MOBO AWARDS 2026 EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW AND WHY YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS IT

Marking 30 years since the first MOBO Awards, the revolutionary ceremony celebrates in it’s largest venue yet, at Manchester’s Co-op Live later this month.

Launching in 1996 with a re-mortgaged house and a dream, co-founder Kanya King pioneered a platform for urban music. Whilst mainstream music heavily relied on the origins of black music, King juggled a kick-out from Goldmiths University with full-time parenting and work in the hopes of the success it is today. The six week scramble that was initially held in the 750 capacity Connaught Rooms in London, has prospered into a global showcase of black and urban culture.

The 23.5k venue will host the MOBO’s biggest party yet, with the iconic Eve and side splitting Eddie Kadi co-hosting the event. And there’s no need to ask ‘Who’s That Girl?’ with the stacked female dominating, line-up of performances (finally). Coming in hot from BRIT sweeping superstar Olivia Dean, Afrobeat angel Tiwa Savage and Gen Z’s answer to the Sugababes – Flo, MOBO Awards 2026 are not to be missed. It might even feel ‘Illegal’ that sample siren PinkPantheress is up for three nominations, as the viral superstar is on the cards to steal the evening.

And with just 3 weeks left to go, it has just been announced that Manchester’s own rap star Aitch and British singer-songwriter Myles Smith will also join the live line-up for the show.

The MOBO’s have spearheaded a social and cultural responsibility for black and urban music, once fostering a space to celebrate where the mainstream shadowed now galvanises change and fosters genre growth and indentity. The MOBO’s championed grime from the get-go; the first music awards ceremony to dedicate a category in 2010 ,whilst the BRIT’s took a further 11 years to hybrid a category for a genre that transformed the landscape for British music and culture. Arguably the success of household names like Stormzy and Skepta are credited to the consistent backing and expansion of the MOBO’s.

What never leaves the MOBO Awards is the sincerity in its purpose; its not just about the music. Music and culture cultivate identity, with the ceremony awarding for the wider industry. 2026 bestowes nominations for Steven Graham and Ashley Walters in the groundbreaking Netflix series ‘Adolescence’, as well as Cynthia Erivo in the worldwide hit ‘Wicked’, all up for Best Performance in TV Show/Film.

Manchester is spoilt with the breadth of talent heading to Co-Op Live on Thursday 26^th March, with a passion fuelled party honouring some of the pivotal name electrifying British culture today. Remaining few tickets can be found https://mobo.com/tickets

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Gracie Erskine

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