Northern Cities Unite to Bid for 2040 Olympics: A New Era for Britain's Sports Scene?
A coalition of mayors from northern England has launched a joint bid to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2040, aiming to bring much-needed economic boost and international recognition to a region often overlooked by national politics. The ambitious plan would see games hosted across multiple cities, covering an area with a population of 15 million people.
In a letter signed by 11 prominent politicians, the group urged Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy to support their bid, citing its potential to accelerate regeneration, rebalance the economy, and reshape international perceptions of England. This move comes as the International Olympic Committee has prioritized multi-city events, creating an opportunity for northern mayors to seize.
The bid is backed by some high-profile figures, including Andy Burnham, mayor of Greater Manchester, who argued that hosting the games would be a "fairer distribution" of major international sporting events across the country. Sadiq Khan's decision to bid for London once again was met with skepticism, with Burnham stating it "wouldn't be fair or right" for the capital to host for a fourth time.
Supporters argue that the north has a unique mix of sporting heritage and elite venues, making it an ideal host region. Luke Campbell, Reform UK's mayor of Hull and East Yorkshire, stressed the benefits of bringing the Olympics to the north, saying it would not only be a boost for local communities but also give young people something to aim for.
The bid is seen as a strategic move by Labour leader Keir Starmer's party, which trails in the polls behind Nigel Farage's Reform UK. By backing the northern games, Starmer may attempt to shore up support in former Labour heartlands that have been won over by Reform UK.
However, concerns about the legacy of previous Olympic Games must be addressed. The 2012 London Olympics cost nearly ยฃ8.8 billion, resulting in costly gentrification and leaving a lasting impact on local communities. As one research study from 2024 described the games as a "cautionary tale" for local communities.
Despite these challenges, northern mayors are optimistic about their chances of securing the 2040 Olympics bid. The proposal has sparked renewed hope that this region will finally receive the international recognition it deserves, transforming its sports scene and leaving an enduring legacy for future generations.
A coalition of mayors from northern England has launched a joint bid to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2040, aiming to bring much-needed economic boost and international recognition to a region often overlooked by national politics. The ambitious plan would see games hosted across multiple cities, covering an area with a population of 15 million people.
In a letter signed by 11 prominent politicians, the group urged Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy to support their bid, citing its potential to accelerate regeneration, rebalance the economy, and reshape international perceptions of England. This move comes as the International Olympic Committee has prioritized multi-city events, creating an opportunity for northern mayors to seize.
The bid is backed by some high-profile figures, including Andy Burnham, mayor of Greater Manchester, who argued that hosting the games would be a "fairer distribution" of major international sporting events across the country. Sadiq Khan's decision to bid for London once again was met with skepticism, with Burnham stating it "wouldn't be fair or right" for the capital to host for a fourth time.
Supporters argue that the north has a unique mix of sporting heritage and elite venues, making it an ideal host region. Luke Campbell, Reform UK's mayor of Hull and East Yorkshire, stressed the benefits of bringing the Olympics to the north, saying it would not only be a boost for local communities but also give young people something to aim for.
The bid is seen as a strategic move by Labour leader Keir Starmer's party, which trails in the polls behind Nigel Farage's Reform UK. By backing the northern games, Starmer may attempt to shore up support in former Labour heartlands that have been won over by Reform UK.
However, concerns about the legacy of previous Olympic Games must be addressed. The 2012 London Olympics cost nearly ยฃ8.8 billion, resulting in costly gentrification and leaving a lasting impact on local communities. As one research study from 2024 described the games as a "cautionary tale" for local communities.
Despite these challenges, northern mayors are optimistic about their chances of securing the 2040 Olympics bid. The proposal has sparked renewed hope that this region will finally receive the international recognition it deserves, transforming its sports scene and leaving an enduring legacy for future generations.
I'm low-key loving this news! A joint bid from northern England is a game-changer (pun intended) 
. It's time we shine a spotlight on our amazing cities like Manchester, Hull, and Leeds 
. The idea of hosting the Olympics across multiple cities is genius - it would bring so much energy and excitement to the region! Plus, it could be a huge boost for local economies and communities 
.
, but the north has some of the most incredible cities with loads of talent and passion 
.
. Remember what happened in London 2012? It was a disaster for local communities 
. We need to make sure this bid prioritizes people, not just profits 
.
. Fingers crossed! 
! I'm also loving the fact that Andy Burnham is backing this bid and arguing for a fairer distribution of major international events across the country. Less London, more Manchester and beyond? 
A coalition of northern mayors is really trying to shake things up in Britain's sports scene! They're not just throwing a bid together, they're bringing the whole region together to show what they've got! 
And I love how Sadiq Khan is being all skeptical about London hosting again - it's time for the north to take center stage! 
, I think this is a solid move by the northern mayors! They're tryna bring some major economic boost to their regions and show the rest of England that they can host a sick Olympics event 
. I'm down for Andy Burnham's idea of "fairer distribution" of events across the country 
. But overall, I'm hyped for this bid! 
think this northen cities unifying to host olympics is a great idea 
its about time the rest of britain got some love 
. and i agree with Andy Burnham's point, hosting games across multiple cities can bring so many benefits not just for the host region but also to the communities involved. it shows that there's a way to make these big events more inclusive 
, remember that? It's crazy to think we're 29 years later and the north is finally getting a shot at hosting the Games. I mean, it's not like they didn't have the potential back then... but, you know, progress and all that 
. The idea of multiple cities coming together for one big event sounds cool, but what about the costs? We can't forget what happened in 2012... ยฃ8.8 billion went missing down a rabbit hole, mate 
. Still, I'm optimistic โ it's about time the north gets its due recognition 
I mean, we've had the Olympics in London before, but it's been ages since anyone from up north got to shine on the global stage. It'd be awesome if they could finally bring some recognition to places like Hull and Manchester. But what about the cost? We can't just forget about all the financial baggage that came with the 2012 games... ยฃ8.8 billion?! 
i mean idk if it's gonna work but at least it's a chance for those northern cities to shine 
still, gotta give them points for trying, right? 
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for the region, which has been overlooked for far too long 
It's time to put the north on the map 
and bring some much-needed cash 
, and it's great that Luke Campbell is on board with this idea 
. We need more opportunities like this for our future leaders 
. Fingers crossed (or should I say, hearts?) 
. We don't want to end up like 2012 London, where gentrification was a huge issue 
. The north needs to make sure they're prepared for the impact that hosting the games could have on local communities 
.
. It's time for northern England to take center stage 
and show the world what we're capable of 
!
. Who's to say they can't pull off the Olympics? London's had its chance, time for the north to shine 
showing the population growth of northern England over the past decade, it's clear that the region has been neglected for far too long 
. 
. It's time for a change! 
. Fingers crossed they can make it happen and bring some much-needed love to the north 
