Mercury Prize countdown begins for album of the year

The race for the 2026 Mercury Prize is entering its final stretch, with the winner of Britain's best album award to be revealed on Thursday 22 October at the Utilita Arena in Newcastle.

This year's shortlist of albums of the year includes a mix of legendary names and rising stars, among them Paul McCartney, RAYE and Olivia Dean.

The favourites

With the ceremony less than a month away, bookmakers have made Nia Archives, for Emotional Junglist, and Suede, for Antidepressants, the joint favourites. They are followed by Kojey Radical, Olivia Dean and RAYE.

A prize for the album

The Mercury Prize is awarded to the best album by a British or Irish artist released in the previous year. A panel of musicians, broadcasters, journalists and industry figures chooses the shortlist and the winner, judging each album on its merits regardless of genre or commercial success.

The prize has a reputation for surprising winners and for giving a lift to artists working outside the mainstream. For many acts, simply being shortlisted brings a rise in sales and new listeners.

Newcastle hosts

Holding the ceremony in Newcastle continues a move to take the prize beyond London. The awards show traditionally features live performances from shortlisted artists.

A Birmingham connection

Birmingham has a proud history at the Mercury Prize. The city's artists, from The Streets, whose debut album was shortlisted in 2002, to acts from its grime, jazz and indie scenes, have regularly featured, and music fans in the city will be watching this year's result closely.

Discover Brum will report the winner on the night.