National Album Day has announced Robbie Williams as the recipient of the ‘Album Icon’ title, and confirmed a special vinyl reissue of ‘Sing When You’re Winning’ to mark the milestone.
The honour is awarded as part of National Album Day 2026, which celebrates the “art of the album” and the artists who share their personal stories through the artform.
This year will mark the ninth edition since the event launched in 2018, and is once again presented in association with BBC Radio 2. It is also organised jointly by the BPI – the UK association of record companies and independent labels (BRIT Awards and Mercury Prize) and ERA, the digital entertainment and retail association (Record Store Day).
This year’s theme will be “Icons”, and it has today (Tuesday October 6) been announced that Robbie Williams will be named Album Icon.
His recognition comes as he has some impressive accolades under his belt including 90million album sales, six of the Top 100 best-selling albums in UK history, and 16 Number One albums.
He has also received a record-breaking 18 BRIT Awards and five Ivor Novello Awards, and also recently performed his song ‘Desire’ with Laura Pausini and Nicole Scherzinger at the Final of the FIFA World Cup 26, after being named as an Official FIFA Music Ambassador.
He is also a UNICEF ambassador since 2000, as well as the co-founder of Soccer Aid – which has helped to raise more than £137m for charity worldwide.
“We are as delighted as we are honoured that Robbie has accepted our invitation to champion the album format and support National Album Day, this year celebrating iconic artists and their albums,” said a National Album Day spokesperson. “He is an undoubted music icon and adds his powerful voice to other major artists advocating for the cultural importance of the album format.”
Williams shared: “Ask any artist, albums still matter… That’s why I’m happy to be part of this year’s National Album Day celebrating the art of the album, and just how important they are… AND speaking of albums – they’re re-issuing one of mine, you might know it.. ‘Sing When You’re Winning’.”
The reference to the album reissues refers to how Universal Music Recordings and Island Records are celebrating National Album Day 2026 by reissuing Robbie Williams’ third studio album as a limited-edition 2LP red/blue vinyl set.
That record featured hit songs like ‘Rock DJ’ and ‘Kids (featuring Kylie Minogue)’, and the new reissue will mark the first time it has ever been released on coloured vinyl. It is available to pre-order now.
Today’s announcement of Robbie Williams as National Album Day 2026’s ‘Album Icon’, makes him the latest artist to be honoured as part of the annual event. Other album champions already announced include BRIT Award-winner PinkPantheress, Oscar-nominated composer Max Richter CBE, and former Spice Girl, Melanie C.
Album Champions in previous years have included Wolf Alice, Iron Maiden, Nova Twins, Travis, Kylie Minogue, Elbow, Lewis Capaldi and many more. The event has also been celebrated with a variety of activities such as listening events, live performances, and in-store promotions.
As for other Robbie Williams news, the pop star will headline Lytham Festival in the UK, and play two massive stadium gigs in Ireland. He’ll top the bill at the British Grand Prix in July, too. The dates fall shortly after Glastonbury 2027, sparking rumours that he’ll appear at Worthy Farm.
Williams said in 2023 that he’d “slaughter” Glasto’s coveted Legends Slot if he was booked. “A lot of people there have an oblique perception of what I am. But if they saw me do it, I would take their heads off,” he explained.
Williams released his latest album, ‘Britpop’, in January. He subsequently topped The Beatles’ all-time record for the most UK Number One albums with the project. The artist previously admitted that the prospect of dethroning the Fab Four was something he wanted “more than anything in my career right now”.
