{"id":2063766,"date":"2026-07-27T09:00:37","date_gmt":"2026-07-27T06:00:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2063766"},"modified":"2026-07-27T09:00:37","modified_gmt":"2026-07-27T06:00:37","slug":"mercury-prize-2026-shortlist-announcement-date-and-judging-panel-announced-with-tickets-on-sale-now","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2063766","title":{"rendered":"Mercury Prize 2026: shortlist announcement date and judging panel announced with tickets on sale now"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/live-mercury-prize-2025.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article id=\"template-id-2749694\" class=\"post-2749694 tdb_templates type-tdb_templates status-publish post\">\n<div id=\"tdi_65\" class=\"tdc-zone\">\n<div class=\"tdc_zone tdi_66  wpb_row td-pb-row\">\n<div id=\"tdi_67\" class=\"tdc-row stretch_row_1400 td-stretch-content\">\n<div class=\"vc_row tdi_68  wpb_row td-pb-row\">\n<div class=\"vc_column tdi_70  wpb_column vc_column_container tdc-column td-pb-span12\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_breadcrumbs tdi_71 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 tdb-breadcrumbs \" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_71\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span>News<\/span><i class=\"tdb-bread-sep td-icon-right\"><\/i><span>Music News<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_title tdi_72 tdb-single-title td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_72\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Mercury Prize 2026: shortlist announcement date and judging panel announced with tickets on sale now<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_subtitle tdi_73 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_73\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<p>The 12 shortlisted artists will be announced this Thursday (July 30)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_author tdi_75 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 tdb-post-meta\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_75\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-author-name-wrap\"><span class=\"tdb-author-by\">By<\/span> Poppy Burton<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_date tdi_76 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 tdb-post-meta\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_76\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><time class=\"entry-date updated td-module-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-27T10:00:37+01:00\">27th July 2026<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p> <!-- .\/block --><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"tdi_77\" class=\"tdc-row stretch_row_1400 td-stretch-content\">\n<div class=\"vc_row tdi_78  wpb_row td-pb-row\">\n<div class=\"vc_column tdi_80  wpb_column vc_column_container tdc-column td-pb-span8\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_featured_image tdi_81 tdb-content-horiz-left td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_81\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<figure>\n                                    <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"696\" height=\"442\" class=\"entry-thumb\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/live-mercury-prize-2025-696x442.jpg\" alt=\"Mercury Prize awards\" title=\"Mercury Prize awards\"><figcaption class=\"tdb-caption-text\">Sam Fender on stage accepting the Mercury Music Prize for the album &#8216;People Watching&#8217; 2025 awards. CREDIT:  JMEnternational\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"vc_row_inner tdi_83 article-content-row vc_row vc_inner wpb_row td-pb-row\">\n<div class=\"vc_column_inner tdi_85  wpb_column vc_column_container tdc-inner-column td-pb-span12\">\n<div class=\"vc_column-inner\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_content tdi_86 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 td-post-content tagdiv-type\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_86\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<p>The shortlist announcement date and judging panel for the\u00a0Mercury Prize 2026 has now been announced \u2013 check out all the details below.<\/p>\n<ul class=\"post-content-read-more\">\n<li><strong>READ MORE:\u00a0Sam Fender live in Leeds: generational Geordie star safely coasts into a new era<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Today\u2019s (Monday July 27) announcement comes following the biggest year yet for the awards in 2025, where it took place in Newcastle \u2013 the first time in its history that it was held outside of London. Held at the Ultilita Arena, the ceremony saw local hero Sam Fender take home the award for his record \u2018People Watching\u2019.<\/p>\n<div class=\"td-a-ad id_inline_ad0 id_ad_content-horiz-center\"><span class=\"td-adspot-title\">Advertisement<\/span>  <\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-article-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The awards are set to return to Newcastle next year on October 22, and tickets are available to the general public now \u2013 you can find yours here. The awards show will feature live performances from many of the 12 shortlisted artists \u2013 who will be announced exclusively live on BBC Radio 6 Music and BBC Sounds from 10.30am this Thursday (July 30).