The BRIT Awards 2026 nominations have officially landed — and like a pint pulled by someone who’s clearly on their first shift, they’ve arrived frothy, chaotic, and already causing arguments 🤘🔥

This year the circus rolls into Manchester, taking over the mighty Co-op Live Arena on 28 February 2026, and the shortlist is a glorious mess of pop royalty, indie survivors, dancefloor sorcerers, and just enough guitar noise to keep us from flipping tables.

Leading the charge are Olivia Dean and Lola Young, absolutely everywhere on the list — while rock fans are once again squinting at the genre categories like “go on then… explain this to me slowly” 😅🎸

Right. Deep breath. Let’s get into it.

🏆 ARTIST OF THE YEAR

  • Dave
  • Fred again..
  • JADE
  • Lily Allen
  • Little Simz
  • Lola Young
  • Olivia Dean
  • PinkPantheress
  • Sam Fender
  • Self Esteem

Big hitters only. Sam Fender still flying the guitar flag, Dave doing heavyweight things, and Lola Young having a year that just refuses to calm down.

👥 GROUP OF THE YEAR

  • The Last Dinner Party
  • Pulp
  • Sleep Token 🖤🔥
  • Wet Leg
  • Wolf Alice

Sleep Token turning up to the BRITS like a masked cult at a black-tie do is still one of the funniest and best things happening in UK music.

💿 ALBUM OF THE YEAR

  • 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

Wolf Alice remain allergic to bad records. Fender delivering big feelings for big rooms. Zero nonsense on this list.

🌱 BREAKTHROUGH ARTIST

  • Barry Can’t Swim
  • EsDeeKid
  • Jim Legxacy
  • Lola Young
  • Skye Newman

If Lola Young wins this and everything else, we’re starting a wall with string and pins.

🎶 SONG OF THE YEAR

  • 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 Is My Husband!
  • Sam Fender feat. Olivia Dean – Rein Me In
  • Skye Newman – Family Matters

That RAYE song title alone has started at least three group chats.

🌍 INTERNATIONAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR

  • Bad Bunny
  • Chappell Roan
  • CMAT
  • Doechii
  • Lady Gaga
  • ROSALÍA
  • Sabrina Carpenter
  • Sombr
  • Taylor Swift
  • Tyler, The Creator

Absolutely stacked. No survivors.

🌐 INTERNATIONAL GROUP OF THE YEAR

  • Geese
  • HAIM
  • HUNTR/X
  • Tame Impala
  • Turnstile 🔥

Turnstile continuing their mission to confuse award shows and delight everyone else.

🎸 ALTERNATIVE / ROCK ACT

(Yes… we know…)

  • Blood Orange
  • Lola Young
  • Sam Fender
  • Wet Leg
  • Wolf Alice

Wolf Alice and Fender doing the heavy lifting while the genre definition quietly screams into the void.

💃 DANCE ACT

  • Calvin Harris & Clementine Douglas
  • FKA twigs
  • Fred again.., Skepta & PlaqueBoyMax
  • PinkPantheress
  • Sammy Virji

Designed for warehouses, trainers, and poor life choices.

🎤 POP ACT

  • JADE
  • Lily Allen
  • Lola Young
  • Olivia Dean
  • RAYE

Pop in 2026 is emotional, dramatic, and not remotely subtle.

🎧 HIP HOP / GRIME / RAP ACT

  • Central Cee
  • Dave
  • Jim Legxacy
  • Little Simz
  • Loyle Carner

Not a weak link in sight.

🎙 R&B ACT

  • Jim Legxacy
  • Kwn
  • Mabel
  • Sasha Keable
  • SAULT

Smooth operators only.

🌎 INTERNATIONAL SONG OF THE YEAR

(Public vote — brace for chaos)

  • 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

Expect discourse. Loud discourse.

🏆 CRITICS’ CHOICE AWARD

  • Jacob Alon (Winner)

Already crowned, already buzzing.

🤘 RIFF REPORT VERDICT

The BRITS 2026 are once again doing that thing where pop, indie, dance, and rock all get thrown into the same mosh pit and told to behave. There’s brilliance here, there’s chaos, and there’s a lot of Lola Young.

Rock fans will moan. Pop fans will cheer. Social media will absolutely combust right on schedule.

And honestly? Wouldn’t have it any other way.

Pints ready. Eyebrows raised. Guitars still plugged in.
Only at The Riff Report, mun. 🤘🔥