Govt allocates £7m to fleshing out Northern Olympic bid
This week’s Budget is to include a commitment for UK Sport to carry out a feasibility study on the North of England hosting the Games in the 2040s.
The sporting body is expected to report back in 2029, as Andy Burnham’s government looks to major on the ability of sport to act as a unifying force and “lift communities”.
Last year’s Women’s Rugby World Cup was cited by the government, while on the upcoming agenda it has 2027’s Grand Departs for both men’s and women’s Tours de France. The UK and Ireland will also host the UEFA EURO 2028 men’s football tournament.
Those events are backed by government investment of more than £500m. Chancellor John Healey is expected to confirm the funding at Wednesday’s Budget.
The funding follows on from mayors from across the North writing to culture secretary Lisa Nandy in February outlining the potential benefits of a pan-Northen bid. UK Sport was then asked to carry out an initial assessment in May.
Before that, writing for the University of Liverpool’s Heseltine Institute last autumn, Liam Fogarty had made the case for a joint Liverpool-Manchester bid.
Prime Minister Burnham said: “Few things bring a country together quite like the Olympics. I want people to feel that sense of excitement again, and to experience it in their own towns and communities, not just watch it on the telly.
“The Games would unlock opportunity across our towns and cities for the whole country. From north to south, it would be something everyone could get behind and be proud of.
“We know we can put on the greatest show on earth. Now we want to explore how we can do it again, with the whole country behind it.”
Cllr Garry Bridges, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “You do not need to look far to understand the transformative impact that sport has had on our region. The 2002 Commonwealth Games was a huge moment for our city, acting as a catalyst for our economy boom, encouraging future growth and setting the stage for the development of some of the biggest names in world sport, right here in Manchester.
“From major sporting events to highlights on the cultural calendar Manchester has a proven track record of being able to shine on the biggest of stages. From inspiring the next generation of sporting stars to showcasing what our region has to offer to the world, this latest initiative is exciting and one that we are ready for and would eagerly welcome.
“This bid could be a defining moment for the north and it is a huge signal of confidence that the Government is so committed to sport in our region, and providing the investment needed to get the north’s Olympic bid off the ground.”
UK Sport’s initial work mapping out the costs and potential benefits of a Northern Games has helped it clear its first hurdle.
The next stage will see the organisation look in greater detail at how this would work in practice, including types of venues and transport links needed, and how hosting could be spread across the North.
It will also examine the costs and benefits involved for communities and the prospects of developing a winning bid. This work will to be taken forward in partnership, between government, UK Sport, and the Northern Mayors, as well as the British Olympic and Paralympic Associations, the bodies ultimately responsible for making any bid.
The government’s thinking is that a Games bid would tie into its Northern Growth Strategy, covering investment in better transport links, new homes, public spaces and grassroots sport.
Healey said: “Olympic legacy lasts way beyond the celebration of sport over the summer. The North hosting an event as big as this would be truly unforgettable.
“Britain’s experience of London 2012 is proof we can host the world. I’m picking up the pace on our work to potentially bid for these prestigious games. It will lift communities, create opportunities and give the UK a huge boost.”
Culture secretary Nandy said: “We have an incredible sporting history and have produced some of the greatest Olympians and Paralympians, from Keely Hodgkinson and Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill, to Hannah Cockcroft and Alistair Brownlee.
“Every corner of the country has the talent, potential and ambition to host an iconic Olympic and Paralympic Games. We’re backing the next steps towards a Northern Olympic bid so together we can write the next chapter of our country’s Olympic legacy.”
