Youth Music Awards 2026 to Take Flagship Night to Liverpool, Backed by New Wingstop Sponsorship
The Youth Music Awards (YMAs) will move its flagship ceremony from London to Liverpool on Wednesday 28 October 2026, marking the first time the event will be held outside the capital. The change follows the organisation’s decision to bring the celebration of grassroots music to a city with a long‑standing musical heritage.
Youth Music, the charity that runs the awards, said the move reflects that 86 % of its funding supports organisations outside London. The organisation has hosted the awards in the capital for six years, but the new venue will allow the event to reach a wider audience and provide local opportunities.
The 2026 ceremony will be held in Liverpool, a city known for its influence on British pop and rock, and will create 21 paid roles for young people in the North West. The positions will give participants hands‑on experience working behind the scenes at a major music industry event.
A new three‑year partnership with Wingstop, the American fast‑food chain that operates more than 3,000 restaurants worldwide, will make the brand the headline sponsor of the awards. Wingstop’s involvement is part of a broader strategy to support emerging talent across the UK.
The judging panel for the 2026 awards will include more than 60 artists and industry experts. Among them is BRIT Award‑winning singer Myles Smith, who has released singles such as “Stargazing” and “Nice to Meet You” in 2024 and an album, My Mess, My Heart, My Life, in 2026. Smith’s background in grassroots music aligns with the awards’ mission.
Other panel members include Youth Music alumni ALT BLK ERA, a Nottingham‑based rock duo that released the album Rave Immortal in 2025, and Emily Makis, a former YMA nominee who now works in the industry. The panel also features lockdownT, a project that has gained recognition for its community‑focused approach to music.
Representatives from major music and technology companies will also sit on the panel. These include Apple, Meta, Sony Music, Spotify, Universal Music Group and YouTube, all of whom have expressed interest in supporting the next generation of music creators.
Youth Music’s statement notes that the awards aim to highlight projects that make music more inclusive across the UK. The 2026 ceremony will celebrate the people and projects that are working to diversify the future of music, ensuring it is more creative and accessible.
The awards will announce nominees later in the year. The event will bring together young creatives, grassroots projects and industry leaders to celebrate talent from bedrooms, community centres and local venues.
The decision to host the awards in Liverpool also aligns with the city’s status as a key music hub. Liverpool’s musical legacy, from the Beatles to contemporary acts, provides a fitting backdrop for an event that honours grassroots innovation.
Youth Music’s website lists the 2026 awards as a key date for the organisation’s calendar, and the charity is recruiting for a range of paid roles to support the night.
The move to Liverpool and the new Wingstop partnership signal a continued commitment to supporting young talent and expanding the reach of grassroots music initiatives.
The awards will take place on 28 October 2026, and the event is expected to attract a broad audience of music creators and industry professionals.
The Youth Music Awards 2026 will be a milestone event, bringing together community‑based music projects, industry leaders and a new generation of creators in one of the UK’s most iconic music cities.
The awards will conclude the year’s celebrations of grassroots music and set the stage for future initiatives aimed at increasing diversity and inclusion in the music industry.
