North England Could Host Olympics by 2040s

The UK government just took the first official step toward bringing the Olympics to northern England in the 2040s, a move that could transform the region and finally give it the international spotlight leaders say it deserves.

UK Sport will conduct an assessment examining costs, economic benefits, and the feasibility of hosting the Games across cities like Manchester, Liverpool, and Leeds. The study marks a major shift after years of Olympic bids centered exclusively on London.

"For too long we have been told the Olympics is simply too big and too important to be hosted in the north," Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy told BBC Sport. "Not any more."

The region already has impressive infrastructure in place. Manchester boasts the Etihad Stadium, a national velodrome, and an aquatics center, all built or upgraded after the city successfully hosted the 2002 Commonwealth Games.

Manchester United plans to complete a new 100,000-seat stadium by 2035, while Liverpool's waterfront could host sailing events. The Lake District offers stunning venues for open-water swimming competitions.

Northern political leaders have been pushing for this opportunity since February, arguing their region has been overlooked despite having elite sporting venues and major stadiums ready to go. The International Olympic Committee now favors multi-city bids that use existing infrastructure, making northern England's proposal particularly timely.

London 2012 cost £8.77 billion but regenerated east London and brought the nation together. More than two-thirds of Britons felt it was worth the investment, according to surveys.

The Ripple Effect

This bid represents more than just two weeks of sports. An Olympics in the north could accelerate infrastructure improvements, create thousands of jobs, and bring international investment to communities that have historically received less attention than the capital.

The assessment will identify which venues need upgrades and determine realistic costs in today's challenging financial climate. Nandy emphasized working with existing infrastructure rather than building from scratch, learning from London's experience of going three times over budget.

If the initial study shows promise, UK Sport will conduct a detailed technical feasibility study. The final decision on whether to bid rests with the British Olympic Association, which would then present the proposal to the International Olympic Committee.

Manchester tried and failed to secure the Olympics in 1996 and 2000, but those setbacks led to the successful Commonwealth Games that transformed the city's sporting landscape. Now, with multiple cities ready to collaborate and the IOC embracing regional bids, the north's Olympic dream feels closer than ever.

"We've got to prove to them that we can do this in the north of England," Nandy said. "I believe that we can, though, and we're deadly serious about making it happen."