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The BRIT Awards announce Manchester host as Jack Whitehall, plus ticket info

Tickets are on sale today.

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 9th December 2025

Jack Whitehall will host this year’s BRIT Awards, as the glittering music ceremony moves up to Manchester for the first time.

The BRIT Awards 2026 has now also confirmed that public tickets will be going on sale today, so us Mancs have a chance with being right in the action when the awards take place at the Co-op Live in February.

This is the first time in the nearly-50 year history of the BRITs that the show has moved north, with an exclusive broadcast with ITV1 and ITVX.

And Jack Whitehall will be back once again, after a five different gigs hosting the show down in London.

The BRIT Awards 2026 with Mastercard announced the news with an ‘Ode to Manchester’ video with Jack Whitehall, where he takes a green screen trip down the Curry Mile (except it’s actually the Northern Quarter), visits the Coronation Street cobbles, and pokes fun at the arrival of Soho House.

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The comedian may be as southern as they come, but has special connections to Manchester, having studied at the University of Manchester – and later revisited those days in the sitcom Fresh Meat.

Jack credits the city as one of the most influential places that helped shape his early comedy career.

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Jack said: “I am so excited to be coming back for this very special BRIT Awards in Manchester, a place that is so important to me.

“The city I started my comedy career in, it feels like a real full circle moment returning to host this historic night at the Co-op Live, a venue that is only a stone’s throw away from the comedy club I did my first 10 minute set in all those years ago.

“Hopefully I get a few more laughs than I did that night. I cannot wait.”

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The BRIT Awards 2026 will be taking place at the Co-op Live in Manchester on 28 February – and tickets will be going on sale from 10am HERE.

Matthew Williamson with this year's BRIT Award trophy. Credit: Supplied
Matthew Williamson with this year’s BRIT Award trophy. Credit: Supplied

Last week, the shortlist was revealed for the prestigious BRITs Critics’ Choice award (previous winners include Dua Lipa, Adele, The Last Dinner Party and more), with Jacob Alon, Rose Gray and SIENNA SPIRO the chosen three.

And this year’s physical BRIT Award is designed by internationally acclaimed British designer Matthew Williamson, inspired by his Manchester roots and built from an amber toned resin – resembling the golden honey of a worker bee.

Stacey Tang, Chair of the 2026 BRIT Awards Committee and Co-President of RCA Records at Sony Music UK said: “Jack is absolutely brilliant at his craft so we are thrilled to welcome him back and excited for the fun and mischief he’s bound to bring to the show again this year.

“His legacy hosting the awards speaks for itself and as the BRITs enters a new era, in a city familiar to him, there’s nobody better placed to take the helm of the biggest night in music.”

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Featured image: Supplied

Audio

A big battle of the bands is happening in Manchester this week – and it’s all for charity

Danny Jones Danny Jones Battle of the bands event Manchester tickets Band on the Wall

A massive battle of the bands event is happening in Manchester this week, and it’s helping raise money for crucial grassroots organisations.

Better still, it’s happening at one of our favourite venues in the city centre: Band on the Wall.

Now, the beloved Northern Quarter institution hosts all kinds of live music throughout the year, so they’re no strangers to events like a battle of the bands competition. Teaming up with homegrown charity Forever Manchester and some other well-known faces, this is set to be a big one.

This brand new event will see local businesses and employees come together to form a band for one night only, to see who is the best of the best up on stage. Who knows? You could be about to see the best-kept secret…

Yes, Manc worker bees are banding together (quite literally) to form the exclusive super group and will be judged by a panel of audiophile aficionados.

It doesn’t matter whether you work in the industry, you do office admin or work in a cafe all day long; at the debut ‘Forever Manchester Rocks‘ competition, consider yourself a music god in the making.

The live on-stage battle is open to pre-existing bands who have already played together, but we’ll confess, we’re looking forward to seeing what those cobbled together specifically for this contest are going to sound like.

