The award-winning comedian and actor will host this year’s ceremony
The 2026 BRITS, in partnership with Mastercard, is set to take place at Manchester’s Co-op Live on Saturday 28 February, marking a momentous occasion for the city as its first time hosting the prestigious awards.
Today, it has been announced that award-winning comedian, actor, presenter and writer Jack Whitehall will host this year’s ceremony, which will be broadcast exclusively on ITV1 and ITVX.
The news of Jack’s return was announced via his “Ode to Manchester”, shared exclusively across BRITs’ socials this morning, where Jack covers everything from the cobbles of Coronation Street to the Curry Mile, the Industrial Revolution to the invention of barm cake.
This year the BRIT award has been designed by internationally acclaimed British designer Matthew Williamson. 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 are particularly special for Jack as his connections to the BRITs’ new home run deep, having studied at the University of Manchester before moving into comedy and, by his own account, credits the city as one of the most influential places that helped shape his early comedy career.
Jack said “I am so excited to be coming back for this very special BRIT Awards in Manchester, a place that is so important to me. The city I started my comedy career in, it feels like a real full circle moment returning to host this historic night at the Co-op Live, a venue that is only a stone’s throw away from the comedy club I did my first 10 minute set in all those years ago. Hopefully I get a few more laughs than I did that night. I cannot wait.”
For all the latest updates, visit brits.co.uk.
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