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. The show serves as a special thank you to National Lottery players who have helped contribute over £1.4BN in funding to more than 29,000 theatre related projects in the UK over the last 31 years.

As a special thank you, 12,000 FREE** tickets to this incredible event will be available to National Lottery players 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: www.ao-arena.com/events/detail/big-night-of-musicals-2026. Tickets go on general release at 1pm on Tuesday 9th December 2025.

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 and I’m Every Woman: The Chaka Khan Musical starring Alexandra Burke. More amazing productions will be announced in the coming weeks.

Host Jason Manford said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to be hosting The National Lottery’s Big Night of Musicals 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.”

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, a special episode featuring some of the most memorable performances from the past four years will be shown this Christmas. Catch the Biggest Night of Musicals by The National Lottery on BBC One and iPlayer at 6.45pm on Saturday 27th December 2025.

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

8th December 2025