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New Olympics and Paralympics campaign calls for future UK bids to be in the North
Summary
A coalition of northern mayors launched 'The Great North' campaign asking the government to back future Olympic and Paralympic bids based in northern England and to work on feasibility studies and legacy planning.
Content
A coalition of northern mayors and regional leaders has launched a campaign called 'The Great North' calling for future UK Olympic and Paralympic bids to be based in northern England. The group sent a joint letter to Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy asking the government to commit to backing such bids. Campaigners say a northern-based Games could help rebalance the nation's north–south divide and create long-term benefits for local communities. The initiative requests government collaboration on feasibility studies, preparatory work and legacy goals.
Key points:
- The Great North campaign was formally launched with a joint letter to Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy requesting government backing for northern-based Olympic and Paralympic bids.
- Campaigners seek collaboration from national government and sporting bodies on feasibility studies, preparatory work and long-term legacy planning.
- Organisers point to a recent International Olympic Committee shift favouring multi-city and region-wide Games as supportive of their approach.
- The group highlights existing events and venues across the North, mentioning the Manchester Commonwealth Games, Euro 2028 football matches, the Great North Run, Rugby League World Cups, The Open, Ashes Tests, the Grand National and major football tournaments.
- Senior regional figures including Andy Burnham, Kim McGuinness, Steve Rotheram, Tracy Brabin and Sir Brendan Foster have publicly supported the campaign.
Summary:
The campaign aims to shift major multi-sport hosting to the North to stimulate regeneration, jobs and tourism, as reported by campaign supporters. The group has asked national government and sporting organisations to examine and support a northern bid; any further steps will depend on responses from those bodies.
