Brit Awards Generated £5 Million for Manchester, Study Finds
The first-time hosting of the music awards ceremony in the city created over 3,000 temporary jobs and boosted local economy.
The Brit Awards ceremony's relocation to Manchester for its 2026 event generated an estimated £5 million for the city and its surrounding areas, according to an independent study by Amion Consulting. The annual music awards, previously held in London for nearly five decades, was hosted in Manchester for the first time on February 28.
The move resulted in a net additional expenditure of £5 million in Manchester, with £3.6 million attributed to visitor spending and £1.4 million from organizer and partner expenditures. The study also reported that the event created 3,099 temporary, one-week jobs, equivalent to 15,497 days of employment.
Greater Manchester mayor Bev Craig described the awards' relocation as a "massive moment for our city region." The 2027 ceremony is also scheduled to be held in Manchester. The event took place at the Co-op Live arena and was hosted by comedian Jack Whitehall, featuring performances by artists including Harry Styles, Olivia Dean, Raye, and Mark Ronson.
Craig highlighted that hosting the event was a recognition of Manchester's "unmatched music heritage" and its growing reputation for successfully staging national and global events. She added that such events contribute millions of pounds to the local economy, benefiting the culture and hospitality sectors.
According to the study, 92% of attendees rated their experience as excellent or good. The move to Manchester was found to engage new audiences with the Brit Awards and associated events. Feedback on the event was described as "overwhelmingly positive," and the associated media coverage enhanced Manchester's global profile.
Beyond the main ceremony, the event spurred several related initiatives in Manchester, including community-focused programs, educational engagements, and networking events in the weeks leading up to the awards. The study estimated the social impact of the event, considering factors like cultural participation and digital engagement, at £11.2 million, also factoring in Manchester's strengthened position as an events destination.