<\/p>\n<p>Ahead of the announcement of the long-awaited 2026 \u2018Albums of the Year\u2019 line-up this Thursday, the 2026 Mercury Prize judging team has been revealed. Making up the judging team are music writer and broadcaster Sophie Williams, <em>The Times<\/em>\u2018 rock and pop critic Will Hodgkinson,\u00a0composer, DJ and radio broadcaster AFRODEUTSCHE, and broadcaster and musician Danielle Perry.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/reel\/DbSl8rqAlY4\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"14\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>\n<div>View this post on Instagram<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Alongside them will be Radio 2\u2019s Jamie Cullum, Jeff Smith, Lea Stonhill, MistaJam, <em>Kerrang\u2019s<\/em> creative director Phil Alexander, Sian Eleri, with Jeff Smith The Chair of the judging team.<\/p>\n<p>Also announced today is the return of Radio 1 presenter and DJ Maia Beth, who will be hosting exclusive artist interviews with those featuring on the \u2018Albums of the Year\u2019 shortlist for Mercury Prize social channels.<\/p>\n<div class=\"td-a-ad id_inline_ad1 id_ad_content-horiz-center\"><span class=\"td-adspot-title\"><\/span><\/p>\n<h5 class=\"taboola-mid-article-title\">Recommended<\/h5>\n<div id=\"taboola-mid-article\">\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s an absolute pleasure to be back working with the Mercury Prize this year,\u201d Beth said. \u201cLast year\u2019s Mercury Prize was a celebration of music \u2013 from jazz to pop and everything in between. Having it in Newcastle brought attention to a place I\u2019m so proud of, and I can\u2019t wait to be back celebrating the best music in the best place.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>It follows news that organisers will once again be teaming up with Newcastle City Council, hosting the 2026 edition of the ceremony in the city for the second consecutive year at the Utilita Arena.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DU5U9JADB4Q\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"14\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>\n<div>View this post on Instagram<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Last year\u2019s instalment of the Mercury Prize saw nearly 8,000 visitors travel to Newcastle for the events, and generated a combined spend of \u00a3874,724. It also added an estimated \u00a3552,868 GVA to the regional economy, and led to 35 local people gaining work experience.<\/p>\n<div id=\"playlist-player-jwplayer\">\n<div class=\"playlist-player-container\">\n<div class=\"td-a-ad id_inline_ad2 id_ad_content-horiz-center\"><span class=\"td-adspot-title\">Advertisement<\/span>  <\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-article-2\" class=\"lazy-ad\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>When North Shields singer-songwriter Fender won last year\u2019s award\u00a0for his acclaimed third album, he beat off\u00a0competition from\u00a0Pulp, Wolf Alice, Fontaines D.C. and CMAT., and joined an impressive list of past winners including PJ Harvey,\u00a0Arctic Monkeys,\u00a0English Teacher,\u00a0Ezra Collective,\u00a0Little Simz,\u00a0Dave,\u00a0Wolf Alice\u00a0and\u00a0Young Fathers.<\/p>\n<p>He later confirmed that\u00a0he donated his \u00a325,000 winnings\u00a0to the\u00a0Music Venue Trust\u00a0(MVT), while highlighting the importance of \u201cstruggling\u201d small gig spaces in the UK.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_tags tdi_87 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_87\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<ul class=\"tdb-tags\">\n<li><span>Related Topics<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Mercury Prize<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper td_block_wrap vc_raw_html tdi_89 \">\n<div class=\"td-fix-index\">\n<h3>You May Also Like<\/h3>\n<div id=\"taboola-below-article\">\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"vc_column tdi_91  wpb_column vc_column_container tdc-column td-pb-span4 td-is-sticky\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"td-a-rec td-a-rec-id-sidebar  tdi_92 td_block_template_2\">\n<p><span class=\"td-adspot-title\">Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-sidebar-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap td_flex_block_1 tdi_93 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 tdc-no-posts 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class=\"td-fix-index\">\n<h3>More Stories<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap td_flex_block_1 tdi_105 td-pb-border-top td_module_flex_1--card td_module_flex_1--card--highlight td_block_template_2 tdc-no-posts td_flex_block\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_105\">\n<div class=\"td-block-title-wrap\"><\/div>\n<div id=\"tdi_105\" class=\"td_block_inner td-mc1-wrap\">\n<div class=\"td_module_flex td_module_flex_1 td_module_wrap td-animation-stack\">\n<div class=\"td-module-container td-category-pos-above\">\n<div class=\"td-image-container\">\n<div class=\"td-module-thumb\"><span class=\"entry-thumb td-thumb-css\" data-type=\"css_image\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/sam-fender@2000x1270-400x254.jpg\" data-img-retina-url=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/sam-fender@2000x1270-800x508.jpg\"><\/span><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"td-module-meta-info\">\n                    Music News<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"entry-title td-module-title\">Mercury Prize to return to Newcastle for 2026<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"td_module_flex