Nominees revealed for Manchester BRITs 2026 Critics Choice award

The nominations were exclusively revealed this evening on Radio 1’s New Music Show with Jack Saunders. The winner will be announced in January.

The BRIT Awards 2026 with Mastercard will take place on Saturday 28th February from Manchester’s Co-op Live, marking the first time the event has been held in the city and outside of London, and will also be broadcast on ITV and ITVX.

These newly announced artists follow in the footsteps of an impressive alumni of former winners and nominees who have gone on to achieve remarkable success after being shortlisted, including Dua Lipa, Adele, Florence + The Machine, James Blake, Michael Kiwanuka, Sam Smith, Jorja Smith, Griff, FLO, The Last Dinner Party, Myles Smith and more.

The award has reverted to its original name of Critics’ Choice for 2026, in acknowledgement of the importance of ‘critical acclaim’ to artists at this early and crucial stage of their career. The prize was introduced in 2008 to identify the future stars of British music and is decided by an expert panel of new music champions across media, broadcast and industry. It’s designed to highlight artists at the foundational point of their career, with criteria remaining the same as previous years (artists must not have yet achieved a Top 20 album or more than one Top 20 single). The award is open to British artists who, as of 31st October 2025, have not yet achieved an Official Album Charts Top 20 placing or achieved more than one Top 20 chart placing in the Official Singles Chart.

The 2026 BRITs Critics Choice shortlist

1. Jacob Alon

Jacob said: “Ya beauty! Tapadh leibh for recognising my work for this award you legends! Even though I’m Scottish & 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!!!”

Raised in Fife, Jacob first felt the spark of performance at a school talent show, discovering early on that they could command a room with nothing but a piano and a story. That instinct followed them through a childhood spent between winding woods, mischief, and a growing sense of otherness that songwriting helped them reclaim.

2. Rose Gray

Rose 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 ️”

Rose Gray has spent the past year charging forward at full speed. The East London artist burst into 2025 with her debut album ‘Louder, Please’, a record that fused euphoric club culture with razor-sharp pop instincts and immediately shifted the trajectory of her career.

3. SIENNA SPIRO

SIENNA said: "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!"

SIENNA SPIRO has quickly become one of the most compelling new voices in British music, pairing a richly soulful tone with a cinematic approach to storytelling. She introduced herself in May 2024 with her debut single ‘NEED ME’, immediately signalling an artist with emotional depth and a striking sense of identity.

Stacey Tang, Chair of the 2026 BRIT Awards Committee and Co-President of RCA Records at Sony Music UK said: "How exciting to spotlight a new wave of UK musicians shaping popular culture. Awards and recognition for emerging artists is now more important than ever, and Critics’ Choice has long championed brilliantly talented new artists. This cohort shares the same early spark displayed by previous winners like Adele, Florence + The Machine, Sam Fender, Myles Smith and Emeli Sande. This year’s finalists are a great reminder that commercial momentum grows from creative ambition and artistic bravery."

It was announced recently that internationally acclaimed British designer Matthew Williamson is the creative force behind the 2026 trophy. Inspired by his Manchester roots and the city’s famous drive and resilience, the trophy is amber toned resin - resembling the golden honey of a worker bee, the city’s mascot - atop a globe representing the worldwide reach of British music.

The BRIT Awards 2026 with Mastercard will take place on Saturday 28th February from Manchester’s Co-op Live.