Brit School graduates Olivia Dean and Lola Young dominate the nominations for next month’s Brit Awards, with five each, while indie giants Pulp have been put forward for Best Group for the first time in 30 years.
Dean – boasting two nominations in the Song of the Year category as well as nods for Album of the Year, Artist of the Year and Best Pop Act – will also perform at the ceremony in Manchester, with more acts to be announced.
Speaking to the Brit Awards, the Man I Need singer said “‘it feels crazy” to be nominated five times, adding “it would be crazy to be nominated for just one”.
Meanwhile, Young is up for Artist of the Year, Breakthrough Artist, Best Alt/Rock Act, Best Pop Act and Song of the Year for her hit single Messy.
Hollywood is also well represented, with nominations for songs from both Wicked’s Cynthia Erivo and Kpop Demon Hunters in the international category, as Pulp receive their first nod for Best Group since 1996.
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Elsewhere, some of pop’s biggest stars in CMAT, Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter – maybe without her Beefeater dancers – and Chappell Roan will face off in the International Artist Of The Year category.
And Sam Fender, fresh off his win at the 2025 Mercury Prize for People Watching, will hope to win Best Alternative/Rock Act for the second year running.
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He’s up for four nominations, while Dave, Wolf Alice, Lily Allen, Fred again.. and newcomer Jim Legxacy are all nominated for three.
This year’s ceremony marks the first time it will be hosted at the Co-op Live arena in Manchester, with the Mercury Prize also moving up north.
Keep an eye out for the winners of Songwriter of the Year and Producer of the Year, which will be revealed over the coming weeks, along with other show announcements.
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Check out the full list of nominations for the 2026 Brit Awards below:
Song Of The Year (public vote)
Cynthia Erivo (feat. Ariana Grande) – Defying Gravity
Lola Young – Messy
Olivia Dean – Man I Need
Sam Fender & Olivia Dean – Rein Me In
Fred again.., Skepta & PlaqueBoyMax – Victory Lap
Lewis Capaldi – Survive
Chrystal – The Days (NOTION Remix)
Calvin Harris & Clementine Douglas – Blessings
Myles Smith – Nice To Meet You
RAYE – WHERE IS MY HUSBAND!
Skye Newman – Family Matters
Breakthrough Artist
Lola Young
Jim Legxacy
Barry Can’t Swim
EsDeeKid
Skye Newman
Artist Of The Year
Lola Young
Olivia Dean
Sam Fender
Dave
Fred again..
Lily Allen
JADE
Little Simz
Self Esteem
PinkPantheress
Group Of The Year
Wolf Alice
Pulp
Wet Leg
Sleep Token
The Last Dinner Party
International Group Of The Year
Geese
Turnstile
HAIM
Tame Impala
Huntrix (Ejae, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami)
Best Pop Act
Lola Young
Olivia Dean
JADE
Lily Allen
RAYE
R&B Act
Jim Legxacy
kwn
Mabel
Sault
Sasha Keable
Best Alternative/Rock Act
Lola Young
Sam Fender
Wolf Alice
Wet Leg
Blood Orange
Best Dance Act
Fred again.., Skepta & PlaqueBoyMax
FKA twigs
PinkPanthress
Sammy Virji
Calvin Harris & Clementine Douglas
Best Hip Hop/Grime/Rap Act
Dave
Jim Legxacy
Central Cee
Loyle Carner
Little Simz
International Artist Of The Year
Bad Bunny
Doechii
Rosalia
sombr
Chappell Roan
CMAT
Sabrina Carpenter
Taylor Swift
Tyler, The Creator
International Song Of The Year (public vote)
ROSE & Bruno Mars – APT.
Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars – Die With A Smile
Gracie Abrams – That’s So True
Gigi Perez – Sailor Song
Alex Warren – Ordinary
Disco Lines & Tinashe – No Broke Boys
Ravyn Lenae – Love Me Not
Sabrina Carpenter – Manchild
Taylor Swift – The Fate of Ophelia
Chappell Roan – Pink Pony Club
Sombr – undressed
Huntrix (Ejae, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami) – Golden
Album Of The Year
Olivia Dean – The Art Of Loving
Sam Fender – People Watching
Dave – The Boy Who Played The Harp
Lily Allen – West End Girl
Wolf Alice – The Clearing
The 2026 BRIT Awards takes place on Saturday 28 February at the Co-op Live arena in Manchester and will be broadcast live on ITV and ITVX.