Finalists not only have the opportunity to perform at the most iconic venues, but the winners of this year’s competition will claim the inaugural ‘Manchester Business Rocks Legends’ trophy, as well as being invited to play the annual Forever Manchester Birthday Party at the Kimpton Clocktower in February.

Once again, the best part of this new battle of the bands event at Band on the Wall is that it’s all for the greater good, with important funding being generated for local community groups – a cause that both pursue with 24/7, 365 days a year.

fall out boy band on the wall mcr
We’ve seen some pretty big names here.
band on the wall NQ
Credit: Audio North/Band on the Wall (via Instagram/supplied)

If you’re interested in a last-minute sign-up, the rules for entering the competition are as follows: 

  • A majority of band members must work at the same company or in the same industry
  • Covers or originals welcome – just bring your best 15-minute set
  • You bring the instruments and tunes – the backline, PA and sound engineer will be provided
  • Acts will be judged on talent, energy, crowd reaction, showmanship and amount of money raised. 

Nick Massey CBE, chief exec at Forever Manchester, said: “As a region famed for its musical prowess, entrepreneurial spirit and its sense of community, Forever Manchester Rocks just made total sense to me as our next big occasion.

“It is a battle like no other, and we’re calling for businesses across the region to trade their KPIs for killer riffs to show us how they shine on stage… And it’s all in support of a fantastic cause, with the money raised helping to fund vital community initiatives in the Greater Manchester region.

“We can’t wait to see colleagues from across the region unleash their hidden talents and bring that Manchester energy to Band on the Wall on 10 December!” 

For those looking to come along this Wednesday (10 Dec), you can grab your tickets HERE.

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For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — The Manc Group/Billy Weaver (supplied)

Audio

Stereophonics at Co-op Live, Manchester – tickets, times, setlist and more for UK tour

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia

It might not be an ‘Indian Summer’, but it’s definitely a Stereophonics winter as they’re playing out in UK venues including Co-op Live, Manchester.

Beloved 90’s Welsh rockers Stereophonics are returning to Manchester for the winter season, and if you ask us, it feels like Christmas has come early.

Known for their massive tracks like ‘Dakota’, ‘Have A Nice Day’, ‘Handbags And Gladrags’ and more, this four-piece has been powering us through life for the past three decades.

Their latest album Make ‘Em Laugh Make ‘Em Cry Make ‘Em Wait dropped back in April, and fans will be eager to hear singles from this LP like ‘There’s Always Gonna Be Something’ and ‘Seems Like You Don’t Know Me’.

Stereophonics are coming to Co-op Live, Manchester on 12 December as part of their winter arena tour / Credit: James D Kelly (via Press Shots)
Stereophonics are coming to Co-op Live, Manchester on 12 December as part of their winter arena tour / Credit: James D Kelly (via Press Shots)
Stereophonics come to Co-op Live, Manchester on 12 December (Credit: James D Kelly)

Now, Kelly, Richard, Adam and Jamie are playing a string of arena shows across the UK, and they’ve decided to stop off at Manchester’s largest indoor entertainment venue, Co-op Live, too.

Gig guide | Stereophonics Co-op Live

Stereophonics UK tour dates

We’ve highlighted all the Northern dates for you.

  • Sat 6 December – Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK – Utilita Arena
  • Sun 7 December – Sheffield, UK – Utilita Arena
  • Tue 9 December – Aberdeen, UK – P&J Live
  • Wed 10 December – Glasgow, UK -OVO Hydro
  • Fri 12 December – Manchester, UK – Co-op Live
  • Sat 13 December – Birmingham, UK – Utilita Arena
  • Tue 16 December – Liverpool, UK – M&S Bank Arena
  • Thu 18 December – London, UK – The O2

We were lucky enough to catch them in Yorkshire earlier this month, and they did not disappoint. You can read our full review HERE.

Are there tickets left for Stereophonics in Manchester?

