The 2026 Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) Awards ceremony is set to celebrate the outstanding achievements in English football. This year’s event, taking place at the Manchester Opera House, will honor the top players across various leagues and categories. While traditional television broadcasts are not planned, fans can follow the proceedings through digital channels and social media updates.
How to Watch the PFA Awards Live
For those eager to follow the 2026 PFA Awards, live coverage will be accessible online. The main ceremony will not be televised on major UK sports channels such as Sky Sports, BBC, or TNT Sports. Instead, the PFA is leveraging digital platforms to reach fans directly.
Red Carpet and Main Ceremony Streaming
Fans can tune into the red carpet arrivals live via the PFA’s official TikTok and YouTube accounts. These streams will offer a behind-the-scenes look at the players and guests arriving for the event.
The announcement of the main award winners will occur in real-time throughout the evening. These updates will be disseminated across the PFA’s various social media channels, allowing followers to stay informed as the night progresses.
PFA Awards 2026 Schedule and Timing
The PFA Awards ceremony is scheduled to take place in Manchester. The venue for this year’s event is the historic Manchester Opera House.
Key Timings for the Event
- Red Carpet Fan-Pens Open: 2:30 PM BST
- Official Indoor Ceremony Begins: Approximately 7:30 PM BST
The fan-pens for observing the red carpet arrivals will open in the mid-afternoon. The formal indoor ceremony, where the major awards will be presented, is expected to commence in the early evening.
Award Categories and Honorees
The PFA Awards recognize excellence across the spectrum of English professional football. The ceremony highlights individual brilliance and significant contributions to the sport.
Headline Awards
The most prestigious awards presented are:
- Men’s PFA Players’ Player of the Year
- Women’s PFA Players’ Player of the Year
- Men’s PFA Young Player of the Year
- Women’s PFA Young Player of the Year
Additional Recognitions
Beyond the headline awards, the ceremony will also feature:
- The PFA Merit Award, honoring long-term service and contribution to football.
- Recognition for Community Champions, highlighting players’ positive impact off the field.
- Players’ Player of the Year awards for the Championship, League One, League Two, and the Women’s Super League 2 (WSL2).
Nominees for Top Men’s Awards
The shortlist for the Men’s PFA Players’ Player of the Year award features several prominent figures from leading clubs. Arsenal players feature heavily, with nominations for Declan Rice, Gabriel Magalhaes, and David Raya. Manchester City’s Erling Haaland and Rayan Cherki are also recognized. Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes, who has already received the Premier League Player of the Year award, rounds out the notable nominees.
Men’s Players’ Player of the Year Shortlist Highlights:
- Declan Rice (Arsenal)
- Gabriel Magalhaes (Arsenal)
- David Raya (Arsenal)
- Erling Haaland (Manchester City)
- Rayan Cherki (Manchester City)
- Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United)
Nominees for Top Women’s Awards
In the women’s categories, the competition is equally fierce. Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw, a previous winner, is nominated again. She faces strong contenders including Arsenal’s Alessia Russo, Chelsea’s Lauren James, Manchester City’s Yui Hasegawa, Manchester United’s Jess Park, and Aston Villa’s Kirsty Hanson.
Women’s Players’ Player of the Year Shortlist Highlights:
- Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw (Manchester City)
- Alessia Russo (Arsenal)
- Lauren James (Chelsea)
- Yui Hasegawa (Manchester City)
- Jess Park (Manchester United)
- Kirsty Hanson (Aston Villa)
The PFA Awards ceremony promises to be a significant event, celebrating the dedication and skill of players throughout the English football season. Fans are encouraged to follow the digital channels for live updates and to witness the crowning of this year’s top talents.
