The MOBO Awards, Europe’s biggest and most influential celebration of Black music and culture, has announce d that it will be heading to Manchester for the first time, as part of the MOBO Organisation’s 30th anniversary celebrations.
Set to take place on March 26, 2026 live from Co-op Live, this landmark edition of the awards promises to deliver an unforgettable night of performances and powerful tributes, and culture-shaping moments.
Ahead of the ceremony, MOBO is also collaborating with Manchester City Council to deliver the MOBO Fringe Festival, a week-long celebration of music, culture, and creativity in the lead-up to the awards.
The MOBO Fringe Festival is a vital part of the MOBO Organisation’s ongoing commitment to celebrating music, arts, and culture while championing local creatives. Building on the success of MOBO Fringe 2025 in Newcastle, which drew thousands of attendees and delivered more than £1 million (estimated) in combined economic and social impact for the city and wider North East region, expect an exciting programme designed to ignite the city, empower communities, and continues to inspire audiences nationwide.
Kanya King CBE, founder and CEO of MOBO Group, 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.”
Councillor Bev Craig, leader of Manchester City Council, said: “We’re honoured to have been chosen by MOBO to host their awards in what is such a special year for them as they mark an incredible 30 years of celebrating Black music and culture. As a proudly diverse city that is known the world over as a city of music, creativity and talent, the MOBOs and Manchester are made for each other.
“We have a lot of expertise as a city in delivering world class events with a global reach, and together with our partners at Co-op Live and across the city we’re determined to do everything we can to support MOBO in making sure next year’s event hits all the right notes and is the very best one yet.
“Recognising and supporting emerging talent and our grassroots music scene in Manchester is also really important to us and we’re looking forward to collaborating with MOBO on the MOBO Fringe Festival which is set to provide some amazing and unmissable opportunities for young musicians and others to gain experience, learn from, get involved in and enjoy.”
Jessica Koravos, President, Oak View Group International and Director of Co-op Live, said: “Collaborating with Manchester City Council to bring the renowned MOBO Awards to Manchester further honours Co-op Live’s ambition to champion the very best in the industry, to celebrate diversity, and to mirror our host city’s world-famous cultural vibrancy.
“With Co-op Live, we are delighted to offer a fitting backdrop for MOBO’s prestigious 30th year ceremony, and to further showcase our state of the art, purpose-built venue carefully designed for an event not just this scale, but significance.”
Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, added: “For MOBO to choose to host its 30th anniversary in Manchester is a huge privilege. Greater Manchester has a rich and diverse musical heritage, and I know that the MOBO awards taking part in our region will mean so much to so many people.
“We will pull out all the stops to make sure this event is given the stage it deserves and it gives people an opportunity to celebrate everything that is great about MOBO.”
The Manchester Accommodation BID has been crucial in helping Manchester secure the MOBO Awards.
Kumar Mishra, Chair of the Manchester Accommodation BID said “Manchester is thrilled to be the host city for the MOBO Awards in 2026. This is a truly significant event that champions an incredibly important part of the music industry. Manchester prides itself on its welcoming spirit and its rich, diverse musical scene, making it a perfect fit for the MOBOs. The Manchester Accommodation BID has been actively involved in supporting the collaborative bid to bring these awards to Manchester for the first time, recognising the immense positive impact they will have on our hospitality sector and wider visitor economy. We look forward to a spectacular celebration of music and culture.”
