Mercury Prize 2025: Key Dates and Eligible Albums to Watch

The Mercury Prize 2025 eligibility period spans over a year, spotlighting the freshest British and Irish albums primed for acclaim.

A New Twist on the Mercury Prize Schedule

If you’re like me, eagerly following the Mercury Prize each year, you know how it’s usually a mid-summer highlight—when the shortlist drops in July, showcasing the best albums the UK and Ireland have cooked up over the previous 12 months. But hold onto your playlists, because 2025 brings a fresh twist: the shortlist announcement will land on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, at a ceremony in London. That's a full extra month of music making the cut!

This change means albums released between Saturday, July 13, 2024, and Friday, August 29, 2025, are all in the running. So, more time, more music, more suspense.

English Teacher after winning the Mercury Music Prize 2024 (Photo by JMEnternational/Getty Images)

Albums to Keep on Your Radar

This extended eligibility window means a deliciously diverse batch of albums might light up the shortlist. Early contenders already include:

• Soft Play with their punchy album Heavy Jelly
• The endlessly talented Beabadoobee and her This Is How Tomorrow Moves
• Hamish Hawk’s intimate A Firmer Hand
• And the poetic grit of Fontaines D.C. on Romance

Fast forward to releases near the end of the period (which normally would be next year’s affair), and you’ve got standouts like:

• CMAT’s genre-bending Euro-Country
• Wolf Alice’s evocative The Clearing
• For Those I Love with the deeply personal Carving The Stone

The list of eligible albums is a fan’s feast, also including revered names like:

• The Cure with Songs Of A Lost World
• FKA Twigs’ boundary-pushing Eusexua
• Little Simz’ empowering Lotus
• Loyle Carner’s thoughtful Hopefully!
• Sam Fender’s reflective People Watching
• The vibrant energy of Lambrini Girls on Who Let The Dogs Out
• Pulp’s More
• Indie darlings Wet Leg with Moisturizer
• And the poetic prowess of Kae Tempest’s self-titled 2025 LP

It’s a golden era for British and Irish music, and the Mercury Prize’s timeline gives these artists a longer runway to shine.

The prestigious Mercury Prize Award for 2025

Submission and Ceremony Details

For artists and labels, the submission deadline was June 25, 2025—so the pool is set, and the waiting game begins.

Last year’s ceremony at London’s legendary Abbey Road Studios was unforgettable, with English Teacher clinching the prize for their debut This Could Be Texas. They edged out heavy hitters like Charli XCX, CMAT, Ghetts, and more in a fiercely competitive line-up.

And speaking of venues, the Mercury Prize is breaking tradition this year by leaving London behind. The 2025 final will be staged at the Utilita Arena in Newcastle on October 16. This move is part of a vibrant partnership with Newcastle City Council and the North East Combined Authority, aiming to shine a light on northern talent through a week-long fringe festival. It’s a fresh celebration of Britain’s musical diversity, and a nod to regional pride.

The Changing Face of UK Music Awards

This shake-up is part of a broader trend. The BRIT Awards will also be shifting venues in upcoming years, relocating to Manchester for 2026 and 2027, marking a major change from their traditional London locale.

For fans and artists alike, these moves signal a refreshing attempt to decentralize the music scene and spotlight the vibrant creative communities outside the capital.

Wrapping It Up: A New Era for the Mercury Prize

With a longer eligibility window and a brand-new home in Newcastle, the Mercury Prize 2025 promises to be a thrilling chapter in the UK and Ireland’s music saga. Whether your favorite release is an early contender or a late surprise, the wait for the September shortlist is going to be worth every second.

• What is the eligibility period for Mercury Prize 2025?
  Albums must be released between July 13, 2024, and August 29, 2025, to qualify.
• When will the Mercury Prize 2025 shortlist be announced?
  The shortlist will be unveiled on Wednesday, September 10, 2025.
• Where will the Mercury Prize 2025 ceremony be held?
  The final ceremony will take place at the Utilita Arena in Newcastle on October 16, 2025.
• Who won the Mercury Prize in 2024?
  English Teacher won for their debut album This Could Be Texas.
• Are there any changes to other major UK music awards?
  Yes, the BRIT Awards will move to Manchester for their 2026 and 2027 editions.

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