticipated album Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally.

This marks three years since his last performance on the BRIT Awards stage, with Styles last appearing at the ceremony in 2023 in which he took home four awards following the release of his last album, Harry's House.

Looking to tune into all the action? Here's everything you need to know about how to watch the BRIT Awards 2026 live.

How to watch the BRIT Awards 2026

For those based in the UK, viewers can tune in live on Saturday 28 February at 8:15pm on ITV1 and ITVX, with the broadcast set to begin at 8.15pm.

In a first, UK viewers will also be able to watch the show on ITV's YouTube channel in full.

For the past 13 years, the YouTube stream has only been available to viewers located outside the UK, who were able to watch via the BRITs YouTube channel.

At the time of reporting, exact timings for transmission are yet to be confirmed, but it is thought the ceremony will begin around 8pm.

The BRIT Awards 2026 host

Jack Whitehall will once again host the BRIT Awards, which is particularly special this time round as his connections to the BRITS' new home run deep, having studied at the University of Manchester.

Marking his sixth time presenting the show, Whitehall 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."

Who designed the BRIT Awards 2026 trophy?

Internationally acclaimed designer Matthew Williamson is behind this year's BRIT Award trophy.

The trophy is amber toned resin, "resembling the golden honey of a worker bee, the city's mascot - atop a globe representing the worldwide reach of British music", all inspired by his Manchester roots.

On what designing this year's trophy means to him, Matthew commented: "Following in the footsteps of great designers and artists before me, it’s an honour and a career highlight to design the 2026 BRITs trophy. The BRITs is an event I've watched since childhood, and I’m still so immersed in it to this day. I've always looked at it in awe and wonder, so to even be offered this opportunity feels like a real milestone moment."

The BRIT Awards will air on Saturday 28 February at 8:15pm on ITV1 and ITVX.

Check out more of our Entertainment coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.