UK City of Culture 2029 longlist revealed

Nine locations across the UK have been longlisted to become the next UK City of Culture in 2029, each set to receive £60,000 to develop full applications – as competition intensifies around culture-led growth and regional investment.

The longlisted places are Blackpool, Inverness-Highland, Ipswich, Middlesbrough, Milton Keynes, Portsmouth, Sheffield, Swindon and Wrexham. The winner, to be announced later this year, will receive a £10m prize to deliver a year-long cultural programme designed to drive economic impact, tourism and local regeneration. The announcement highlights the increasing role of culture as a growth engine for local economies, with previous host cities attracting millions in investment, generating jobs and boosting visitor numbers. It comes as more than 230 towns have registered interest in the UK’s first-ever Town of Culture competition, signalling strong demand for initiatives that combine place-making, community engagement and economic development.

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said: “For far too long, opportunity has not been shared equally across the country. The UK City of Culture and new UK Town of Culture competitions recognise the enormous contributions made by communities all over the UK who are all part of the story of who we are as a nation. I look forward to seeing what the nine longlisted places have in store as they progress in the competition. I also urge any towns thinking about entering the UK Town of Culture competition to seize this opportunity and get involved. It’s a chance to show the country what makes them unique and shine a spotlight on their cultural offer, enriching the lives of local people.”

Culture as an economic driver

The City of Culture programme has increasingly become a strategic tool for regeneration, with cities using it to attract investment, strengthen local industries and support creative economies. Sir Phil Redmond, Chair of the City of Culture Expert Advisory Panel, said:
“Once again, the UK City of Culture competition is providing bidders the opportunity to both demonstrate and experience a focused year, using culture as the creative catalyst for change, raising awareness and changing perceptions. Derry-Londonderry, Hull, Coventry and more recently Bradford, have all demonstrated the quality and depth of cultural activity embedded across the UK, as well as the benefits of simply taking part.

The competition brings people together, to talk to each other rather than at each other, sharing commonality and tolerating difference. Above all, allowing places to demonstrate their own pride in their places. It is for these reasons that the new UK Town of Culture competition has been launched, to share the opportunities as wide as possible, with Expressions of Interest (EOI) due by the 31st March.” For businesses and entrepreneurs, the programme represents an opportunity to tap into increased footfall, infrastructure investment and cultural momentum, particularly in sectors such as hospitality, retail, tourism and the creative industries.

Regional ambitions and growth potential

Local leaders across the longlisted cities emphasised the potential for culture-led investment to drive long-term economic and social outcomes. Scotland Office Minister Kirsty McNeill said:
“I’m delighted to see Inverness make the longlist to be named the next UK City of Culture. I would like to congratulate the city and the bid team on reaching this stage of the competition. With its blend of significant historical sites, contemporary festivals and impressive landmarks – such as the newly-restored Inverness Castle – the ‘Capital of the Highlands’ has a unique story to tell. It also has huge potential to demonstrate how culture can drive long-term investment and positive change across the region.”

Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens said:
“Wrexham is Wales’s newest city and I’m delighted to see it flying the flag for Wales in this competition. The city and area has so much to offer in heritage, culture and sport – I wish Wrexham every success with its bid. I also encourage our fantastic Welsh towns to take the opportunity to apply to become the UK’s first Town of Culture so we can share what makes our communities special with as many people as possible.”

Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Hilary Benn said:
“With the deadline to register an Expression of Interest just over two weeks away, I really hope towns across Northern Ireland will think about applying to the Town of Culture competition. There is so much to celebrate in the history and culture of towns across Northern Ireland. The Town of Culture competition offers practical support to boost local cultural activities, which helps bring communities together.”

Local voices and business impact

Across the shortlisted cities, leaders highlighted how the designation could support local businesses, attract talent and reshape perceptions. Councillor Lynn Williams, Leader of Blackpool Council, said: “Blackpool is bursting with culture and variety. We’ve just celebrated a week-long festival of circus and magic and are looking forward to welcoming the works of both Claude Monet and William Shakespeare in March – all of which is complemented by our year-round celebration of the art and culture of today and tomorrow.

Our diverse culture and entertainment offer means Blackpool has something for everybody, from all age groups and backgrounds. Being named as the City of Culture 2029 would showcase the talent and creativity that we already have on our doorstep, making all our residents proud of our bold, vibrant and cultural town. To top it all off, 2029 would mark the 150th anniversary of one of Britain’s first and most loved mass arts displays – the Blackpool Illuminations.”

