Mercury Prize to return to Newcastle for 2026. It will return to the Utilita Arena on October 22
The Mercury Prize will be returning to Newcastle in 2026, organisers have confirmed.
Today (July 31), the 10 nominees for the shortlist have been unveiled for the prize. The winner will be crowned on October 22 at Newcastle’s Utilita Arena, where Sam Fender bagged the prize last year for his third album ‘People Watching‘.
Paul McCartney, JADE, Nia Archives, Dave, Suede, Florence + The Machine, Olivia Dean, RAYE and Dove Ellis are all up for the Mercury Prize, with the War Child ‘Help(2)‘ compilation rounding out the nominations.
Now, fans are reacting to the shortlist on social media, with many praising the list as “stacked”. “Omg Knats, Raye, Florence and Dove Ellis shortlisted for Mercury Prize who do i pick”, one fan agonised.
Some commented on McCartney’s inclusion on the list, which will mark his first time being nominated for a Mercury. “2026 music scene is so wild even Paul McCartney is competing with Nia Archives,” one fan remarked, while another said: “Paul McCartney being shortlisted was not on my bingo card this year.”
The announcement comes following the biggest year yet for the awards in 2025, where it took place in Newcastle – the first time in its history that it was held outside of London.
Now, organisers have shared that they have teamed up with Newcastle City Council and will be hosting the 2026 edition of the ceremony in the city for the second consecutive year. The event will be held on Thursday October 22 at the Utilita Arena.
As ever, the night will see 12 artists shortlisted for album of the year, and the live event will see many of which take to the stage for a live performance, before the winner is announced at the end of the night. As usual, the Prize’s broadcast partner BBC Music will provide coverage of the event.
The Mercury Prize will return to Newcastle's Utilita Arena on Thursday 22nd October 2026. 💫
Read more: https://t.co/xoK5BJ0cUx pic.twitter.com/z17cmDjF8a
— Mercury Prize (@MercuryPrize) February 18, 2026
The Mercury Prize recognises the best new British and Irish music, and, an independent arts prize, champions the album format as a whole – choosing a winner whose record represents a snapshot of the year in music.
Last year’s ceremony was also held at the Ultilita Arena, and saw local hero Sam Fender take home the award for his record ‘People Watching’. With the victory, he joined an impressive list of past winners including Pulp, PJ Harvey, Arctic Monkeys, English Teacher, Ezra Collective, Little Simz, Dave, Wolf Alice and Young Fathers.
The event also followed a week-long fringe programme of events and talks, bringing an extra 8,000 visitors to the North East.
