MOBO announces Manchester as host city for the 2026 MOBO Awards

16 September 2025 - Press release

26 MARCH 2026
CO-OP LIVE, MANCHESTER

MOBO ORGANISATION TO CELEBRATE 30 YEARS AS A CULTURAL INSTITUTION IN 2026, MARKING THREE DECADES OF SHIFTING CULTURE, CHAMPIONING TALENT & CREATING ICONIC MOMENTS CONTINUING THE MOBO LEGACY OF TAKING EUROPE'S BIGGEST CELEBRATION OF BLACK MUSIC AND CULTURE TO CITIES ACROSS THE UK

MOBO FRINGE FESTIVAL SET TO LIGHT UP MANCHESTER WITH A CITYWIDE CULTURAL TAKEOVER

 

Prostate Cancer UK ANNOUNCED AS OFFICIAL MEN'S HEALTH CHARITY PARTNER
got2b ANNOUNCED AS THE OFFICIAL HAIRSTYLING PARTNER OF 2026 MOBO AWARDS
SHOW HOSTS, SUPERSTAR PERFORMERS, SPECIAL HONOUREES AND NOMINEES TO BE ANNOUNCED

The iconic MOBO Awards, Europe's biggest and most influential celebration of Black music and culture, is coming to Manchester for the very first time, as part of the MOBO Organisation's 30th anniversary celebrations. Set to take place on Thursday 26 March 2026 live from Co-op Live, the UK's newest and largest live entertainment arena, this landmark edition of the Awards promises to deliver an unforgettable night of electrifying performances, powerful tributes, and culture-shaping moments. Fans can register now at mobo.com/awards to be the first in line for updates and priority access when tickets go on sale in December.

Since 2009, the MOBO Awards has proudly paved the way by taking its celebrations to cities across the UK, shining a spotlight on Black music and culture while championing local talent and communities. From London to Liverpool, Leeds to Glasgow, Coventry to Sheffield and Newcastle, MOBO has transformed cities, stages and arenas into cultural hotspots. Now, as the MOBO Organisation steps into its 30th anniversary year, it's bringing the MOBO magic to Manchester, a city globally renowned for its musical movements, creative spirit and cultural influence.

Ahead of the ceremony, MOBO is also collaborating with Manchester City Council to deliver the MOBO Fringe Festival, a week-long celebration of music, culture, and creativity in the lead-up to the Awards. The free programme will feature industry panels, talent showcases, live performances and creative workshops spanning music, tech, and the arts, creating opportunities for the next generation while spotlighting Manchester's vibrant local scene. The MOBO Fringe Festival is a vital part of the MOBO Organisations ongoing commitment to celebrating music, arts, and culture while championing local creatives. Building on the success of MOBO Fringe 2025 in Newcastle, which drew thousands of attendees and delivered an estimated over £1 million in combined economic and social impact for the city and wider North East region, expect an exciting programme designed to ignite the city, empower communities, and continues to inspire audiences nationwide.

Kanya King CBE, Founder and CEO of MOBO Group said: "For 30 years, MOBO has been more than an awards show – 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 – 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."

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."

MOBO is proud to welcome back both Prostate Cancer UK and got2b as returning partners for the 2026 MOBO Awards. Prostate Cancer UK continues its vital role as the official men's health charity partner and sponsor of the Best Male Act category, raising lifesaving awareness of Black men's higher risk of prostate cancer and campaigning to fight health inequalities across the UK. Meanwhile, got2b returns as the official hairstyling partner, once again championing individuality, self-expression, and creativity on one of music's and culture's biggest nights.

Keith Morgan, Associate Director of Black Health Equity at Prostate Cancer UK, said:
"We're delighted to build on our lifesaving partnership with MOBO, coming back for 2026 as the official men's health charity partner and supporter of the Best Male Act category. We had a brilliant time in Newcastle last year, and we were blown away by the support and advocacy of the MOBO community for our cause. We're excited to grow that passion and support in the leadup to what promises to be an unforgettable night in Manchester.