The staple rock band are visiting every stretch of the UK, stopping off for one night only in Manchester on 12 December before they close out in London and the ever-impressive The O2.

Well, we hope you ‘Have a Nice Day’ and an even better one after we tell you that tickets to Stereophonics’ upcoming arena date in Manchester are still available HERE.

Stereophonics setlist

  • Vegas Two Times
  • I Wanna Get Lost With You
  • Have a Nice Day
  • There’s Always Gonna Be Something
  • Do Ya Feel My Love
  • Pick a Part That’s New
  • Hurry Up and Wait
  • Superman
  • Geronimo
  • Maybe Tomorrow
  • Colours of October
  • Local Boy in the Photograph
  • I Wouldn’t Believe Your Radio
  • Rewind
  • Mr. Writer
  • Seems Like You Don’t Know Me
  • Mr and Mrs Smith
  • Fly Like an Eagle
  • The Bartender and the Thief
  • 100MPH
  • Traffic
  • C’est La Vie
  • Dakota

What are the stage times for Stereophonics in Manchester?

Co-op Live has a strict curfew of 11pm, meaning you can rock out all night long to these Welsh lads without wondering if it ’Maybe Tomorrow′ or not.

There’s no official support act listed, but when this current run of UK shows is labelled the No Hit Left Behind Tour, Stereophonics will more than likely be rocking out on the stage for a pretty lengthy amount of time, as you can see by the setlist.

How to get to Co-op Live

Tram

For those of you heading to Co-op Live, you’ll be glad to know it’s right next door to a rather famous big blue stadium and its integrated Metrolink stop.

Head along the light blue or orange lines directly to the Etihad Campus or Ashton-under-Lyne, and you can get off the tram literally spitting distance from the arena. You can find the full map HERE.

Trams run frequently on the Ashton-Eccles line to the Etihad stop, with services leaving every six minutes from the city centre and until 1:00am on Fridays and Saturdays.

Bus

You can find the full list of bus routes HERE, with the one in closest proximity to the venue being the 53 bus, which runs from Cheetham Hill through to Higher Crumpsall, Old Trafford and Pendleton, leaving just a two-minute walk to Co-op Live. You also get free Bee Network travel with any valid event ticket.

Getting there by car and parking

If you’re driving, there is limited parking available at the venue, but this must be pre-booked ahead of time, and there are designated drop-off areas.

The postcode is M11 3DU, and you can follow the signs towards the wider Etihad Campus as you get closer; directions to the adjacent drop-off points will also be signposted.

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Keep in mind that congestion on the roads close to the stadium is expected to gather around two hours prior to any event, so if you are travelling on the road, these are the suggested times they provide come event day, though estimates will obviously vary:

  • Alan Turing Way (both directions): plan an additional 20 minutes into any journey by road.
  • Hyde Road (eastbound): expect an additional 15 minutes to be added to your journey.
  • Mancunian Way (westbound): plan for an extra 10 minutes of travel time.

There are also three park-and-ride facilities near Co-op Live, but be advised that the Velopark and Holt Town stops will be closed post-event to help safely manage crowds:

  • Ashton Moss (Ashton line) – 183 spaces and 12 disabled spaces
  • Ashton West (Ashton line) – 184 spaces and 11 disabled spaces
  • Ladywell (Ashton-Eccles line) – 332 spaces and 22 disabled spaces

Walk/cycle

Lastly, Co-op Live is only a half-hour stroll from Manchester Piccadilly, and you could even walk along the canal all the way to the front door if you fancy taking the scenic route.

Greater Manchester now also offers the option to hire bikes through the Beryl app, with riders able to locate, unlock, get to their destination and then safely lock up the bike all through an easy-to-use app. There are hire points just near the south-west corner of the Etihad Stadium on Ashton New Road.

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For more information on all travel options, you can check out the enhanced journey planner.

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For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — James D Kelly (via Press Shots)

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