A recent independent study by AMION Consulting has revealed that the 2026 BRIT Awards, hosted in Manchester earlier this year, delivered a £5 million boost to the city's economy. This marked the first time the iconic awards ceremony was held outside London in its nearly 50-year history.
The study found that £3.6 million of the net additional expenditure came from visitors, alongside £3.45 million in gross value added. The event also led to the creation of over 3,000 one-week temporary jobs, with the social impact estimated at £11.2 million.
Beyond the financial benefits, researchers highlighted improvements in local partnerships, hotel performance, city centre cultural activation, community engagement, and increased visibility for Manchester's music ecosystem. Nearly 25,000 people attended the Award Show and wider events, with 92 per cent of Award Show attendees rating their experience as excellent or good.
Stacey Tang, Co-President of RCA Records at Sony Music UK and Chair of the BRITs Committee, stated that moving the BRITs to Manchester was about "shining a light on the incredible talent and creative communities across the UK, opening up opportunities, and widening participation."