MOBO represents much more than a celebration of Black music, art and culture. It has an enduring legacy in paving the way for social and political change by platforming Black voices and fighting inequality in the industry and beyond. Together with MOBO, we're building on that legacy. We're campaigning for vital changes in our health system to tackle the inequities Black men across this country face, and to get more of our dads, uncles, brothers and friends a lifesaving earlier diagnosis.

1 in 4 Black men will get prostate cancer, that's double the risk of other men. Black men are also more likely to be diagnosed at a later stage when the disease is harder to treat, and despite being at higher risk from a younger age, outdated guidelines mean GPs don't start those lifesaving conversations with men who need to be part of them. It's about time that changed."

Stefan Pichler, Managing Director UKI at Henkel said: 
"We are thrilled, once again, to announce got2b as the Official Hairstyling Partner of the 2026 MOBO Awards, celebrating the 30th year of the MOBO Organisation and the 25th year of got2b. This is such an iconic event which celebrates diversity, individuality, and expression...for whoever you want 2b."

In February, the 2025 MOBO Awards took place in Newcastle, hosted by Eddie Kadi and Indiyah Polack. Bashy won Album of The Year and Best Hip-Hop Act, and special honours went to 'King of Dancehall' Vybz Kartel receiving the MOBO Impact Award and Dame Denise Lewis DBE receiving MOBO Paving The Way Award. Central Cee claimed his seventh MOBO win, scooping Best Male Act for the second consecutive year, which tied him with Stormzy as the most decorated rappers in MOBO history. The night was an electrifying, genre-spanning celebration of Black music with live performances from Vybz Kartel, Spice, Krept & Konan, Bashy, Odeal, Darkoo, Nova Twins, DJ AG with Pozer and LeoStayTrill, and DJ ACE with Jaz Karis, Nao, Sasha Keable, Shae Universe and Shola Ama. Catch the performance highlights on the MOBO Awards' YouTube channel HERE.

For close to three decades, MOBO has been proudly celebrating and elevating Black music and culture around the world. Its legacy has seen MOBO be pivotal in supporting the growth of Black music and culture on a global scale, championing homegrown talent, and celebrating artistic excellence in genres such as Rap, Hip-Hop, R&B, Soul, Grime, Drill, Gospel, Jazz, Reggae, African music, Electronic/Dance, Alternative music and beyond.

Since its inaugural ceremony in 1996 at London's Grand Connaught Rooms, MOBO Awards has become a calendar staple in the UK and its iconic trophy is now one of the highest accolades in music. The Awards have honoured music stars such as Central Cee, Stormzy, Janet Jackson, Little Simz, Davido, Rihanna, RAYE, Wizkid, Beyoncé and Jay Z, while also helping to elevate the careers of rising stars in the industry.

Recognising its unique position in popular culture, MOBO has also expanded beyond music to celebrate excellence across the arts and media. Past honourees include Hollywood star Idris Elba, who received the MOBO Paving The Way Award, acclaimed British filmmaker Steve McQueen, who was presented with with the MOBO Inspiration Award, as well as Damson Idris for his acclaimed role in Snowfall and Jacob Anderson for his performance in Interview with the Vampire.

Beyond the Awards, the MOBO Group operates year-round through pioneering initiatives such as MOBO UnSung, MOBO Help Musicians Amplified, and MOBOLISE, its career development platform connecting diverse talent to skills, opportunities, and pathways into the workforce. Together, these initiatives champion emerging artists, amplify underrepresented voices, and create meaningful opportunities that ensure MOBO's impact continues to resonate far beyond the stage. For nearly 30 years, MOBO has proudly stood as a cultural force and an institution, celebrating the power of creativity, advocating for equality, driving social change, and empowering new voices and communities across the UK and beyond.