What time are the Brits 2026, who is performing, and where to watch?

The time has come – tonight, the Brit Awards return for the 2026 ceremony, with some of the biggest music stars in the world attending.

This year’s show will see the likes of Lily Allen, Sam Fender, Jade Thirlwall, Olivia Dean, and Taylor Swift go up for major awards, and it’s bound to be a spectacle.

Expect plenty of accolades to be handed out across the biggest genres, with Noel Gallagher and Mark Ronson also honoured for their contributions to music.

We’re also in for a treat as Harry Styles is set to take the stage, performing something from his upcoming album Kiss All The Time. Disco Occasionally.

He’s not the only megastar singing, with Brit record breaker Raye also on the evening’s line up, as well as Wolf Alice, HUNTR/X’s EJAE, Audrey Nuna and REI AMI, and global superstar Rosalía.

Of course, after the show, there are going to be several afterparties in Manchester, where the ceremony has relocated to for the first time. We have no doubt those parties will go on until the early hours of the morning.

So how can you watch the Brits, who’s nominated and who’ll be performing? Here’s everything you need to know.

What time do the Brit Awards start and where to watch?

The Brit Awards are set to kick off this Saturday, February 28 at 8.15pm, with the show airing live on ITV1 and ITVX from 8.15pm until 10.30pm.

The entire show will go out live, with no buffer for editing or cutting which usually makes for an interesting show.

As always, there will also be a livestream of the red carpet so you can check out what all your favourite stars are wearing.

That will go out live from 5.30pm on the official Brits Instagram, hosted by Kiss FM radio DJ and TV presenter Tyler West and content creator turned podcast host Charley Marlowe.

The televised programme will be preceded by Britain’s Got Talent from 7pm until 8.15pm

Who’s hosting the Brit Awards 2026?

This year, the Brits are being hosted by comedian Jack Whitehall, marking his sixth time proceeding over the ceremony.

He returned last year after a four year break, having hosted consecutively in 2018, 2019 and 2020.

Announcing his return, the 37-year-old 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.’

In his years off, the show was hosted by Maya Jama, Roman Kemp and Clara Amfo, while Mo Gilligan was in charge in 2023 and 2022.

Who’s performing at the Brits?

Several of the biggest stars on the UK music scene are set to perform at this year’s Brit Awards.

Last year, we saw a little bit of controversy surrounding Sabrina Carpenter’s cheeky number but we’re anticipating a less spicy affair this time … although maybe not.

Harry Styles will be making his live TV performance debut of music from his new album Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally – note that doesn’t specifically say Aperture, so we could be treated to new music.

Also performing is Raye, who broke the record for most awards won in a single night in 2024, returning to pick up another award last year.

‘We are so grateful to the BRIT Awards for having us back on their stage. Me and the band are very excited,’ she said.

The night will also feature a performance from Alex Warren (probably singing Ordinary), Sombr, Olivia Dean, the trio behind HUNTR/X, Wolf Alice, Alex Warren, and ROSALÍA.

Sombr shared: ‘I’m so honoured to be performing at the iconic BRIT Awards. I am so thankful to everyone who has supported me this past year. I love the UK and all the British people, it’s my second home.’

Mark Ronson is also set to take the stage after winning the Outstanding Contribution To Music award but there has been speculation of a mashup.

A version of this article was originally published in February 2025.

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