Since finding fame on The X Factor in 2012, Rylan has become a familiar face across several major television shows including Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two, This Morning and Big Brother’s Bit on the Side.
Alongside his television work, he is also an established radio broadcaster with his own weekly show, Rylan on Saturday, on BBC Radio 2.
Fantastic fit
Known for his down-to-earth style and sharp sense of humour, Rylan was awarded a BAFTA last year for his travel series with TV judge Rob Rinder, Rob and Rylan’s Grand Tour.
Editor of The Morning Advertiser, which organises the awards, Ed Bedington, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to have Rylan hosting the 2026 Publican Awards.
“His warmth, humour and ability to connect with any audience make him a fantastic fit for an evening dedicated to celebrating the very best of the pub sector. We know he’ll bring real energy to the biggest night in the industry’s calendar.”
Now in their 35th year, the Publican Awards will return to London Evolution in Battersea on Wednesday 26 March 2026 for a party of epic proportions.
New category
Celebrating the best in the business across a wide range of categories, the awards include Best Community Pub Operator, Best Drinks Offer, Best New Site, Best Pub Brand/Concept, Best Operations Team, Best Sustainable Pub Company and Best Pub Employer.
This year also sees the introduction of a new category, Best Experiential Operator, which not only covers the late-night sector, but embraces the fast growing category of competitive socialising.
The awards are sponsored by Asahi, Atmosphere, Budweiser Brewing Group, Carlsberg Britvic, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, Damm UK, Diageo, Funkin, Heineken UK, Illy, Molson Coors, Poppleston Allen, Sky Business, Square, and Thatchers.
The 2026 finalists are:
Best Accommodation Operator
Chickpea Group
Stay Original
Chestnut
Cheshire Cat Pubs and Inns
Heartwood Inns
Best Brewing Pub Company
Robinsons Brewery
Joule’s Brewery
Butcombe Brewing Co
Everards
Best Community Pub Operator
Proper Pubs
Craft Union Pub Company
Stonegate Group - LGBTQ+ Venues
Oak Taverns
Best Drinks Offer
Cheshire Cat Pubs and Inns
Ardent Pub Group
BrewDog
Best Food Offer
Longbow Venues
Wadworth
Urban Pubs and Bars
Best Experiential Operator
NEOS Hospitality
Laine Pubs
Professional at Play
Incipio Group
Best Managed Pub Company (2-50 sites)
Coaching Inn Group
Parogon Group
St Austell Brewery
ETM Group
Upham Inns
Best Managed Pub Company (51+ sites)
Urban Pubs and Bars
McMullen and Sons
Mitchells & Butlers
Best New Site
Babble - Vicarious Pub Co and the Crafthouse Collective
The White Horse & Bower - Shepherd Neame
The Station House - Almond Pubs
Molly Mcs - Windmill Taverns
The Mitre Inn - Glastonbury Pubs
The Hoxton Hound - Brewhouse and Kitchen
Best Partnership Pub Company (501+ sites)
Punch Pubs & Co
Greene King
Craft Union Pub Company
Best Partnership Pub Company (up to 500 sites)
Laine Pubs
Wells & Co
Best Premium Food Offer
Anglian Country Inns
Ardent Pub Group
Parogon Group
Cubitt House
Best Pub Brand/Concept
Box - Arc Inspirations
Roxy Leisure
King Pins
NEOS Hospitality
Best Pub Employer (501+ employees)
Chestnut
Butcombe Group
Signature Group
Best Pub Employer (up to 500 employees)
Longbow Venues
Barons Pub Company
Portobello Pubs and Bars
Cubitt House
Best Pub Operations Team
Craft Union Pub Company
Anglian Country Inns
Hickory’s Smokehouse
Proper Pubs
Best Sustainable Pub Company
St Austell Brewery
Wells & Co
Ardent Pub Group
