How & Where to Watch the BRIT Awards 2026: Stream the BRITs Online
If you've been keeping an eye on the British music industry and are keen to find out the winners of this year's awards, keep reading. We'll show you where to watch the BRIT Awards 2026 for free, as well as where to find red carpet coverage, highlights and behind-the-scenes footage.
Written by Sandra Pattison (Editor, Writer)
Reviewed by Valentina Bravo (Managing Editor)
Last Updated:
All our content is written fully by humans; we do not publish AI writing. Learn more here.
Key Takeaways: How & Where to Watch the BRITs 2026
- Sign up for NordVPN — there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee you can take advantage of, plus a 76% discount on longer plans.
- Install the VPN and connect to a server in the U.K.
- Create a free ITVX account and start streaming the BRITs online for free.
Best VPNs to Stream the 2026 BRIT Awards:
- NordVPN — Best streaming VPN with fast speeds. There’s an affordable two-year plan at 76% off and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Surfshark — Best VPN with unlimited simultaneous connections. The two-year plan is discounted 87% and there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Proton VPN — Privacy-focused VPN with strong UK streaming performance. Get 70% off paid plans and there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee.
- ExpressVPN — Best VPN for VPN newbies. Long-term plans work out the cheapest at a 73% discount and there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee.
The BRIT Awards 2026 takes place on Saturday, February 28, at the Co-op Live in Manchester, England. Keep reading to find out how and where to watch the BRIT Awards 2026 online from anywhere in the world.
We’ll not only go over where you can stream this year’s ceremony for free, but also explain where to watch the BRITs red carpet coverage, who will host the ceremony, the nominations and who will be performing on stage.
If you are halted by geoblocks while trying to watch the awards show, one of the best VPNs can help you side-step them. We recommend using NordVPN for this.
Where to Watch the BRIT Awards
The BRIT Awards 2026 will be broadcast live on ITV1 and ITVX, as well as STV and STV Player. Both of these are TV channels and free online streaming services only for viewers in the U.K., which means, if you’re not located in the country, you’ll need the help of a VPN to watch it — we have a guide further down.
You can also watch red carpet interviews, behind-the-scenes footage and highlights from this year’s awards on the official BRIT Awards channel on YouTube.
How to Watch the BRIT Awards for Free With a VPN
If you’re ready to celebrate British and International music talent, the following steps show you how to access the BRIT Awards on ITVX player in the U.K. completely free. Many VPNs include a money-back guarantee, meaning you can get a refund when you’re done. You can use similar steps to watch it on STV Player in the U.K. too.
- Sign Up for NordVPN
Go to NordVPN’s website and sign up for a plan. Note that the two-year plan offers the best value and there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee you can take advantage of.
- Install the App
Install the NordVPN app onto the device you want to stream on. Then, launch the app and log in to your account.
- Connect to a Server in the U.K.
Find a U.K. server by using the map or server list. Then, click on the server to connect to it.
- Create a Free ITVX Account
Go to the ITVX website and create a free account. Make sure you use a valid email address — you’ll need to verify it.
- Start Streaming the BRITs
Search for the BRIT Awards and click on it to start streaming.
The Best VPNs to Watch the 2026 BRIT Awards
If you need a VPN to stream the BRITs, we have a few recommendations. It’s important to pick a VPN with fast speeds and servers in the U.K. so you can get a U.K. IP address. All the VPNs below have what you need for streaming, just pick the one that fits you best.
1. NordVPN — The Best BRIT Awards VPN
Very Fast
NordVPN is the best VPN for streaming. It can easily bypass blocks on all major streaming services and has the fastest average speeds. You get access to thousands of servers in more than 100 countries, including the U.K. for accessing ITVX. Plus, all of those servers are neatly packed into an interactive map and server list, allowing you to easily select the one you want.
For the best overall price, you need to choose the two-year plan. It comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, which you can take advantage of if you only want to stream the BRITs. Read our NordVPN review for more information.
- **VAT may apply
- Unlimited GB
- 10
- Yes
- *The prices are charged in the first billing cycle only. Renewal prices vary.
