BRITs 2026: Sammy Virji, PinkPantheress, Fred again.., Jim Legxacy among nominees

The nominations for the 2026 BRIT Awards have been announced ahead of next month’s ceremony. 

The Best Dance Act contenders are Calvin Harris & Clementine Douglas, FKA Twigs, Fred again… with Skepta and PlaqueBoyMax, PinkPantheress and Sammy Virji. 

Elsewhere, UK rapper Dave is up for Album of the Year for ‘The Boy Who Played the Harp’, and also received a nod for Artist of the Year on a shortlist featuring Little Simz, PinkPantheress, and Fred again…

Song of the Year contenders include Calvin Harris and Clementine Douglas for ‘Blessings’, NOTION’s remix of their CHRYSTAL collaboration, ‘The Days’, and Fred again..’s joint effort with Skepta and PlaqueBoyMax, ‘Victory Lap’.

Meanwhile, Barry Can’t Swim joins British MCs Jim Legxacy and EsDeeKid in the running for Breakthrough Artist.

The nominations were revealed on Tuesday night at a closed event hosted by TV presenter Charley Marlow and DJ-broadcaster, Sarah Story. Almost 70% of the total shortlisted acts and tracks feature women and non-binary people, either within groups, as collaborators or solo artists. 

“It’s fantastic to see British talent doing so well across the board, especially a next generation of brilliant artists who have broken through with such impact on the global stage in the past 12 months led by Olivia Dean, Lola Young, Sam Fender, PinkPantheress, Skye Newman, among others – our congratulations to all The BRITs nominees and their labels,” said Dr Jo Twist OBE, Chief Executive of UK music industry body BPI.

“The breadth of artists nominated reflects a thriving year in music and reaffirms that British artists continue to capture imaginations across the globe,” added Stacey Tang, Chair of the 2026 BRIT Awards Committee and Co-President of RCA Records at Sony Music UK.

“I think this list is a powerful demonstration of how vibrant and varied music is right now, with artists across different genres and generations reflecting music that is both commercially successful and has lasting cultural impact.”

The 2026 BRITs will be held at Manchester’s Co-Op Live arena, the UK’s biggest indoor venue, on 28th February, marking the first time the ceremony has been staged outside London. Comedian Jack Whitehall will host the event. The following month, the city will welcome the MOBO Awards.

Check out the full list of 2026 nominations below. 

Mastercard 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’

Artist of the Year 

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

Song of the Year with Mastercard 

Calvin Harris, Clementine Douglas – ‘Blessings’
CHRYSTAL, NOTION – ‘The Days (NOTION REMIX)’
Cynthia Ervio (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 (with Olivia Dean) – ‘Rein Me In’
Skye Newman – ‘Family Matters’

Group of the Year 

The Last Dinner Party
Pulp
Sleep Token
Wet Leg
Wolf Alice

Breakthrough Artist 

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

International Artist of the Year

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

International Song of the Year 

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 – EJAE/ Audrey Nuna/ REI AMI – ‘Golden’ [From KPop Demon Hunters]
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’

International Group of the Year 

Geese
HAIM
HUNTR/X – EJAE/Audrey Nuna/REI AMI
Tame Impala
Turnstile

Alternative/Rock Act 

Blood Orange
Lola Young
Sam Fender
Wet Leg
Wolf Alice

Hip Hop / Grime / Rap 

Central Cee
Dave
Jim Legxacy
Little Simz
Loyle Carner

Dance Act 

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

Pop Act

JADE
Lily Allen
Lola Young
Olivia Dean
RAYE
Jim Legxacy
kwn
Mabel
Sasha Keable
SAULT

Critics’ Choice 

Jacob Alon
Rose Gray
Sienna Spiro