td_module_flex_1 td_module_wrap td-animation-stack\">\n<div class=\"td-module-container td-category-pos-above\">\n<div class=\"td-image-container\">\n<div class=\"td-module-thumb\"><span class=\"entry-thumb td-thumb-css\" data-type=\"css_image\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/NMEAR_NME-GLASTO-2022-SAM-FENDER-LIVE-PHOEBE-FOX-2@2000x1270-400x254.jpg\" data-img-retina-url=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/NMEAR_NME-GLASTO-2022-SAM-FENDER-LIVE-PHOEBE-FOX-2@2000x1270-800x508.jpg\"><\/span><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"td-module-meta-info\">\n                    Music News<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"entry-title td-module-title\">Sam Fender donates \u00a325,000 Mercury Prize winnings to Music Venue Trust<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"td_module_flex td_module_flex_1 td_module_wrap td-animation-stack\">\n<div class=\"td-module-container td-category-pos-above\">\n<div class=\"td-image-container\">\n<div class=\"td-module-thumb\"><span class=\"entry-thumb td-thumb-css\" data-type=\"css_image\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/English_Teacher_Mercury_2025-400x254.jpg\" data-img-retina-url=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/English_Teacher_Mercury_2025-800x508.jpg\"><\/span><span class=\"td-video-play-ico\"><i class=\"td-icon-video-thumb-play\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"td-module-meta-info\">\n                    Music Interviews<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"entry-title td-module-title\">English Teacher talk \u201cconcrete validation\u201d of Mercury Prize win, tease new music: \u201cWe want what we\u2019re writing next to be better\u201d<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"td_module_flex td_module_flex_1 td_module_wrap td-animation-stack\">\n<div class=\"td-module-container td-category-pos-above\">\n<div class=\"td-image-container\">\n<div class=\"td-module-thumb\"><span class=\"entry-thumb td-thumb-css\" data-type=\"css_image\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Pulp_Mercury_Prize-400x254.jpg\" data-img-retina-url=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Pulp_Mercury_Prize-800x508.jpg\"><\/span><span class=\"td-video-play-ico\"><i class=\"td-icon-video-thumb-play\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"td-module-meta-info\">\n                    Music Interviews<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"entry-title td-module-title\">Pulp \u201cnot itching\u201d to make another new album \u2013 despite Mercury Prize nomination for \u2018More\u2019<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"td_module_flex td_module_flex_1 td_module_wrap td-animation-stack\">\n<div class=\"td-module-container td-category-pos-above\">\n<div class=\"td-image-container\">\n<div class=\"td-module-thumb\"><span class=\"entry-thumb td-thumb-css\" data-type=\"css_image\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/wolf-alice-mercury-prize-2025-400x254.jpg\" data-img-retina-url=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/wolf-alice-mercury-prize-2025-800x508.jpg\"><\/span><span class=\"td-video-play-ico\"><i class=\"td-icon-video-thumb-play\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"td-module-meta-info\">\n                    Music Interviews<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"entry-title td-module-title\">Wolf Alice on being the first act to be nominated for the Mercury Prize four times: \u201cWe\u2019re very grateful\u201d<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"td_module_flex td_module_flex_1 td_module_wrap td-animation-stack\">\n<div class=\"td-module-container td-category-pos-above\">\n<div class=\"td-image-container\">\n<div class=\"td-module-thumb\"><span class=\"entry-thumb td-thumb-css\" data-type=\"css_image\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/fontaines-d-c-deego-mercury-prize-400x254.jpg\" data-img-retina-url=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/fontaines-d-c-deego-mercury-prize-800x508.jpg\"><\/span><span class=\"td-video-play-ico\"><i class=\"td-icon-video-thumb-play\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"td-module-meta-info\">\n                    Music Interviews<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"entry-title td-module-title\">Fontaines D.C. on the \u201cwitch hunt\u201d against Kneecap and police\u2019s handling of Palestine protests: \u201cIt\u2019s a really crazy thing that you can\u2019t say, \u2018I&#8230;<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>                    <span class=\"td-page-meta\"><\/span><span class=\"td-page-meta\"><span class=\"td-page-meta\"><\/span><\/span><span class=\"td-page-meta\"><\/span>                <\/article>\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_content tdi_86 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 td-post-content tagdiv-type\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_86\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<p>The shortlist announcement date and judging panel for the\u00a0Mercury Prize 2026 has now been announced \u2013 check out all the details below.<\/p>\n<ul class=\"post-content-read-more\">\n<li><strong>READ MORE:\u00a0Sam Fender live in Leeds: generational Geordie star safely coasts into a new era<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Today\u2019s (Monday July 27) announcement comes following the biggest year yet for the awards in 2025, where it took place in Newcastle \u2013 the first time in its history that it was held outside of London. Held at the Ultilita Arena, the ceremony saw local hero Sam Fender take home the award for his record \u2018People Watching\u2019.