Olivia Dean was the dominant force at the 2026 BRIT Awards, securing four awards including Artist of the Year and Album of the Year for her 2025 release, The Art of Loving. The ceremony, held at Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena on February 28th, marked the first time in the 46-year history of the awards that the event took place outside of London.
Dean also took home the awards for Best Pop Act and Song of the Year, the latter for her collaboration with Sam Fender, “Rein Me In.” Fender, who shared the Song of the Year award with Dean, was also nominated for Artist of the Year. The singer-songwriter’s breakthrough year included a Grammy Award for Best New Artist in January, according to reports.
Beyond Dean’s success, the evening saw a range of artists recognized for their contributions to music. Noel Gallagher, following Oasis’ reunion tour in 2025, received the Songwriter of the Year award. PinkPantheress was honored as Producer of the Year, becoming the youngest and first female recipient of the award, announced prior to the ceremony. Wolf Alice was named Best Group.
International accolades were also presented, with Rosalía winning International Artist of the Year and the New York-based band Geese claiming the International Group of the Year award. Geese’s Max Bassin used his acceptance speech to voice political sentiments, stating, “Free Palestine, fuck ICE, proceed Geese.” Rosé and Bruno Mars’ “Apt” was awarded International Song of the Year.
The BRIT Awards also recognized talent within specific genres. Fred again.., alongside Skepta and PlaqueBoyMax, won the Dance Act award. Sam Fender secured the Alternative/Rock Act award, while Dave was recognized in the Hip Hop/Grime/Rap Act category. Sault took home the R&B Act award.
Lola Young was named Breakthrough Artist and Jacob Alon was previously announced as the winner of the 2026 BRITs Critics’ Choice Award. The ceremony featured performances from Harry Styles, in his first public appearance in three years, as well as Rosalía, Olivia Dean, HUNTR/X’s EJAE, Audrey Nuna and REI AMI, Wolf Alice, Mark Ronson, Alex Warren, Sombr, and RAYE. Jack Whitehall hosted the event for the sixth consecutive year.
The full list of winners is as follows:
- Song of the Year With Mastercard: Sam Fender [ft. Olivia Dean] – “Rein Me In”
- Group of the Year: Wolf Alice
- Breakthrough Artist: Lola Young
- International Song of the Year: Rosé & Bruno Mars – “Apt.”
- International Group of the Year: Geese
- International Artist of the Year: Rosalía
- Artist of the Year: Olivia Dean
- Hip Hop/Grime/Rap Act: Dave
- Dance Act: Fred again.., Skepta, PlaqueBoyMax
- Alternative/Rock Act: Sam Fender
- Pop Act: Olivia Dean
- R&B Act: Sault
- Mastercard Album of the Year: Olivia Dean – The Art of Loving
- Critics’ Choice: Jacob Alon
