The government has taken a major step towards bringing the Olympic and Paralympic Games back to the UK, with a new assessment exploring whether the North of England could host the global event in the 2040s.
North of England is being considered for the Olympic bid
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has commissioned UK Sport to carry out an initial strategic review into the feasibility of a Northern-based Games.
The study will examine potential costs, economic impact and the likelihood of a successful bid, marking the first formal move towards hosting the Olympics in the UK since London 2012.
Leaders across the North have welcomed the announcement, including Cheshire and Warrington Combined Authority Chair, Cllr Louise Gittins, who said the region is ready to play a key role if plans progress.
“Cheshire and Warrington, a region with a rich heritage of grassroots and elite sporting success, unrivalled quality of life, natural beauty and world class tourism offer stands ready should the government-backed bid to bring a future UK Olympic and Paralympic Games to the North be successful,” she said.
“The Olympics will bring people together and it is chance to for Cheshire and Warrington to utilise our unique position as a true gateway to the North, North Wales and rest of the UK, proudly roll out the red carpet and further cement our reputation as a global destination that already welcomes more than 50 million visitors each year.”
The UK could host an Olympic and Paralympic Games in the North of England during the 2040s
Her comments follow a joint push earlier this year from “The Great North,” a coalition of mayors and regional leaders urging the government to commit to basing any future UK Olympic bid in the North.
Ministers say the potential bid forms part of a wider strategy to use sport as a driver of economic growth, regeneration and national pride.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said the move signals a “long overdue vote of confidence in the North,” highlighting the region’s sporting legacy and untapped potential to host a global event of this scale.
Meanwhile, Chancellor Rachel Reeves emphasised the economic benefits, linking the proposal to the government’s broader Northern Growth Corridor ambitions.
Alongside the Olympic assessment, the government has announced a series of measures aimed at boosting sports-led development across the country.
These include a new Stadium Regeneration Accelerator programme, designed to unlock major infrastructure projects and support housing, jobs and transport improvements around key venues.
A new Sporting Events Bill has also been introduced to Parliament, aiming to simplify the process of hosting major international events while tackling ticket touting through stronger resale restrictions.
The government is also preparing a wider strategy for major events across sport, culture and business, alongside appointing Lord McConnell as a Ministerial Adviser on Soft Power and Major Events.
These efforts build on an already strong pipeline of upcoming competitions, including UEFA EURO 2028 and the 2027 Tour de France Grand Départ in the UK, as well as ongoing bids for future global tournaments.
Officials have stressed that the current work is exploratory, with no formal commitment yet to submit a bid. The findings from UK Sport’s assessment will determine whether a full feasibility study is carried out.
Any final decision on a UK Olympic and Paralympic bid will ultimately rest with the British Olympic Association and British Paralympic Association.