Global pop sensation Raye is confirmed to perform at the BRIT Awards 2026 with Mastercard

The BRIT Awards 2026 with Mastercard today announces that global pop sensation RAYE has joined the performing line-up for this year’s show. The BRIT record-breaker, who was the most nominated artist in 2024, is the latest artist to be announced for what is shaping up to be the biggest BRITs ever, as the show heads to the Co-op Live in Manchester this Saturday 28th February. Joining RAYE is a host of incredible talent performing as part of the ceremony and live broadcast, including Harry Styles, Olivia Dean, Wolf Alice, EJAE, Audrey Nuna and REI AMI, the singing voices of HUNTR/X, Alex Warren, Mark Ronson, ROSALÍA and SOMBR.  

With two nominations this year, for Song of the Year with Mastercard and Pop Act, BRIT School- graduate RAYE has cemented her status as one of the most vital artists of her generation, with her extraordinary rise laden with record-breaking achievements and global acclaim. Her long-awaited independent debut album, My 21st Century Blues, made an immediate impact, debuting at Number 2 on the UK Album Chart and spawning the chart-topping, viral global smash ‘Escapism’ featuring 070 Shake, which became the biggest-selling single by a British female artist in the UK in 2023.

In 2024, she made BRITs history by breaking the record for the most nominations in a single year and subsequently breaking the record for most wins in one night, taking home an unprecedented six awards: Songwriter of the Year, Mastercard Album of the Year, Best New Artist, Artist of the Year, Song of the Year with Mastercard and R&B Act, placing her firmly in the BRITs history books. Since then, RAYE’s momentum has continued to grow as she secured a Grammy win, a Number 1 on the UK Singles Chart for ‘WHERE IS MY HUSBAND!’ and announced her upcoming album THIS MUSIC MAY CONTAIN HOPE, marking the next chapter in her artistic evolution. From radio to club to global stages, RAYE’s artistry, voice and vision have redefined the modern British pop landscape, a reputation she is set to continue building as she takes her celebrated catalogue and new music on the road for her massive 51-date global ‘THIS TOUR MAY CONTAIN NEW MUSIC’ tour.

RAYE said: "We are so grateful to the BRIT Awards for having us back on their stage. Me and the band are very excited. Lots of love, Raye."

The BRITs also confirm today that DJ AG, renowned for his open format DJing and strong community focus, will make a special appearance outside Manchester’s Piccadilly station this Friday 27th February, as part of the lead up to the UK’s biggest night in music. 

As part of a wider cultural takeover across the city and region, he will surprise and delight fans and commuters alike with a dynamic and crowd-pleasing performance, which will transform the busy city centre location into an open-air celebration of music. He will be joined by BRIT Award R&B Act nominee Sasha Keable, in an exclusive set from 4pm-8pm.

Debuting at its new Manchester home, the Co-op Live, on Saturday 28th February The BRIT Awards will be broadcast live exclusively on ITV and ITVX. Award-winning comedian and writer Jack Whitehall returns to host the show, and the winners of each category will each take home the iconic BRITs trophy, this year conceptualised and designed by internationally acclaimed and Manchester-born designer Matthew Williamson, inspired by his roots to the city.

This year, in another first spearheaded by Sony Music on behalf of the UK music industry, The BRIT Awards will reach a global audience through an innovative multi-platform rollout with ITV and YouTube, as they join for a global partnership. For the first time ever, UK viewers can watch the show on ITV’s YouTube channel, as well as on ITV1 and ITVX. For the 13th year running, international viewers can tune in via The BRITs’ YouTube channel. 

The BRIT Awards 2026 with Mastercard will take place on Saturday 28th February from Manchester’s Co-op Live. 

Leading the charge for this year’s nominations are Olivia Dean and Lola Young with five nominations each, closely followed by Sam Fender with four nominations following his Mercury Prize win last year. Other British artists up for awards this year include Lily Allen, Calvin Harris, JADE, Wolf Alice, Ed Sheeran, Little Simz, PinkPantheress, RAYE, Skye Newman, Wet Leg and more. British icons Pulp have received their first nomination since 1996. 

Hollywood is also represented in this year’s nominations, with two of 2025’s biggest cultural moments featured with Cynthia Erivo for her rendition of Wicked’s ‘Defying Gravity’ and KPop Demon Hunter’s ‘Golden’ from HUNTR/X - EJAE / Audrey Nuna / REI AMi. A number of artists have received nominations across International categories too, including Bad Bunny, Doechii, ROSALÍA, SOMBR, Chappell Roan, CMAT, Sabrina Carpenter, Taylor Swift, HAIM and Tame Impala. 

Scottish singer/songwriter Jacob Alon is the winner of this year’s BRITs Critics’ Choice. Rose Gray and SIENNA SPIRO joined Jacob on the shortlist of the prestigious Critics’ Choice award. 

Details for the BRITs Fringe, a programme of engagement taking place across Manchester ahead of this year’s event, were also announced recently. BRITs Fringe celebrates the city’s rich musical heritage, its vibrant contemporary scene and the next generation shaping the future of UK music.

Award-winning comedian, actor, presenter and writer Jack Whitehall will be the host for this year’s ceremony. The news was announced via his “Ode to Manchester”, shared exclusively across BRITs’ socials. In true Jack fashion, he covers everything from the cobbles of Coronation Street to the Curry Mile, the Industrial Revolution to the invention of barm cake. Jack’s return to Manchester marks his sixth time presenting the show, having previously hosted in 2025, 2021, 2020, 2019, and 2018. 

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. 

Mastercard will continue their long-standing headline sponsorship of The BRITs as it moves into its 29th year. ITV remains the official broadcaster for the 34th year, with the awards airing on ITV, STV, ITVX and STV Player. 

These partnerships are vital in supporting and amplifying The BRITs’ vision and values, including fundraising for the awards’ charitable arm, The BRIT Trust, with a core pillar of the Trust the distribution of funds to charities which promote education and wellbeing through music, including The BRIT School and Nordoff and Robbins Music Therapy.