Manchester will host the 30th annual Mobo Awards on 26 March 2026, organisers announced, marking the first time the ceremony will be staged in the city. The awards, which celebrate black music, culture and excellence from the UK and abroad, will take place at the Co‑Op Live Arena.
In the run-up to the main event, organisers said they will stage a week-long fringe festival across Manchester featuring industry panel discussions, live music showcases and workshops aimed at artists and music professionals. Details of awards hosts, performers and nominees will be revealed in due course, with organisers describing the 30th edition as "going to be their biggest show yet."
The Mobo Awards were established in London in 1996 and have since been held in venues across the UK. The ceremony has featured international stars including Janet Jackson, Diana Ross, Beyoncé, Rihanna, Sade, Amy Winehouse and Usher, and has been credited with helping to launch the careers of British artists such as Little Simz, Stormzy, Central Cee and Raye.
Last year’s ceremony was held in Newcastle, where rapper and actor Scorcher was among the winners. Organisers have in recent years rotated the awards around different UK cities as part of an effort to broaden the event's regional footprint and to engage local music scenes.
Manchester, long known for its vibrant music culture and live venues, will host the anniversary show amid a calendar of other major events at Co‑Op Live, which opened in recent years as one of the country’s largest indoor arenas. City officials and cultural organisations have touted the move as a boost for local venues, promoters and music businesses that will participate in the fringe programming.
Organisers said further information about ticketing, broadcast arrangements and accreditation for industry delegates will be provided ahead of the festival week. Past broadcasts of the ceremony have been carried on national television and streamed digitally, drawing a UK and international audience.
The Mobo Awards were founded to recognise music of black origin and have evolved to encompass a range of genres and cultural contributions. Over three decades, the awards have become a fixture of the British music awards calendar, with nominations and wins often cited as career milestones by artists and industry professionals.
As preparations continue, Manchester's hosting of the 30th ceremony signals an expanded geographic reach for the event and an opportunity for the city’s music community to showcase talent and industry expertise during the anniversary week.