MOBOs 2026: How to watch, location, nominations & all the details

12 March 2026, 12:04

The MOBO Awards are steadily approaching after their success last year, but where is the award ceremony taking place this year? When are the MOBOs? Who is nominated? & How to watch? Here is everything you need to know.

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The MOBO Awards are back and bigger than ever, taking over yet another British city to celebrate what is now their 30th anniversary - but how do you watch?

The awards have long celebrated black British excellence in the music and media industries, spotlighting the biggest and greatest talents in the scene.

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With it being 30 years since its creation, there is a lot to celebrate, with the awards hosted by familiar face Eddie Kadi, who will be co-hosting with none other than hip-hop legend, Eve!

Last year’s celebrations took over Newcastle, taking the show to the North, transforming the city into a cultural hotspot.

This year is keeping to the theme of the North and is set to be the best show yet in honour of celebrating 30 years of the show.

With an extra-special performance featuring some of the biggest names in the genre, a Grime tribute will be taking to the MOBOs stage, as well as live performances from Shenseea, Slick Rick & Estelle.

So, where are the MOBOs 2026 taking place? And which celebrities are nominated?

Here are all the details.

How do you watch the MOBOs 2026?

This year's MOBOs are in collaboration with Amazon Music.

The awards show will be livestreamed on the Amazon Music UK Channel on the streaming platform Twitch.

You can access the channel here.

The broadcast begins at 8 pm and finishes at 10:30 pm.

There is also a extra-epcial behind-the-scene look with DJ Target broadcasting the following day on March 27th.

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When & where are the MOBOs 2026?

The MOBOs 2026 were announced on the 10th September, with some very exciting news.

It will be taking place on Thursday, 26th March 2026.

The show will be taking over the city of Manchester for the very first time.

In the iconic new venue, Co-op Live Arena, thousands of celebrities and fans alike will flood the arena to celebrate the success of black music from this past year.

MOBO magic will be taking over the whole city, not just for one night, but the whole week prior, in the MOBO Fringe Festival.

The Festival will incorporate industry panels, talent showcases, live performances, and so much more to help extend the excitement of the show.

This year, the show is also partnering with Prostate Cancer UK to raise money for a cause close to the black communities.

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.”

So, despite the actual location of the event, who is nominated this year?

Who are the nominations for MOBOs 2026?

The MOBOs have spotlighted talent like Stormzy, Odeal, Tinie Tempah, and Central Cee, but who will be propelled to fame this year?

Here is the full list of nominations:

Best Male Act

Central Cee

Elmiene

Jim Legxacy

Nemzzz

Odeal

Skepta

Best Female Act

Flo

Kwn

Little Simz

Olivia Dean

Pinkpantheress

Sasha Keable

Best Newcomer

DC3

EsDeeKid

Finessekid

Jim Legxacy

Kwn

Namesbliss

Nia Smith

Sekou

Skye Newman

YT

Song of the Year

AJ Tracey Feat. Jorja Smith - Crush

Donaeo Feat. Omar, Lemar & House Gospel Choir - Nights Like This

Fred Again, Skepta & Plaqueboymax - Victory Lap

Jim Legxacy & Dave - 3x

Kwn - Do What I Say

Myles Smith - Nice To Meet You

Olivia Dean - Man I Need

Pinkpantheress - Illegal

Raye - Where Is My Husband!

Tim Duzit - Kat Slater

Album of the Year

Central Cee - Can't Rush Greatness

Ezra Collective - Dance, No One's Watching

Flo - Access All Areas

Kojey Radical - Don't Look Down

Little Simz - Lotus

Olivia Dean - The Art Of Loving

Video of the Year

Pozer - Shanghigh Noon

FKA Twigs - Eusexua

Jim Legxacy -

Little Simz - Flood

Raye - Where Is My Husband!

Skepta & Fred Again.. - Back 2 Back

Best Hip Hop Act

Aitch

Asco

Catch

Central Cee

D-Block Europe

Kojey Radical

Little Simz

Loyle Carner

Wretch 32

Youngs Teflon

Best Drill Act

36

Booter Bee

Chy Cartier

Esdeekid

K-Trap

Leostaytrill

Nemzzz

Pozer

Twin S

Wohdee

Best Grime Act

Chip

Jayahadadream

Kasst 8

Ruff Sqwad

Scorcher

Wiley

Best R&B/Soul Act

Elmiene

Flo

Kwn

Odeal

Olivia Dean

Sasha Keable

Best Alternative Music Act

Alt Blk Era

Blood Orange

Hak Baker

Michael Kiwanuka

Nova Twins

Rachel Chinouriri

Best Electronic/Dance Act

FKA Twigs

Jazzy

Kilimanjaro

Pinkpantheress

Salute

Sherelle

Best Caribbean Music Act

Ayetian

Lila Iké

Masicka

Shenseea

Vybz Kartel

Yung Bredda

Best African Music Act

Adekunle Gold

Ayra Starr

Davido

Joshua Baraka

Moliy

Rema

Shallipopi

Tiwa Savage

Tyla

Wizkid

Best Gospel Act

Annatoria

DC3

Faith Child

Imrhan

Sondae

Still Shadey

Best Jazz Act

Cktrl

Ego Ella May

Ezra Collective

Kokoroko

Nubya Garcia

Yazmin Lacey

Best International Act

Ayra Starr

Cardi B

Clipse

Gunna

Kehlani

Leon Thomas

Mariah The Scientist

Moliy

Tyla

Vybz Kartel

Best Producer

Inflo

Jae5

Miles Clinton James

P2J

Sammy Soso

Zach Nahome

Best Media Personality

Bemi Orojuogun (Bus Aunty)

Dj Ag

In My Opinion

Melissa Holdbrook-Akposoe (Melissas Wardrobe)

Nadia Jae

Niko Omilana

Pk Humble

Remi Burgz

Uche Natori

Winners Talking

Best Performance in a TV Show/Film

Aaron Pierre - Mufasa: The Lion King

Ashley Thomas - Hostage

Ashley Walters - Adolescence

Cynthia Erivo - Wicked

Damson Idris - F1

Dayo Koleosho - Eastenders

Lennie James - Mr Loverman

Marianne Jean-Baptiste - Hard Truths

Stephen Graham - Adolescence

Wunmi Mosaku - Sinners

So, it is certainly set to be one of the most exciting events in the 2026 calendar, so make sure you are prepared!

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