<\/p>\n<div class=\"td-a-ad id_inline_ad0 id_ad_content-horiz-center\"><span class=\"td-adspot-title\">Advertisement<\/span>  <\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-article-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The awards are set to return to Newcastle next year on October 22, and tickets are available to the general public now \u2013 you can find yours here. The awards show will feature live performances from many of the 12 shortlisted artists \u2013 who will be announced exclusively live on BBC Radio 6 Music and BBC Sounds from 10.30am this Thursday (July 30).<\/p>\n<p>Ahead of the announcement of the long-awaited 2026 \u2018Albums of the Year\u2019 line-up this Thursday, the 2026 Mercury Prize judging team has been revealed. Making up the judging team are music writer and broadcaster Sophie Williams, <em>The Times<\/em>\u2018 rock and pop critic Will Hodgkinson,\u00a0composer, DJ and radio broadcaster AFRODEUTSCHE, and broadcaster and musician Danielle Perry.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/reel\/DbSl8rqAlY4\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"14\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>\n<div>View this post on Instagram<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Alongside them will be Radio 2\u2019s Jamie Cullum, Jeff Smith, Lea Stonhill, MistaJam, <em>Kerrang\u2019s<\/em> creative director Phil Alexander, Sian Eleri, with Jeff Smith The Chair of the judging team.<\/p>\n<p>Also announced today is the return of Radio 1 presenter and DJ Maia Beth, who will be hosting exclusive artist interviews with those featuring on the \u2018Albums of the Year\u2019 shortlist for Mercury Prize social channels.<\/p>\n<div class=\"td-a-ad id_inline_ad1 id_ad_content-horiz-center\"><span class=\"td-adspot-title\"><\/span><\/p>\n<h5 class=\"taboola-mid-article-title\">Recommended<\/h5>\n<div id=\"taboola-mid-article\">\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s an absolute pleasure to be back working with the Mercury Prize this year,\u201d Beth said. \u201cLast year\u2019s Mercury Prize was a celebration of music \u2013 from jazz to pop and everything in between. Having it in Newcastle brought attention to a place I\u2019m so proud of, and I can\u2019t wait to be back celebrating the best music in the best place.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>It follows news that organisers will once again be teaming up with Newcastle City Council, hosting the 2026 edition of the ceremony in the city for the second consecutive year at the Utilita Arena.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DU5U9JADB4Q\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"14\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>\n<div>View this post on Instagram<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Last year\u2019s instalment of the Mercury Prize saw nearly 8,000 visitors travel to Newcastle for the events, and generated a combined spend of \u00a3874,724. It also added an estimated \u00a3552,868 GVA to the regional economy, and led to 35 local people gaining work experience.<\/p>\n<div id=\"playlist-player-jwplayer\">\n<div class=\"playlist-player-container\">\n<div class=\"td-a-ad id_inline_ad2 id_ad_content-horiz-center\"><span class=\"td-adspot-title\">Advertisement<\/span>  <\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-article-2\" class=\"lazy-ad\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>When North Shields singer-songwriter Fender won last year\u2019s award\u00a0for his acclaimed third album, he beat off\u00a0competition from\u00a0Pulp, Wolf Alice, Fontaines D.C. and CMAT., and joined an impressive list of past winners including PJ Harvey,\u00a0Arctic Monkeys,\u00a0English Teacher,\u00a0Ezra Collective,\u00a0Little Simz,\u00a0Dave,\u00a0Wolf Alice\u00a0and\u00a0Young Fathers.<\/p>\n<p>He later confirmed that\u00a0he donated his \u00a325,000 winnings\u00a0to the\u00a0Music Venue Trust\u00a0(MVT), while highlighting the importance of \u201cstruggling\u201d small gig spaces in the UK.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.nme.com\/news\/music\/mercury-prize-2026-shortlist-announcement-date-and-judging-panel-announced-with-tickets-on-sale-now-3959147&#8243;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/live-mercury-prize-2025.jpg&#8221;] NewsMusic News Mercury Prize 2026: shortlist announcement date and judging panel announced with tickets on sale now The 12 shortlisted artists will be announced this Thursday (July 30) By Poppy Burton 27th July 2026 Sam Fender on stage accepting the Mercury Music Prize for the album &#8216;People Watching&#8217; 2025 awards. CREDIT: JMEnternational\/Getty [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[226,78],"class_list":["post-2063766","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crawlmanager","tag-nme-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2063766","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2063766"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2063766\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2063766"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2063766"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2063766"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}