This incredible event is a rare opportunity to experience the very best musicals, all under one roof. And it’s exclusively for National Lottery players.

Hosted by comedian and musical theatre star Jason Manford, The National Lottery’s Big Night of Musicals will take place at Manchester’s AO Arena on 26th January 2026. Because of you more than £1.4BN of National Lottery funding has helped support 29,000 theatre related projects in the UK over the last 31 years.

We made 12,000 FREE** tickets to this incredible event available to National Lottery players on a first-come, first-served basis. Please note: all of these tickets have now been claimed.

The fifth installment of The National Lottery’s Big Night of Musicals will feature showstoppers from some of the biggest musicals as well as performances from a range of incredible National Lottery-funded arts projects.

The spectacular lineup includes the new production of Miss Saigon and an exclusive performance from Jesus Christ Superstar, with Sam Ryder making his debut as Jesus. Mel Brooks’ The Producers is also featured as are the extraordinary West End productions Wicked, Sunny Afternoon and I’m Every Woman: The Chaka Khan Musical starring Alexandra Burke. There will also be a special number from a National Lottery funded group featuring performers from the musical The Choir of Man.

Host Jason Manford said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to be hosting Big Night of Musicals by The National Lottery for the fifth-year running. This event is all made possible because of National Lottery players whose support has raised over £1.4BN for theatre related projects in the UK, which keeps theatre alive and accessible. 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.”

The fifth installment of The National Lottery’s Big Night of Musicals will be broadcast on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in Spring 2026.

For those who can’t wait that long, check out The Biggest Night of Musicals by The National Lottery, a special episode featuring some of the most memorable performances from the past four years. You’ll find it on BBC iPlayer.

**Tickets were free of charge with a £2 booking fee per ticket. Full Terms and Conditions Apply.

Originally published 8th December 2025. Updated 9th December 2025 and 9th January 2026.