Olivia Dean and Lola Young Dominate Brit Awards 2026 Nominations
Singer-songwriters Olivia Dean and Lola Young have emerged as the frontrunners for the 2026 Brit awards, each receiving an impressive five nominations. This achievement marks a significant milestone in their careers, propelling them to the forefront of the British music industry. The nominations highlight their artistic versatility and commercial success, setting the stage for a highly anticipated awards ceremony.
Breakthrough Artists Secure Multiple Nods
Olivia Dean, aged 26, is nominated in several key categories, including artist of the year and album of the year for The Art of Loving. Her album has achieved global acclaim, topping the UK charts and reaching number three in the US. The lead single, Man I Need, has maintained a strong presence in the UK Top 10 since its release in August, even securing the number one spot. Dean is also recognised for song of the year with Man I Need and Rein Me In, the latter featuring a collaboration with Sam Fender.
Lola Young, 25, is equally prominent with nominations for artist of the year, breakthrough artist, and appearances in alternative/rock and pop categories. Her 2025 album, I'm Only F**king Myself, showcases a charismatic exploration of addiction and romantic frustration, with the single Messy spending four weeks at number one. Both artists are also contenders for best new artist at the upcoming Grammy awards, underscoring their international recognition.
Diverse Lineup and Notable Snubs
The nominations reflect a broader shift towards gender diversity in the Brit awards. This year, 70% of nominees are female, non-binary, or from mixed-gender groups, a notable improvement from previous male-dominated years. However, this representation masks underlying issues in the industry, as only 41 out of 116 eligible albums for British album of the year were by female acts or mixed-gender groups, with just 25 being solely female.
Other standout nominees include Sam Fender, who earned four nominations, including artist and album of the year for People Watching, which won the 2025 Mercury prize. Lily Allen makes a remarkable return with three nominations for her album West End Girl, while rap talents Dave and Jim Legxacy each receive three nods. Rock band Wolf Alice and dance star Fred Again also feature prominently with three nominations each.
Despite the strong lineup, several major artists were overlooked. Ed Sheeran received only one nomination in the song of the year category, while acts like Florence + the Machine, Yungblud, and Central Cee were notably absent from key categories. In the international sections, stars such as Taylor Swift and Lady Gaga are joined by breakthrough acts like Geese and the animated trio Huntr/x from Netflix's KPop Demon Hunters.
Ceremony Details and Historical Context
The 2026 Brit awards ceremony will be held for the first time in Manchester at the Co-op Live arena on Saturday, 28 February, and broadcast on ITV, with Jack Whitehall hosting. Olivia Dean is set to deliver the opening performance, adding to the event's excitement.
A notable return to the ceremony is Jarvis Cocker, whose band Pulp is nominated for group of the year—their first nomination since 1996. That year, Cocker famously protested Michael Jackson's performance by presenting his clothed bottom to the audience, an incident that led to police questioning and increased scrutiny. Reflecting on the event, Cocker described it as "a form of protest" and acknowledged the challenges it brought to his personal life.
The awards are decided by the Brits academy, comprising over 1,200 music industry professionals, except for the song of the year categories, which are voted on by the public via WhatsApp. This public vote could lead to surprises, with fan-favourite tracks like Defying Gravity by Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande in contention. Additionally, the critics' choice award has already been awarded to Scottish singer-songwriter Jacob Alon, who expressed gratitude for the recognition.
Full List of Key Nominations
Artist of the Year: Dave, Fred Again, Jade, Lily Allen, Little Simz, Lola Young, Olivia Dean, PinkPantheress, 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, Sam Fender – People Watching, Wolf Alice – The Clearing.
Breakthrough Artist: Barry Can't Swim, EsDeeKid, Jim Legxacy, Lola Young, Skye Newman.
International Artist: Bad Bunny, Chappell Roan, CMAT, Doechii, Lady Gaga, Rosalía, Sabrina Carpenter, Sombr, Taylor Swift, Tyler, the Creator.
Song of the Year (Public Vote): Includes tracks by Calvin Harris, Lola Young, Olivia Dean, and Sam Fender with Olivia Dean.
As the music world anticipates the ceremony, the 2026 Brit awards promise to celebrate a dynamic and inclusive array of talent, while addressing ongoing industry challenges.