- Unlimited GB
- 10
- Yes
- *The prices are shown only apply for the first 12 months.
- Unlimited GB
- 10
- Yes
- **The prices are applicable only for the first 24 months. Secure, high-speed VPN Threat Protection Pro™: Anti-malware and advanced browsing protection Threat Protection Pro™: Ad and tracker blocker Password manager with Data Breach Scanner 1 TB of encrypted cloud storage Identity and SSN monitoring and alerts Credit monitoring services Up to $1M in identity theft insurance Up to $100K in cyber extortion insurance
- 10
2. Surfshark — Budget VPN to Stream the 2025 BRITs
Very Fast
Surfshark is another great VPN that can handle streaming easily. It can unblock services, has fast speeds and, while the server count is fewer than NordVPN, it covers more than 100 countries — including the U.K. It’s also easy to use and allows unlimited simultaneous connections, which is great if you have friends or family that also want to stream the BRITs.
Like NordVPN, the two-year plan offers the best value and it’s a little cheaper than NordVPN. There’s a 30-day money-back guarantee in place for peace of mind. Read our Surfshark review for more details.
- Unlimited GB bandwidth, Unlimited devices, Secure VPN, Ad blocker, Cookie pop-up blocker. Pricing for the annual and biennial plans only apply for the first payment. Renewal fees vary.
- Unlimited GB
- Unlimited
- Yes
- Everything in Starter, plus Antivirus protection, Identity protection, Email Breach and Credit Card Alerts, Online Alias Pricing for the annual and biennial plans only apply for the first payment. Renewal fees vary.
- Unlimited GB
- Unlimited
- Everything in One, plus Data removal Pricing for the annual and biennial plans only apply for the first payment. Renewal fees vary.
- Unlimited GB
- Unlimited
3. Proton VPN — Privacy-Focused VPN for Streaming the BRITs
Very Fast
Proton VPN is a great option for streaming the BRITs if privacy is a priority. Based in Switzerland with an audited no-logs policy, it offers strong security alongside capable streaming performance. The apps are user-friendly, and we like that it feels professional and trustworthy.
Keep in mind that UK servers require a paid plan. The free tier only covers ten countries, you can’t choose the servers and it doesn’t include the UK. There’s a 30-day money-back guarantee if you want to test it out. Read our Proton VPN review for more details.
- Unlimited GB
- 1
- Yes
- 500 GB storage 1 user 15 extra email addresses for you Support for 3 custom email domains Unlimited folders and labels Unlimited hide-my-email aliases Dedicated customer support Ultra fast and private VPN Encrypted password manager Encrypted cloud storage for photos and documents Advanced account protection
- Unlimited GB
- 10
- Yes
- **Renewal prices differ for the 1-year and the 2-year plans. Price includes all premium Proton services (Proton Mail, Calendar, Drive, VPN, Pass, & Wallet)
- Unlimited GB
- 10
4. ExpressVPN — Beginner-Friendly VPN to Watch the BRIT Awards
Very Fast
ExpressVPN is an excellent VPN server, albeit a bit pricey. It can access any streaming service and, like our other two picks, its servers cover more than 100 countries. It also has excellent speeds and its app is very simple to use, making it a great choice if you’re a VPN newbie.
While the two-year plan does bring the cost down considerably, ExpressVPN is still on the more expensive side. However, you get a solid, beginner-friendly service for your money and there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee you can use if you don’t like it. Learn more in our ExpressVPN review.
- Pricing for the annual and biennial plans applies only on the first year.
- Unlimited GB
- 10
- Yes
- Advanced Protection, ExpressVPN Keys, 3 days unlimited eSIM data, Identity Monitoring, IDP Insurance, Credit Monitoring, 25-50% off on Aircove Router Pricing for the annual and biennial plans applies only on the first year.
- Unlimited GB
- 12
- Everything on the Advanced Plan, Credit Monthly Report, Data Removal, 50-75% off on Aircove Router Pricing for the annual and biennial plans applies only on the first year.
