The MOBO Awards, Europe's largest and most influential celebration of Black music and culture, will be held in Manchester for the first time.
This "landmark edition" of the event will commemorate the MOBO Organisation's 30th anniversary celebrations and promises an "unforgettable night of electrifying performances, powerful tributes and culture-shaping moments".
The MOBO awards will be held on Thursday, 26 March 2026 at Manchester's Co-op Live arena. Supporters can register for priority access to tickets for the occasion, which are scheduled to go on sale in December.
The announcement follows news that Manchester will also host The BRIT awards for the first time in 2026, reports . That event will likewise take place at Co-op Live, with The BRITS date confirmed as Saturday, February 28 2026, marking the first time it will be staged outside of London in its history.
The , presented by Eddie Kadi and Indiyah Polack with performances from artists including Vybz Kartel, Krept and Konan, Odeal, Darkoo and Shola Ama.
Bashy claimed Album of The Year and Best Hip-Hop Act, whilst special recognition went to 'King of Dancehall' Vybz Kartel with the MOBO Impact Award and Dame Denise Lewis DBE receiving the MOBO Paving The Way Award. Hosts and performers for the 2026 awards will be announced later this year.
MOBO Group founder Kanya King OBE said: "For 30 years, MOBO has been more than an awards show 鈥 it has been a movement, shaping culture, championing creativity, and opening doors for generations of talent.
"This milestone is a reminder that when you celebrate culture, you don't just preserve history 鈥 you shape the future. Three decades on, the MOBO Awards remain a powerful reminder of how music can inspire, unite, and transform lives.
"Manchester has always been a city of music and movement, and now, together with MOBO, we will write the next chapter of cultural history."
From 2009, the MOBO Awards has brought its festivities to cities throughout the 海角视频, highlighting Black music and culture whilst supporting local talent and communities, in cities including Leeds, Glasgow, Liverpool and Sheffield - and now it's Manchester's opportunity.
Prior to the ceremony, MOBO will work with Manchester City Council to present the MOBO Fringe Festival, a week-long tribute to music, culture, and creativity in the run-up to the awards.
The free programme will include industry discussions, talent exhibitions, live performances and creative workshops covering music, technology, and the arts, generating opportunities for the next generation whilst highlighting Manchester's dynamic local scene. The MOBO Fringe Festival will be part of the MOBO Organisation's continued dedication to honouring music, arts, and culture whilst supporting local creative talent.
Councillor Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: "We're honoured to have been chosen by MOBO to host their awards in what is such a special year for them as they mark an incredible 30 years of celebrating Black music and culture.
"As a proudly diverse city that is known the world over as a city of music, creativity and talent, the MOBOs and Manchester are made for each other.
"We have a lot of expertise as a city in delivering world class events with a global reach, and together with our partners at Co-op Live and across the city we're determined to do everything we can to support MOBO in making sure next year's event hits all the right notes and is the very best one yet.
"Recognising and supporting emerging talent and our grassroots music scene in Manchester is also really important to us and we're looking forward to collaborating with MOBO on the MOBO Fringe Festival which is set to provide some amazing and unmissable opportunities for young musicians and others to gain experience, learn from, get involved in and enjoy."
Jessica Koravos, president, Oak View Group International and director of Co-op Live, said: "Collaborating with Manchester City Council to bring the renowned MOBO Awards to Manchester further honours Co-op Live's ambition to champion the very best in the industry, to celebrate diversity, and to mirror our host city's world-famous cultural vibrancy.
"With Co-op Live, we are delighted to offer a fitting backdrop for MOBO's prestigious 30th year ceremony, and to further showcase our state of the art, purpose-built venue carefully designed for an event not just this scale, but significance."
Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, added: "For MOBO to choose to host its 30th anniversary in Manchester is a huge privilege. Greater Manchester has a rich and diverse musical heritage, and I know that the MOBO awards taking part in our region will mean so much to so many people.
"We will pull out all the stops to make sure this event is given the stage it deserves and it gives people an opportunity to celebrate everything that is great about MOBO."
Since its debut in 1996 at London's Grand Connaught Rooms, the MOBO Awards have become a fixture on the 海角视频 calendar, with its iconic trophy now considered one of the highest honours in music. The awards have celebrated music luminaries such as Central Cee, Stormzy, Janet Jackson, Little Simz, Davido, Rihanna, RAYE, Wizkid, Beyonce虂 and Jay Z, whilst also propelling the careers of emerging talents in the industry.
MOBO has broadened its scope beyond music to honour excellence across arts and media. Previous recipients include Hollywood actor Idris Elba, who was presented with the MOBO Paving The Way Award, renowned British filmmaker Steve McQueen, who received the MOBO Inspiration Award, as well as Damson Idris for his lauded role in Snowfall and Jacob Anderson for his performance in Interview with the Vampire.
Beyond the awards, the MOBO Group works throughout the year through innovative initiatives such as MOBO UnSung, MOBO Help Musicians Amplified, and MOBOLISE, its career development platform that links diverse talent to skills, opportunities, and pathways into the workforce.
