The Government has commissioned UK Sport to carry out an initial strategic assessment examining whether the UK could host the Olympics and Paralympic Games in the North of England during the 2040s, as part of an ambitious growth drive to use sports to power regeneration of towns and cities.
Initial work examining whether the UK could host the Games for the first time since London 2012 will assess key factors such as potential cost, socioeconomic benefit and any bid’s chance of success.
The Government firmly sees major sporting events and sporting facilities as playing a key role in driving economic growth, regeneration, improving pride in place, and bolstering the UK’s global appeal.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said: “London 2012 showed what the Olympics can do for our country. It inspired a generation through sport, attracted huge investment and showed the best of Britain to the world.
“But while the North of England has driven so much sporting excellence, no matter the talent we produce, the sporting moments we create, and the world-class events we attract – for too long we have been told the Olympics is simply too big and too important to be hosted in the North.
“Not any more. It’s time the Olympics came North and we showed what we can offer to the world. I couldn’t be more pleased to announce that we’re starting the firing gun on a long overdue vote of confidence in the North.”
The Government has also announced a wave of new work to use sport as a catalyst for local regeneration and economic growth. This includes:
A Stadium Regeneration Accelerator:
In a further growth boost for towns and cities across England, a new cross-government programme will work with sporting bodies on priority sports infrastructure development projects – such as stadiums – that can help deliver local regeneration and commercial growth.
A new Sporting Events Bill:
Introduced to Parliament, the new Bill will make it easier to bid for, secure and deliver major sporting events in future, including UEFA EURO 2028. It will also make the unauthorised resale of tickets for designated major events a criminal offence, ensuring more tickets reach real fans at face value rather than being snapped up by touts and resold.
UK Government Strategy for Major Events:
The Government will set out its plans to support and provide leadership to the nation’s wider major events sector, by delivering a cross-sector strategy within the coming year. The strategy will cover major events in all sectors – cultural, sporting and business – and will ensure that major events continue to drive economic growth, enhance the UK’s soft power across the globe, and strengthen social cohesion in our towns and cities.
A Ministerial Adviser on Soft Power and Major Events:
The Government has also appointed Lord McConnell as a Ministerial Adviser on Soft Power and Major Events. Lord McConnell, who was central to bringing the Commonwealth Games to Glasgow in 2014, will support the Government’s ambition to cement the UK’s position as the go-to destination for the world’s most prestigious sporting and cultural events, drawing on his experience in international affairs, public policy and supporting the delivery of major events.
The UK has a phenomenal pipeline of major sporting events to look forward to. This summer alone brings the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham and the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. In 2027, the Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes Grands Départs will be the most accessible major sporting event ever held in Great Britain. UEFA EURO 2028 is forecast to generate £3.2 billion in socioeconomic benefits – creating jobs, driving regional growth, and drawing a surge of international visitors to communities the length and breadth of the country.
The Government is already backing bids to host the World Athletics and Para-Athletics Championships in 2029, as well as the 2035 FIFA Women’s World Cup, as part of its commitment to driving a decade of change in women’s sport.
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