If there was any doubt about who owned the 2026 BRIT Awards, Olivia Dean put it to rest.
Held at Manchester’s newly opened Co-op Live Arena, the U.K.’s biggest night in music felt electric from the jump. Jack Whitehall returned as host for the sixth time, bringing his familiar blend of sarcasm and charm. But the real story unfolded through the wins — and Dean’s name kept coming up.
The Grammy-winning artist swept major categories, taking home artist of the year, album of the year, best pop act, and — alongside Sam Fender — song of the year for their collaboration “Rein Me In.”
Her record The Art of Loving has defined her past year, with tracks like “Man I I Need” and “Nice to Each Other” fueling her meteoric rise. And when she accepted album of the year from Wicked star Jeff Goldblum, the moment clearly hit home.
“Making this album has changed my life,” Dean told fans at the Co-op Live while accepting the BRIT Award for album of the year from Wicked star Jeff Goldblum. She became visibly emotional as she added: “This album is about love and loving each other in a world that feels loveless right now.”
It was one of the night’s most resonant speeches — earnest without being rehearsed.
Performance-wise, anticipation centered around Harry Styles, who delivered his first live rendition of “Aperture” from his upcoming album Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally. The crowd response confirmed what streaming numbers already suggest: his next era is being watched closely.
International honors also shaped the evening. Bruno Mars and Rosé won international song of the year for “APT.,” reinforcing the global reach of their collaboration. Spanish artist Rosalía took international artist of the year after the explosive reception to “Lux.” In a lighter moment, she gave Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher a shoutout as Whitehall navigated the celebrity crowd in front of the stage — one of the show’s more unscripted highlights.
British rock band Wolf Alice earned group of the year, continuing their steady climb within the alternative space.
The ceremony also paused to honor legacy. The late Ozzy Osbourne received a posthumous Lifetime Achievement BRIT, a moment that underscored how deeply rooted rock history remains in the U.K.’s musical identity.
Song of the Year
“Blessings,” Calvin Harris & Clementine Douglas
“The Days,” Chrystal (The NOTION remix)
“Defying Gravity,” Cynthia Erivo ft Ariana Grande
“Azizam,” Ed Sheeran
“Victory Lap,” Fred Again, PlaqueBoyMax, and Skepta
“Survive,” Lewis Capaldi
“Messy,” Lola Young
“Nice to Meet You,” Myles Smith
“Man I Need,” Olivia Dean
“Where Is My Husband?” RAYE
“Rein Me In,” Sam Fender ft Olivia Dean – WINNER
“Family Matters,” Skye Newman
Group of the Year
The Last Dinner Party
Pulp
Sleep Token
Wet Leg
Wolf Alice – WINNER
Breakthrough Artist of the Year
Barry Can’t Swim
EssDeeKid
Jim Legxacy
Lola Young – WINNER
Skye Newman
International Song of the Year
“Ordinary,” Alex Warren
“Pink Pony Club,” Chappell Roan
“No Broke Boys,” Disco Lines and Tinashe
“Sailor Song,” Gigi Perez
“Golden,” HUNTR/X
“Die With A Smile,” Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars
“Love Me Not,” Ravyn Lenae
“APT,” Bruno Mars and Rosé – WINNER
“Manchild,” Sabrina Carpenter
“Undressed,” SOMBR
“The Fate of Ophelia,” Taylor Swift
International Group of the Year
Geese – WINNER
HAIM
Huntr/X
Tame Impala
Turnstile
International Artist
Bad Bunny
Chappell Roan
CMAT
Doechii
Lady Gaga
Rosalia – WINNER
Sabrina Carpenter
Sombr
Taylor Swift
Tyler, The Creator
Artist of the Year
Dave
Fred Again
Lily Allen
Jade
Little Simz
Lola Young
Olivia Dean – WINNER
Pink Pantheress
Sam Fender
Self-Esteem
Album of the Year
Dave, The Boy Who Played the Harp
Lily Allen, West End Girl
Olivia Dean, The Art of Loving – WINNER
Sam Fender, People Watching
Wolf Alice, The Clearing
Pop Act
JADE
Lily Allen
Lola Young
Olivia Dean – WINNER
RAYE
Alt/Rock Act
Blood Orange
Lola Young
Sam Fender – WINNER
Wet Leg
Wolf Alice
Hip-hop/Grime Act
Central Cee
Dave – WINNER
Jim Legxacy
Little Simz
Loyle Carner
Dance Act
Calvin Harris and Clementine Douglas
FKA twigs
Fred Again, PlaqueBoyMax, and Skepta – WINNER
PinkPantheress
R&B Act
Jim Legxacy
KWN
Mabel
Sasha Keeble
SAULT – WINNER
