The historic presentation coincides with the 20th anniversary of the band’s seminal studio album Eyes Open. Originally released in May 2006, the record secured the Northern Irish rock outfit their very first number one spot on the Official Albums Chart, remaining at the summit for three weeks before crowning the end-of-year standings as the UK’s overall biggest album of 2006. The milestone project successfully propelled the group from alternative-rock favourites into one of the defining mainstream acts of the decade.
Frontman Gary Lightbody accepted the inaugural award ahead of the band’s massive headline performance at London’s Crystal Palace Park on Friday, 3 July 2026. Reflecting on the honor, Lightbody expressed his gratitude, noting how the record ultimately granted the band access to global opportunities they never thought possible after grinding through a decade without commercial success following their 1994 formation.
According to official data, Eyes Open has shifted over 2.6 million units in the UK alone, driven by timeless, million-selling anthems like “Chasing Cars,” “You’re All I Have,” and “Open Your Eyes.” The enduring record has spent 35 weeks in the chart’s Top 10, nearly three years inside the Top 100, and is projected to cross the monumental 10 million global sales mark later this year. To further commemorate the legacy, a special 20th anniversary reissue of the album will officially hit shelves on 24 July, arriving the exact same week the Official Albums Chart marks its historic 70th anniversary milestone on 22 July.
