Mercury Prize winner to be named on Thursday

The winner of this year's Mercury Prize, which honours the best British or Irish album of the year, will be announced on Thursday 22 October at a ceremony at the Utilita Arena in Newcastle.

Twelve albums are on the shortlist, released between 30 August 2025 and 17 July 2026.

The nominees

Among the artists in the running are:

• Paul McCartney, for The Boys of Dungeon Lane, his first ever nomination
• Olivia Dean
• Raye
• Florence + The Machine
• Suede
• Dave
• Jade
• Nia Archives, for her second album, Emotional Junglist
• Knats, the Newcastle jazz band, for A Great Day in Newcastle
• HELP(2), the War Child Records charity compilation

A record-equalling nominee

At 84, McCartney is the joint oldest nominee in the prize's history, alongside the folk musician Martin Carthy, who was also 84 when he was shortlisted last year. His album looks back at his early years before the Beatles found fame.

HELP(2), recorded at Abbey Road to raise money for the charity War Child, features artists including Pulp, Fontaines D.C., Depeche Mode, Young Fathers, Damon Albarn and Olivia Rodrigo. It is the sequel to 1995's The Help Album, the only other compilation ever nominated.

Olivia Dean has already had a big year, winning three awards at the MOBO Awards in March, including album of the year for The Art of Loving.

A home win?

The ceremony is in Newcastle, giving the local band Knats the chance of a win on home turf. Last year's winner, Sam Fender, is also from the north east, and donated his prize money to the Music Venue Trust, which supports small grassroots venues.

About the prize

The Mercury Prize was founded in 1992 and is judged on albums as a whole rather than sales or chart success. A nomination can bring a big boost in sales and attention for lesser-known artists. Past winners include PJ Harvey, Elbow, Arlo Parks, Little Simz and Ezra Collective.

How it works

A panel of judges from across the music industry, including musicians, critics and broadcasters, listens to hundreds of albums before choosing the shortlist. The winner receives £25,000 and the famous trophy, but for many artists the biggest prize is the attention: albums often climb the charts in the days after the ceremony, and every nominee gets a chance to perform on the night.

Birmingham's Mercury history

Birmingham artists have featured on Mercury shortlists over the years, and the city's music scene, from Black Sabbath and UB40 to Duran Duran and a new generation of grime, jazz and indie acts, remains one of the most influential in the country. Music fans in the city can follow the ceremony on Thursday evening.