1 BRIT Awards artist predicted to ‘sweep the board’ at 2026 ceremony

The BRIT Awards is creating history by stepping outside London for the first time in its 49-year run. The event takes place this Saturday, 28 February, at Manchester’s Co-op Live arena – and one artist is predicted to win big

The BRIT Awards makes its return this weekend for the 2026 ceremony, creating history by stepping outside London for the first time in its 49-year run. The spectacular takes place this Saturday, 28 February, at Manchester’s Co-op Live arena.

Comedian Jack Whitehall is returning for his sixth turn as chief presenter of the BRIT awards, whilst Charley Marlowe and Tyler West will handle the Red Carpet proceedings. Olivia Dean and Lola Young are topping the nominations this year with five nods apiece, whilst Sam Fender trails closely behind with four – and punters believe one performer is set to sweep the board: Olivia.

The 26-year-old from London is enjoying a remarkable year, transforming from a “best-kept secret” into a global phenomenon with chart-conquering triumph across the pond and beyond.

This month, she claimed Best New Artist at the 68th Grammy Awards, marking her as the first British performer to land the “Big Four” gong since Dua Lipa in 2019.

She was also named Record Store Day UK 2026 Ambassador and recently received recognition as Rookie of the Year from Billboard.

Dean further made history as the first British solo female performer since Adele to claim both the UK No. 1 album and single simultaneously.

Her breakout anthem “Man I Need” dominated the UK charts and climbed to No. 2 on the US Billboard Hot 100, whilst she’s unleashed other colossal bangers including “So Easy (To Fall In Love)” and “Nice To Each Other”.

Discussing this year’s ceremony on Reddit, one enthusiast observed: “It seems like an Olivia Dean sweep is imminent this year.”

Meanwhile, another chimed in: “Olivia seems to be the frontrunner here but for Album of the Year I can see Lily Allen (critically acclaimed, had a viral moment) and Sam Fender (Mercury Prize winner, Brit Awards love him) winning too.”

A third noted: “I can see it being similar to Raye’s year where she [Olivia] sweeps most of the categories.”

That being said, numerous commentators believe it could just as easily be Lily Allen’s time to triumph.

“I can see Lily Allen snatching a few,” one individual proposed, whilst another described it as “Lily Allen’s renaissance”.

A third chimed in: “Genuinely one of the strongest years for British music in a really long time.

“The past few years have relied heavily on one or two acts making waves, whereas this year feels competitive.

“Predicting big wins for Olivia Dean and Lily Allen. Sam Fender has a lot of momentum behind him after the Mercury Prize win so I wouldn’t be shocked if he takes one of the big prizes home either.”

Outside the primary categories, the late Ozzy Osbourne is poised to collect the Lifetime Achievement Award, whilst Noel Gallagher has been named Songwriter of the Year. Mark Ronson is likewise being recognised for Outstanding Contribution to Music.

Additionally, PinkPantheress becomes the first female winner of Producer of the Year, and Jacob Alon secures the Critics’ Choice accolade. The ceremony will also feature performances from a star-studded line-up, including Olivia Dean, alongside Harry Styles, RAYE, Wolf Alice, Sombr and Alex Warren.

The Brits Awards 2026 will be broadcast live on ITV1 and ITVX in the UK at 8:15PM. In a first, UK fans can also tune in live on YouTube.