The BRIT Awards 2026 with Mastercard have today announced that Jacob Alon is the winner of the prestigious BRITs Critics’ Choice award supported by BBC Radio 1. The news was revealed by Jack Saunders on his BBC Radio 1 New Music show. Jacob is the first winner to be revealed for The BRITs 2026, and will take home the Matthew Williamson-designed trophy.

Jacob said:  “Taing mhòr to the critics for recognising my work for this award, you absolute dotes! In the wee town where I grew up in Scotland, it often felt like there was a limit to how high you could dare to dream. So being part of something like this makes me feel like I’m floating far above the sky. In a world full of broken and rusted jaggy edges, I’m grateful to find a place for softness still. And I will keep fighting for it. I really care about and believe in this music, and it makes my world brighter every time it reaches someone else. Hopefully this means some more beautiful people might find something in my album. Thank you to anyone who has ever listened.”

This year’s nominees also included Rose Gray and SIENNA SPIRO who, alongside Jacob, follow in the footsteps of an impressive alumni of former winners and nominees who have gone on to achieve remarkable success after being shortlisted, including Dua Lipa, Adele, Florence + The Machine, James Blake, Michael Kiwanuka, Sam Smith, Jorja Smith, Griff, FLO, The Last Dinner Party, Myles Smith and more.

The BRIT Awards 2026 with Mastercard will take place on Saturday 28th February from Manchester’s Co-op Live, marking the first time the event has been held in the city and outside of London, and will also be broadcast on ITV and ITVX.

More from the BRITs here

Feature added by Callum

Published 19th January 2026