Big Night of Musicals: How to get tickets to Manchester show

• One of the world’s biggest, annual theatrical events will take place on Monday 26 January, hosted by comedian Jason Manford
• The evening will feature show-stopping performances from West End musicals and touring shows including Miss Saigon, Jesus Christ Superstar, The Producers, Wicked, I’m Every Woman: The Chaka Khan Musical, plus many more!
• The show serves as a special thank you to National Lottery players who have helped contribute over £1.4 billion in funding to more than 29,000 theatre related projects in the UK over the last 31 years

The National Lottery’s Big Night of Musicals will once again illuminate Manchester’s AO Arena on Monday 26 January 2026 with the world’s biggest annual theatrical event, delivering its most ambitious celebration of British theatre to date.

Now in its fifth year, this unmissable event, hosted by comedian and musical theatre star Jason Manford, will bring together a plethora of the UK’s biggest and most beloved musicals for one extraordinary night.

This annual celebration shines a spotlight on the incredible impact National Lottery players have on the performing arts. Over the last 31 years, National Lottery funding has supported more than 29,000 theatre-related projects nationwide and contributed over £1.4 billion by backing creative initiatives, restoring treasured venues and ensuring theatre remains accessible to audiences across the UK.

Featuring mesmerising performances from some of the biggest musicals from across the UK, alongside performances from a range of incredible National Lottery-funded arts organisations, the show is set to offer audience members the rare opportunity to experience the best musicals, all under one roof.

This year’s brilliant line up of West End and UK Touring shows include the spectacular new production of Miss Saigon, an exclusive performance from Jesus Christ Superstar with Sam Ryder, ahead of him making his West End debut in the role of Jesus, and the legendary musical comedy, Mel Brooks’ The Producers. Also featuring, is the extraordinary London production of Wicked ahead of its 20th Anniversary in the West End later in 2026, and I’m Every Woman: The Chaka Khan Musical, the inspiring life story of the multi-platinum selling, global icon, Chaka Khan played by Alexandra Burke… plus many more still to be announced.

Host Jason Manford said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to be hosting Big Night of Musicals by The National Lottery for the fifth-year running. The 2026 line-up is phenomenal, some of the biggest shows in the world are coming together for one night only, and I can’t wait for audiences to experience it. This event is also a huge thank you to National Lottery players whose support keeps theatre alive and accessible. Without their contributions, so many productions, training programmes and venue restorations simply wouldn’t be possible.”

As a special thank you to National Lottery players, 12,000 FREE tickets will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Each player can reserve up to four tickets (a £2 booking fee applies per ticket), proof of purchase of a National Lottery product is required. For more information and to register for free tickets, National Lottery players should visit: bignightofmusicals.com. Tickets go on general release at 1pm on Tuesday 9th December.

The show will be broadcast in Spring 2026 on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. For those who just can’t wait, a special episode featuring some of the most memorable performances from the past four years will air this Christmas - catch Biggest Night of Musicals by the National Lottery on BBC One and iPlayer at 18:45 on Saturday 27th December.