‘I imagine each deserving winner will feel on top of the world as they receive their award’
Matthew Williamson has created the BRIT Award for the 2026 ceremony(Image: BRIT Awards)
The BRIT Awards 2026 are inching closer – and the first look at the new Manchester-inspired trophy has now been unveiled.
The huge music ceremony will be held in Manchester next year, marking the first time the event has been held outside of London since it started in 1977. The 2026 awards will take place at Co-op Live on February 28.
Following in the footsteps of the likes of Dame Vivienne Westwood, Sir Peter Blake, and Tracey Emin, this year’s trophy has been created by Manchester-based artist Matthew Williamson.
Born and raised in the city, interior designer Matthew, who studied at Loreto College, has become known for incorporating bold and colourful designs into his work. He has had some of his creations spotlighted in both London Fashion Week and New York Fashion Week.
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The trophy has been made with amber toned resin to resemble the golden honey of a worker bee(Image: BRIT Awards)
Matthew’s trophy is made out of amber toned resin – resembling the golden honey of Manchester’s worker bee mascot – atop a globe representing the worldwide reach of British music.
“Following in the footsteps of great designers and artists before me, it’s an honour and a career highlight to design the 2026 BRITs trophy,” Matthew said.
“The BRITs is an event I’ve watched since childhood, and I’m still so immersed in it to this day. I’ve always looked at it in awe and wonder, so to even be offered this opportunity feels like a real milestone moment.”
Matthew’s 30-year career has seen him venture from a global following in fashion to interiors, where he has since created a bestselling range of wallpaper and fabric collections with Osborne & Little, working with brands like Bulgari, Swarovski and H&M.
Matthew described his trophy as ‘something timeless and stylish’(Image: Andrea Pomelli)
On his inspiration for this year’s trophy, Matthew added: “I wanted to create something timeless and stylish that each recipient would feel proud to own and display. Whilst colour and pattern may have been a more predictable route for me, I wanted to pause, take stock and offer something truly personal to me. Above all, I wanted to ensure it connected to Manchester, the BRITs’ new location and my hometown.
“Cast in a chic amber toned resin, the statue resembles the golden honey of a worker bee, Manchester‘s logo symbolising the city’s role during the Industrial Revolution and so much more. This spirit to work hard and be part of the essential fabric of the nation still resonates with me today.
“The BRITs also represents the global reach of British music and so I designed the statue to sit on top of a globe. I imagine each deserving winner will feel on top of the world as they receive their award and I cannot wait to see the trophy I designed being part of the celebrations on the night.”
The trophy resembles Manchester’s worker bee mascot atop a globe representing the worldwide reach of British music(Image: BRIT Awards)
This year’s BRIT trophy design project was led by Matthew, together with Stacey Tang, BRITs Chair and Co-President of RCA, and Glyn Aikins, Co-President of RCA.
Glyn Aikins, Co-President of RCA Records at Sony Music UK said: “I’m thrilled to welcome Matthew Williamson as the designer of the 2026 BRIT Award trophy. Matthew’s bold, expressive creativity has shaped British fashion for over two decades, and his work has always stood at the intersection of art, style and cultural imagination.
“His vision for this year’s trophy draws inspiration from the iconic worker bee, a powerful symbol of Manchester’s resilience, community and creative spirit. The result brings a new sense of colour, optimism and individuality to the BRITs, perfectly capturing the energy of British music today. I couldn’t be more excited to unveil his design to artists, fans and the wider creative community.”
The BRIT Awards, held in partnership with Mastercard, will take place at Co-op Live on February 28, 2026. It will air on ITV.
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