- Unlimited GB
- 14
When Are the 2026 BRIT Awards Airing?
The 2026 BRIT Awards will be broadcast live from the Co-op Live in Manchester on Saturday, February 28 at 8:15 p.m. local time (12:15 p.m. PT / 3:15 p.m. ET). The red carpet show will begin at 5:30 p.m. (9:30 a.m. PT / 12:30 p.m. ET) and will stream on the BRITs Instagram and Facebook pages.
Who Is Hosting the 2026 BRIT Awards?
For the sixth time in a row, the BRIT Awards will be hosted by Jack Whitehall. Jack previously hosted the awards from 2018 through 2021. with Mo Gilligan taking on the 2022 and 2023 ceremonies, and the 2024 BRIT Awards being jointly hosted by Clara Amfo, Roman Kemp and Maya Jama. Jack came back for the 2025 awards and continues for this year too.
The ‘BRITs 2026: Live From The Red Carpet’ show will be hosted by Tyler West (Kiss FM DJ and TV presenter) and Charley Marlowe (content creator and presenter). Sarah Story (Radio 1) will interview the winners as they leave the stage.
Current Nominations for BRIT Awards 2026
A few of the award winners have already been announced; PinkPantheress will receive the 2026 Producer of the Year Award, Jacob Alon is the winner of the BRITs Critics’ Choice Award and Noel Gallagher is the winner of the 2026 Songwriter of the Year Award. Plus, MarK Ronson receives the award for Outstanding Contribution to Music (2026).
Plenty of other top names have been nominated for other awards and while many of them are aimed at British people from the music industry, there are also international awards, including awards for International Group of the Year, International Artist of the Year award and International Song of the Year (previously won by Chappell Roan). Here are some of the nominees for the 2026 BRIT Awards.
BRIT Awards 2026 Performers
The biggest night for the music industry never fails to have amazing performances lined up. The BRIT Awards 2025 saw performances from the likes of Sabrina Carpenter (opened the show), JADE, Same Fender, Teddy Swims, Lola Young, Myles Smith and The Last Dinner Party. Ezra Collective collaborated with Jorja Smith to close the show.
Previous years’ saw huge artists like Dua Lipa, Kylie Minogue, Becky Hill x Chase & Status, Calvin Harris, Ellie Goulding, Ed Sheeran and Lewis Capaldi take to the stage. Here are some of the performers announced for the 2026 BRIT Awards.
- Harry Styles
- Olivea Dean
- Mark Ronson
- Rosalia
- Wolf Alice
- Sobre
- Alex Warren
Final Thoughts
Save the date, because there isn’t long left to wait until the biggest night in the British music calendar. The incredible team behind the event has been working hard, aiming to make it another night to remember, both in the main ceremony and the BRITs aftershow.
The only place to watch the event is on ITVX in the U.K. It’s free, but not available outside the U.K., so if you’re outside the country, a VPN is the access key. NordVPN is our top suggestion, and you can take it for a spin using the 30-day money-back guarantee.
If you want to watch other music awards ceremonies, we also have a guide for where to watch the American Music Awards. You can also use this approach for film and TV ceremonies; for example, we have a complete guide on how to watch the Critics Choice Awards from anywhere in the world.
Will you need a VPN to watch the BRIT Awards? What’s your top VPN pick? Who’s your favorite artist, band or songwriter? Let us know in the comment section and, as always, thank you for reading.
FAQ: Where to Watch the BRITs 2026
The BRIT Awards are available completely free on ITVX in the U.K. If you’re not in the country, you’ll need to connect to a U.K. VPN server to gain access.
The BRIT Awards are not available to watch in America, they’re exclusively shown on ITV and STV in the U.K. However, you can jump on a U.K. VPN server and watch the BRITs completely free on ITVX or STV Player.
The BRITs are exclusively available on ITVX and STV Player in the U.K., both of which are completely free.
The BRITs will be broadcast on ITV1 and STV in the U.K. You can also stream the awards on ITVX and STV Player for free, but you need to be located in the U.K. to do so. If not, a VPN can bypass blocks.