The BRIT Awards 2026 has announced that multi-platinum recording artist, songwriter and producer PinkPantheress is the recipient of this year’s Producer of the Year Award.
The award is decided by a group of expert judges from the music production sector, and has previously been presented to an incredibly selection of British producers including Paul Epworth, Calvin Harris, Fred again.., and last year’s winner, A. G. Cook.
At just 24 years old, PinkPantheress will be the youngest ever recipient of this coveted award, which recognises the excellence of her work in music production.
She is also the first woman to be presented with the honour.
As well as taking home Producer of the Year, PinkPantheress is also nominated for two further awards, for Artist of the Year and Dance Act.
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The BRIT Awards are coming to Manchester for the first time in its history in 2026 / Credit: ITV / BRITs / Co-op Live
PinkPantheress spoke about winning the award: “As the first woman to win this award, I’m grateful to be recognised. My music production is the thing I’m proudest of, and I’ve worked really hard at it, so I hope this inspires others to pursue their passion.”
Stacey Tang, Chair of the 2026 BRIT Awards Committee and Co-President of RCA Records at Sony Music UK said: “PinkPantheress is both an inventive and instinctive voice in British pop right now. As a producer, she’s precise and playful, building bold, boundary expanding sounds that travel beyond the UK.
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“She’s quietly reshaping what modern pop can be, and in doing so, opening the door for a new wave of female producers to step forward. Celebrating her at the BRITs is both timely and significant.”
The BRIT Awards 2026 with Mastercard will take place on Saturday 28 February from Manchester’s Co-op Live, and audiences at home can watch on ITV live or stream later on ITVX.
Comedian and actor Jack Whitehall will return to presenting duties in 2026 – his sixth time hosting the show.
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This year’s incredible line-up of artists include Harry Styles, Olivia Dean, EJAE, Audrey Nuna and REI AMI, the singing voices of HUNTR/X, Wolf Alice, Mark Ronson, ROSALÍA, Alex Warren and SOMBR.
Police issue statement after triple stabbing at Manchester high school
Emily Sergeant
A formal update and police statement has now been issued following a stabbing at a high school in Manchester earlier this morning.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said officers were called to reports of a stabbing at a school on Plant Hill Road in Blackley – confirmed to be Co-op Academy Manchester – earlier this morning (Tuesday 9 June 2026), and when they arrived on the scene, they discovered that two students and a teacher had been injured.
Staff were quick to detain a girl to ensure no further harm came to pupils or staff, before police arrived shortly afterwards.
A 14-year-old girl was arrested on suspicion of section 18 assault, and remains in custody for questioning.
At this time, officers are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident and have stated that there is no wider threat to the public.
The police have issued a statement after a triple stabbing at a Manchester high school / Credit: GMP
As mentioned, three people were injured during the incident – a 14-year-old schoolgirl, a 14-year-old schoolboy, and a 27-year-old male member of staff. All were taken to hospital, however thankfully, their injuries are not believed to be serious, and they are stable at this time.
Giving a statement following the shocking incident earlier this morning, Chief Inspector Jon Shilvock said: “We understand that this incident will have cause concern to pupils, staff and the wider school community.
“The incident was swiftly and quickly dealt with by staff before officers attended to arrest the girl. There is believed to be no wider threat at this time, and we thank everyone for their support as emergency services dealt with this.
“We are not looking anyone further in connection this with this incident.
“Officers will remain at the school and within the area to provide a visible presence and community reassurance.”
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The Weeknd at Etihad Stadium, Manchester – setlist, stage times, tickets and more
Daisy Jackson
The Weeknd’s enormous After Hours Til Dawn world tour will touch down in Manchester this week for two huge stadium shows.
The Blinding Lights singer had previously skipped our city in favour of London, but added two gigs at the Etihad Stadium last autumn, along with new dates in Paris, Barcelona, Lisbon, Copenhagem, Munich and Lille.
The 2026 After Hours Til Dawn Stadium Tour has taken the Canadian diamond-certified global star across the globe.
The Weeknd’s seventh concert tour has been going since 2022, but has evolved over the years ahead of its return to Manchester.
Last time he performed in Manchester back in 2023, some fans were upset with his giant view-blocking moon balloon – but thankfully, The Weeknd is leaving that at home this time.
Instead, you can expect more pyrotechnics and lasers than the Etihad Stadium has ever seen, and a setlist packed with hits.
Here’s everything you need to know for The Weeknd at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester.
What dates is The Weeknd performing in Manchester?
The Weeknd is heading to Manchester this week. Credit: Sebastien Nagy
Thursday 11 June
Friday 12 June
Tickets for The Weeknd at the Etihad Stadium
If you’re hoping to go along to The Weeknd in Manchester, but haven’t sorted tickets yet, worry not.
There’s still really good availability on tickets at the time of writing, especially for Thursday 11 June.
You can see the latest ticket availability for Thursday 11 June HERE and Friday 12 June HERE.
Remaining tickets are priced like so:
Limited view seats – £84.20
Seated tickets – £123.10, £155.75, £204.50
General admission pitch standing – £144.70
East or West pitch standing – £177.50
Expected setlist for The Weeknd
The incredible staging that The Weeknd will bring to Manchester. Credit: Sebastien Nagy
This is the most recent setlist The Weeknd has been using for his South American leg – but it has been changing as the tour has progressed.
This looks like a long setlist, but he does shorten a lot of these right down into one huge mash-up of his hits.
Baptized in Fear
Open Hearts
Wake Me Up
After Hours
Starboy
Heartless
Faith
Cry for Me
São Paulo
Rio
Take My Breath
Sacrifice (Swedish House Mafia remix)
How Do I Make You Love Me?
Can’t Feel My Face
Lost in the Fire (Gesaffelstein cover)
Timeless
Often
I Was Never There
Given Up on Me
The Hills
Creepin’ (Metro Boomin cover)
Niagara Falls
One of the Girls
Stargirl Interlude
Out of Time
I Feel It Coming
Die for You
Is There Someone Else?
Wicked Games
Call Out My Name
The Abyss
Save Your Tears
Less Than Zero
Blinding Lights
Encore
Without a Warning
House of Balloons
Moth to a Flame (Swedish House Mafia cover)
Stage times
VIP Early Access – 4.30pm
Turnstiles open – 5pm
Prince 85 – 6.15pm
Playboi Carti – 7pm
The Weeknd – 8.10pm
Curfew – 10.30pm
Who is supporting The Weeknd in Manchester?
The first support act for The Weeknd in Manchester is Prince 85, a frequent collaborator and mysterious music producer and artist.
Up next will be rap sensation Playboi Carti, another of The Weeknd’s collaborators, who’s known for hits like Magnolia, Sky, and Shoota, as well as his fashion-forward aesthetic and high-energy live shows.
Clementine Hall -
23rd February 2026 
