Huge event with Jason Manford returns to Manchester with 12,000 free tickets available TODAY
Big Night of Musicals will feature a ‘phenomenal’ line-up of stars
Jason Manford performing on stage during The National Lottery’s Big Night of Musicals at the AO Arena in 2022(Image: Getty Images for The National Lo)
A huge show hosted by Jason Manford will return to Manchester – and there will be 12,000 free tickets available today.
The Salford-born comedian and actor will return to hosting duties for the Big Night of Musicals, which will air on BBC One next year. The show, which is from the National Lottery, will celebrate some of the nation’s most-acclaimed musicals as well as new additions to the scene.
Taking place at the AO Arena on January 26, the event – which is now in its fifth year – has been hailed as the ‘most ambitious celebration of British theatre to date’. The confirmed line-up includes stars from West End and UK Touring shows including Miss Saigon, Mel Brooks’ The Producers and Jesus Christ Superstar, which stars Eurovision star Sam Ryder in his West End debut.
There will also be a performance from the London production of Wicked ahead of its 20th anniversary in the West End next year, whilst Alexandra Burke will dazzle crowds with a number from I’m Every Woman: The Chaka Khan Musical. More acts will be announced in the lead-up to the event.
Jason Manford returns as host for The National Lottery’s Big Night of Musicals on January 26 at the AO Arena(Image: James Speakman Photography)
Tickets will become available today (December 9) at 1pm. 12,000 free tickets will be available, on a first-come, first served basis, to National Lottery players. Each player can reserve up to four tickets each and there will be a £2 booking fee applied for each ticket. People can sign up via the AO Arena’s Night of Musicals website.
“I’m absolutely thrilled to be hosting Big Night of Musicals by The National Lottery for the fifth-year running,” host Jason Manford said. “The 2026 line-up is phenomenal, some of the biggest shows in the world are coming together for one night only, and I can’t wait for audiences to experience it. This event is also a huge thank you to National Lottery players whose support keeps theatre alive and accessible. Without their contributions, so many productions, training programmes and venue restorations simply wouldn’t be possible.”
The announcement comes as Manford is currently underway in a busy year. Continuing to tour his A Manford All Seasons tour until March next year, he is also currently leading the Robin Hood pantomime at the Opera House until January 4. Alongside these two shows, he recently also announced he would take part in the new Something Rotten! play, also at the Opera House, in June and July next year.
Tickets for The National Lottery’s Big Night of Musicals will be available from today at 10am (December 9) on the AO Arena website.
