The MOBO Awards to celebrate 30th anniversary in Manchester

The MOBO Awards, Europe’s biggest celebration of Black music and culture, is coming to Manchester for the very first time, as part of the MOBO Organisation’s 30th anniversary celebrations. Taking place on Thursday 26 March 2026 live from Co-op Live, the UK’s newest and largest live entertainment arena, fans can register now at mobo.com/awards to be the first in line for updates and priority access when tickets go on sale in December.

Since 2009, the MOBO Awards has shone a spotlight on Black music and culture while championing local talent and communities. Previously hosted in cities including London, Liverpool, Leeds, Glasgow, Coventry, Sheffield and Newcastle, MOBO will celebrate its 30th anniversary in Manchester, a city globally renowned for its influence on music.

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 free programme will feature industry panels, talent showcases, live performances and creative workshops spanning music, tech, and the arts, creating opportunities for the next generation while spotlighting Manchester’s local scene.

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 an estimated over £1 million in combined economic and social impact for the city and wider North East region, Manchester can expect an exciting programme.

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.”

CouncillorBev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, added, "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."

For close to three decades, MOBO has been celebrating and elevating Black music and culture around the world. Its legacy has seen MOBO be pivotal in supporting the growth of Black music and culture on a global scale, championing talent, and celebrating artistic excellence in genres such as Rap, Hip-Hop, R&B, Soul, Grime, Drill, Gospel, Jazz, Reggae, African music, Electronic/Dance, Alternative music and beyond.

Since its inaugural ceremony in 1996 at London’s Grand Connaught Rooms, MOBO Awards has become a calendar staple in the UK. The Awards have honoured music stars such as Central Cee, Stormzy, Janet Jackson, Little Simz, Davido, Rihanna, RAYE, Wizkid, Beyoncé and Jay Z, while also helping to elevate the careers of rising stars in the industry.