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October 9, 2026

UK Property Market / Manchester

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In February, Manchester hosted The BRIT Awards for the very first time, with performances from the likes of Harry Styles, Olivia Dean, RAYE and Mark Ronson, while Jack Whitehall returned to host the event.

The awards show, widely recognised as the UK’s biggest night in music, had been held in London for almost 50 years. But its move to Manchester was nothing short of a success, with next year’s ceremony also set to take place at Co-op Live.

The move had a significant impact on the city, creating 3,099 temporary jobs for local workers and generating a £5 million boost to the economy. £3.6 million of this came directly from visitors to the show, with a further £1.4 million generated through organiser and partner expenditure. An impressive 92% of attendees rated their BRIT Awards experience as either excellent or good.

The independent study, conducted by AMION Consulting, also found that the wider social impact of the event could be monetised at £11.2 million. This takes into account factors including cultural participation, digital engagement and the strengthened profile of Manchester as a destination for major events.

Together, the figures demonstrate that the impact of bringing the BRIT Awards to Manchester went well beyond the event itself, benefiting the city’s economy, culture and reputation as a place to host major international events.

Bev Craig, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said:

“Manchester is known throughout the world for its incredible music scene, and bringing the BRIT Awards here for the first time was a massive moment for our city region. It was a recognition not only of our unmatched music heritage, but our growing reputation for putting on national and global events and making a success of them.

“Events like these bring millions of pounds into our economy and boost our culture and hospitality industries, but they’re also about creating opportunities and inspiring people here with major events in world-class venues right on their doorstep.

“We’ve done it once in style, and we’ll do it again next year. I’m excited to help make 2027 an even bigger year for The BRITs, celebrating our thriving music scene and showcasing the creativity, talent and ambition that make this place so special.”

The event was also described as a “phenomenal success” by Manchester City Council leader Garry Bridges, who highlighted the wider impact of the awards beyond the ceremony itself.

“The partnership between the Brits and Manchester went so much further – with a massive social and economic reach right across the city and into our communities, which is still being felt now.”

 

Manchester’s music heritage

Manchester has long been recognised for its musical heritage, with some of the UK’s most influential artists and bands, including Oasis, The Stone Roses and Harry Styles, having strong connections to the city.

The creative industries also play an important role in Manchester today, with major cultural venues including Aviva Studios, HOME and Hope Mill Theatre helping to maintain the city’s reputation as a centre for creativity.

The BRIT Awards are another example of how Manchester’s history and its future can work together. While the city continues to celebrate the artists and venues that have shaped its identity, major events like the BRITs can also bring new investment, visitors and opportunities to the region.

The location of Co-op Live is particularly interesting in this respect. Sitting just east of Manchester city centre, the venue is surrounded by an area undergoing significant regeneration, with major projects planned to improve connectivity, create new neighbourhoods and bring further investment to the area.

One example is the proposed CL5 route, which would improve walking and cycling connections between the city centre, Etihad Campus and surrounding neighbourhoods, while Holt Town represents one of the region’s larger long-term regeneration projects, covering around 74 acres of brownfield land.

With the BRIT Awards returning to Manchester in 2027, the event is becoming more than a single night in the city’s calendar. It is another sign of Manchester’s growing ability to attract major international events, while contributing to the wider economic and cultural growth taking place across the city.