The BRIT Awards 2026 with Mastercard has announced Noel Gallagher as the Songwriter of the Year. This prestigious award recognizes exceptional songwriting talent and is decided by a panel of expert judges. Previous recipients include Ed Sheeran, Kid Harpoon, RAYE, and Charli xcx. Noel will receive the award in Manchester at the Co-op Live on February 28th.
Noel Gallagher's songwriting has left an indelible mark on British culture for over three decades. From his groundbreaking work with Oasis to his critically acclaimed solo albums with Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds, his songs have transcended generations and resonated with audiences worldwide. The Oasis Live '25 tour, which resumed in 2024 after a 16-year hiatus, became a cultural phenomenon, with 41 electrifying performances in cities across the globe. Oasis fever dominated the airwaves, streaming platforms, and UK charts, with three of their albums in the Top Five of the UK Album Chart at one point.
Noel's songwriting for Oasis defined a cultural movement, producing seven studio albums and a catalog of some of the most recognizable songs in British music history, including 'Live Forever', 'Wonderwall', 'Don't Look Back in Anger', and 'Champagne Supernova'. Beyond Oasis, Noel released four critically and commercially successful studio albums with his High Flying Birds and a 10-year solo career retrospective, 'Back the Way We Came: Vol 1'.
Noel has multiple BRITs to his name, both as part of Oasis and as a solo artist. The group has won awards for Best British Group, Album of the Year, and Outstanding Contribution to Music. Noel's songwriting has also been recognized by the Ivor Novello Awards, where he received the prestigious Outstanding Song Collection award in 2013.
The BRIT Awards 2026 with Mastercard will take place on February 28th at Manchester's Co-op Live, with a lineup of global, critically acclaimed stars performing. The event will be broadcast live on ITV and ITVX, hosted by award-winning comedian and writer Jack Whitehall. The BRITs trophy, designed by internationally acclaimed designer Matthew Williamson, is inspired by Manchester's roots and the city's famous drive and resilience, with an amber-toned resin resembling the golden honey of a worker bee atop a globe representing the worldwide reach of British music.
Nominations for this year's awards were recently announced, with Olivia Dean and Lola Young leading with five nominations each. Sam Fender follows with four nominations, and other British artists up for awards include Lily Allen, Calvin Harris, JADE, Wolf Alice, Ed Sheeran, Little Simz, PinkPantheress, RAYE, Skye Newman, Wet Leg, and more. Pulp, a British icon, has received its first nomination since 1996. Hollywood is also represented with Cynthia Erivo and K-Pop Demon Hunter's 'Golden'.
Scottish singer/songwriter Jacob Alon was announced as the winner of this year's BRITs Critics' Choice, joined by Rose Gray and SIENNA SPIRO on the shortlist. The BRITs Fringe, a program of engagement taking place across Manchester, celebrates the city's rich musical heritage and the next generation shaping the future of UK music.
Mastercard continues its long-standing headline sponsorship of The BRITs, and ITV remains the official broadcaster for the 34th year. These partnerships are vital in supporting and amplifying The BRITs' vision and values, including fundraising for the BRIT Trust, which distributes funds to charities promoting education and well-being through music.
