Catch up on the essentials
- An independent study by AMION Consulting concluded that the 2026 BRIT Awards produced £5 million in net additional expenditure in Manchester, with £3.6 million coming from visitors and the remaining £1.4 million tied to organiser and partner spending.
- The same study reported £3.45 million in gross value added and 3,099 one-week temporary jobs, equivalent to 15,497 days of employment for Manchester-based workers.
- Manchester City Council leader Garry Bridges called the show "phenomenally successful," pointing to social and economic reach across the city.
Selected from this article · 2026-10-01
Read on for the full pictureThe headline economic impact
An independent study by AMION Consulting concluded that the 2026 BRIT Awards produced £5 million in net additional expenditure in Manchester, with £3.6 million coming from visitors and the remaining £1.4 million tied to organiser and partner spending. The awards were held outside London for the first time in the ceremony's roughly 50-year history, taking place at Manchester's Co-op Live arena on 28 February. Researchers adjusted for displacement and excluded ticket income to avoid overstating the effect.
Jobs, gross value added and audience response
The same study reported £3.45 million in gross value added and 3,099 one-week temporary jobs, equivalent to 15,497 days of employment for Manchester-based workers. Nearly 25,000 people attended the award show and wider surrounding events, and 92% of award show attendees rated the experience as excellent or good, with 94% giving the same rating to wider BRITs events. Researchers placed the social impact of the move at a monetised £11.2 million, factoring in cultural participation, digital engagement and Manchester's profile as an events destination.
Statements from Manchester and the BRITs
Greater Manchester Mayor Bev Craig said holding the awards in Manchester "was a recognition not only of our unmatched music heritage, but our growing reputation for putting on national and global events and making a success of them," and pledged an even bigger 2027 event. Manchester City Council leader Garry Bridges called the show "phenomenally successful," pointing to social and economic reach across the city. Dr Jo Twist OBE, CEO of the BPI, which owns and organizes the awards, said the body is "delighted that a legacy is being created for the city and its communities."
Industry framing and 2027 outlook
Stacey Tang, Co-President of RCA Records at Sony Music UK and Chair of the BRITs Committee, framed the move as opening up opportunities beyond London, with the report intended as "an exciting foundation to build on for the future." The 2027 BRIT Awards are scheduled for Saturday, 27 February in Manchester, where the BPI has said it plans to work with record label members and partners on "an even more memorable and impactful series of events."
Key figures from the 2026 ceremony
The 2026 show was hosted by Jack Whitehall and featured performances from Harry Styles, Olivia Dean, Raye and Mark Ronson, with Dean winning the artist of the year award. Community initiatives, educational engagement and networking events were held in Manchester in the weeks leading up to the ceremony, and researchers highlighted increased visibility for Manchester's music ecosystem alongside the financial returns.
Follow-up signals
The next verifiable milestone is the 2027 BRIT Awards ceremony scheduled for Saturday, 27 February, again in Manchester, with the BPI indicating further impact reporting as preparations progress.
Share this article
