Jack Whitehall will once again host the BRIT Awards 2026 with Mastercard.
For the first time in almost 50 years of the prestigious music bash, the British funnyman will lead proceedings in Manchester at the Co-op Live on February 28.
The announcement on Tuesday (09.12.25) came in the form of a short entitled “Ode to Manchester”, in which Jack paid homage to all things Mancunian, including the soap Coronation Street, the Curry Mile, the Industrial Revolution and barm cake.
Jack – who attended the University of Manchester – is set to host the ceremony for the sixth time, having previously hosted in 2025, 2021, 2020, 2019, and 2018.
He 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.”
Confirmation of Jack’s return comes after the three artists shortlisted for this year’s Critics’ Choice Award, a category long regarded as a launchpad for the UK’s brightest new talent.
Jacob Alon, Rose Gray and Sienna Spiro are the names in contention. The winner will be confirmed in January, ahead of the main ceremony.
Folk musician Alon – whose debut album In Limerence was nominated for this year’s Mercury Prize – reacted: “Ya beauty! Tapadh leibh for recognising my work for this award you legends! Even though I’m Scottish and Irish before I’m British, I appreciate the BRITs critics for this recognition. I really care about and believe in this music and it makes my world brighter every time it reaches someone else. Hopefully this nomination means some more beautiful people might find something in this wee album. ‘Mon the gays!!!”
Dance-pop star Gray has capped off an exceptional year with the nod, having released her debut album, Louder, Please, to acclaim.
She said: “I’m so excited for this nomination!! This moment feels like a special reminder of how far this journey has carried me and what a crazy year it’s been. One year ago, I was manifesting so hard for my album Louder, Please to travel, to find its people, to really get its light. And it did. Releasing this record has genuinely changed my life. I’m so grateful to everyone who’s been part of this journey and I can’t wait for what’s to come. Thank you BRITs.”
Singer-songwriter Spiro, who managed to reach No. 9 in the UK Singles Chart with her viral hit Die on This Hill, commented: “So beyond honoured and grateful to be nominated for this year’s Critics’ Choice BRIT Award! To think I started releasing music last year, I would never have expected this at all. Thank you so much!”
The Critics’ Choice award has a rich history of spotlighting future stars, with past winners and nominees including Dua Lipa, Adele, Florence + The Machine, James Blake, Michael Kiwanuka, Sam Smith, Jorja Smith, Griff, FLO, The Last Dinner Party, Myles Smith and many more who went on to achieve international acclaim.
The prize has reverted to its original name, Critics’ Choice, for 2026, having switched to the Rising Star Award in 2020.
Public tickets for The BRIT Awards 2026 with Mastercard are on sale from at brits.co.uk. The show will be broadcast live on ITV and ITVX.
