Irish singer-songwriter CMAT has secured a major nomination at the BRIT Awards 2026, earning a place in the highly competitive International Artist of the Year category alongside some of the biggest global names in music.
The BRIT Awards 2026 nominations were unveiled this week, with Irish talent making a strong showing — and CMAT once again standing out as one of the country’s most distinctive voices to gain international recognition. The nomination places the Dublin-born artist in the same category as Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, Bad Bunny, Rosalía and Sabrina Carpenter, underlining her growing impact beyond Ireland and the UK.
For CMAT, the nod continues a steady rise that has seen her evolve from cult favourite to internationally respected artist. Known for blending sharp humour, emotional honesty and genre-defying songwriting, she has built a reputation for live performances that are as theatrical as they are heartfelt. Her inclusion among global pop and alternative heavyweights reflects how far her profile has expanded over the past year.
@trackstarshow International pop sensation @cmat ♬ original sound - Track Star
Elsewhere, Irish-connected artists feature prominently across the nominations. Lily Allen returns to the BRITs conversation with nominations in Artist of the Year, Album of the Year for West End Girl, and Best Pop Act, marking a significant moment in her career resurgence. Olivia Dean also enjoys a strong year, landing nominations for Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, Song of the Year for Man I Need, and Best Pop Act, as well as appearing alongside Sam Fender in the Song of the Year category.
The 2026 shortlist reflects a broad musical landscape, with established names such as Sam Fender, Little Simz and Wolf Alice competing alongside newer voices like Lola Young and PinkPantheress. Genres ranging from pop and hip-hop to alternative, dance and R&B are all represented, signalling the BRITs’ continued effort to mirror the diversity of contemporary music.
While Jacob Alon has already been confirmed as the Critics’ Choice winner, several major awards — including Producer of the Year and Songwriter of the Year — remain to be announced.
For Irish fans, however, much of the attention will be on CMAT, whose nomination places her firmly on one of music’s biggest international stages. As the awards ceremony approaches, her presence among the world’s most recognisable artists marks another defining milestone in an already remarkable career.
@cmatbaby first time playing EURO-COUNTRY live ever at @ATNfestival ♬ EURO-COUNTRY - CMAT
FULL LIST OF BRIT AWARDS 2026 NOMINATIONS
Artist of the Year
Dave
Fred again..
JADE
Lily Allen
Little Simz
Lola Young
Olivia Dean
PinkPantheress
Sam Fender
Self Esteem
Group of the Year
The Last Dinner Party
Pulp
Sleep Token
Wet Leg
Wolf Alice
Album of the Year
Dave – The Boy Who Played The Harp
Lily Allen – West End Girl
Olivia Dean – The Art of Loving
Sam Fender – People Watching
Wolf Alice – The Clearing
Song of the Year
Calvin Harris & Clementine Douglas – Blessings
Chrystal & Notion – The Days (Notion Remix)
Cynthia Erivo (feat. Ariana Grande) – Defying Gravity
Ed Sheeran – Azizam
Fred again.., Skepta & PlaqueBoyMax – Victory Lap
Lewis Capaldi – Survive
Lola Young – Messy
Myles Smith – Nice To Meet You
Olivia Dean – Man I Need
Raye – Where Is My Husband!
Sam Fender (with Olivia Dean) – Rein Me In
Skye Newman – Family Matters
International Artist of the Year
Bad Bunny
Chappell Roan
CMAT
Doechii
Lady Gaga
Rosalía
Sabrina Carpenter
Sombr
Taylor Swift
Tyler, The Creator
International Group of the Year
Geese
Haim
Huntr/x, Ejae / Audrey Nuna / Rei Ami
Tame Impala
Turnstile
International Song of the Year
Alex Warren – Ordinary
Chappell Roan – Pink Pony Club
Disco Lines & Tinashe – No Broke Boys
Gigi Perez – Sailor Song
Gracie Abrams – That’s So True
Huntr/x, Ejae / Audrey Nuna / Rei Ami – Golden
Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars – Die With A Smile
Ravyn Lenae – Love Me Not
Rosé & Bruno Mars – APT.
Sabrina Carpenter – Manchild
Sombr – Undressed
Taylor Swift – The Fate of Ophelia
Breakthrough Artist
Barry Can’t Swim
EsDeeKid
Jim Legxacy
Lola Young
Skye Newman
Critics’ Choice
Jacob Alon (winner)
Rose Gray
Sienna Spiro
Best Alternative / Rock Act
Blood Orange
Lola Young
Sam Fender
Wet Leg
Wolf Alice
Best Pop Act
Jade
Lily Allen
Lola Young
Olivia Dean
Raye
Best Hip-Hop / Rap / Grime Act
Central Cee
Dave
Jim Legxacy
Little Simz
Loyle Carner
Best R&B Act
Jim Legxacy
Kwn
Mabel
Sasha Keable
Sault
Best Dance Act
Calvin Harris & Clementine Douglas
FKA twigs
Fred again.., Skepta & PlaqueBoyMax
PinkPantheress
Sammy Virji
Producer of the Year
TBC
Songwriter of the Year
TBC
