MOBO announces Manchester as host city for 2026 awards

The 30th annual MOBO Awards will be held in Manchester for the first time in March 2026.​

The MOBO (Music Of Black Origin) Awards, which celebrates black music and culture from the UK and abroad, will be held at the Co-Op Live Arena on Thursday 26th March 2026. 

In the lead-up to the awards ceremony, MOBO will also host a free week-long fringe festival in the city featuring live performances, panel discussions, and creative workshops, in collaboration with Manchester City Council.

Rapper Bashy performed at the 2025 ceremony and won Album of the Year and Best Hip Hop Act 

Among those who have taken part in previous Awards are Beyoncé, Jay Z, Lauryn Hill, Amy Winehouse, H.E.R., Tina Turner, Janet Jackson, and Diana Ross.

Founder and CEO Kanya King 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.”

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For three decades, MOBO has been celebrating artistic excellence in hip-hop, R&B, soul, grime, drill, gospel, jazz, reggae, African music, electronic/dance, alternative music, and more, plus those in entertainment and TV. 

The MOBO Awards have previously honoured artists including Stormzy, Beyoncé, Little Simz, Janet Jackson, Rihanna, WizKid, Central Cee, RAYE, and Jay-Z.

In 2022, MOBO introduced its first-ever alternative category after Nova Twins wrote an open letter to the MOBOs to ask why there wasn't a rock or alternative category.

The MOBO Awards also launched their electronic/dance category in 2022 after years of controversy over the lack of representation for the genres. The award highlights Black artists across jungle, DnB, house, techno, Afro house, amapiano, dubstep, garage, disco, electro, and dance-pop.

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Header image credit: MOBO