Convener of The Highland Council, Councillor Bill Lobban said:
“I am delighted that Inverness and the Highlands have been longlisted for UK City of Culture. This is an extraordinary moment which recognises the creativity, resilience and cultural richness of communities spread across one of the most unique and diverse regions in the UK. This bid celebrates our landscapes, our languages, our young people and our shared ambition for a confident, connected and sustainable future. We are delighted to take this next step and to showcase the Highlands as a place where culture drives opportunity, innovation and pride.”

Bryony Hope, Head of Communications and Development at DanceEast said:
“Being named on the longlist for UK City of Culture 2029 is an important moment for Ipswich and recognition of the ambition that exists here. The bid has been shaped by genuine partnership, collaboration and leadership – from Ipswich Borough Council and cultural organisations through to businesses, community organisations, residents, children and young people, and Ipswich Town Football Club. We are all united by a shared belief in the role that culture can play in strengthening communities and supporting our shared future.

We see every day how creativity brings people together, builds confidence and opens opportunities for people of all ages. Ensuring that the next generation can access and shape culture in Ipswich is a central part of the vision behind the bid. We are proud to see Ipswich recognised nationally and we welcome the opportunity to build on this momentum. Our focus now is on working with partners and young people across Ipswich, our region, nationally and internationally, to develop the strongest possible case to become UK City of Culture 2029.”

Middlesbrough Mayor Chris Cooke said:
“Our bid takes Middlesbrough’s motto, ‘Erimus’, – which translates to ‘We Shall Be’ – literally. It brings together our history as an industrial powerhouse with our ambition to become the UK’s most creative place. I am delighted that we’ve been longlisted for what would be a once in a generation opportunity to celebrate the creativity of our residents, artists and businesses and change how people view Middlesbrough.”

Cabinet Member for Planning and Placemaking at Milton Keynes City Council, Councillor Shanika Mahendran said: “Being longlisted for UK City of Culture 2029 is an exciting moment for Milton Keynes. It recognises the potential of our bold design heritage, our creative communities and our forward-looking identity, and we thank the expert judging panel and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport for seeing that potential. We look forward to working closely with partners from across the city as we develop the full application, and to showing even more of what makes Milton Keynes such an inventive, welcoming and culturally ambitious place.”

Bernie Topham, Chair of Portsmouth Creates:
“We are truly ecstatic that we have made the Longlist of cities in the running to become UK City of Culture 2029. Even at the very start of this process we have seen and felt firsthand the incredible power that a competition like this can have on a community and place. This is a hugely proud moment for everyone here in Portsmouth, now we must continue working together to put Portsmouth on the map… Because together We Are Pompey 2029!”

Councillor Tom Hunt, Leader of Sheffield City Council, said:
“We’re incredibly proud that Sheffield has been longlisted for UK City of Culture 2029. This city has always been powered by creativity – seen in our globally influential music, film, games and art. We don’t just put culture on a stage, we live it, make it and share it with the world. Grown from the ground up, it’s shaped by the people who call Sheffield home. Culture isn’t separate from how Sheffield grows, it’s part of how we build a stronger, more confident city. It brings people in, creates jobs, supports our independent businesses, and helps talent choose to stay and build their future here. This is a brilliant moment for our city and a chance to show the confidence, creativity and ambition that defines Sheffield today.”

Councillor Marina Strinkovsky, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Placemaking and Planning said: “Being longlisted for UK City of Culture is an extraordinary moment for Swindon. It recognises the imagination, talent and determination that have always defined our town. This achievement belongs to every artist, volunteer, young producer, community group and cultural organisation that has poured their energy into telling Swindon’s story. We’re a place built by thinkers, makers and innovators and today’s news shows that the rest of the country is beginning to see what we’ve known all along. Longlisting gives us a powerful platform to showcase our heritage, our ambition and our belief in Swindon as a cultural powerhouse. I couldn’t be prouder of what we’ve achieved together and I’m excited to hear if we get shortlisted”.

Amanda Evans, Culture Bid Director at Wrexham Community & Culture Trust comments:
“We are delighted to make the longlist and are more driven than ever to win the UK City of Culture title for 2029. Winning the bid will help to secure a bright social and economic future for Wrexham, bringing new opportunities for people who live and work in the area, as well as supporting our arts and culture sector in more ways than ever before. This is a really, really exciting time for us and we are committing everything over the next few months to put Wrexham on a global stage and show why we are worthy of winning the title.”

A competitive landscape for cultural investment

All nine longlisted places will now develop detailed bids outlining how culture can deliver long-term transformation. Each has received £60,000 in funding — increased from £40,000 in previous competitions — reflecting the growing scale and ambition of the programme.

As the competition progresses, the focus will shift to how each location can convert cultural identity into sustainable economic growth, positioning the UK City of Culture title as both a cultural accolade and a strategic investment opportunity.