15 UK towns shortlisted for inaugural 2028 Town of Culture

Fifteen towns from across the United Kingdom have been shortlisted to become the inaugural UK Town of Culture in 2028, a new award carrying a £3 million government grant. The finalists, selected from nearly 400 applications, were announced on July 10, 2026, and will now compete to host a year-long season of cultural events.

The shortlisted towns are divided into three size categories. The small towns are Ilfracombe, Isle of Bute, Lerwick, Sandown, Strabane, and Stockton Town Centre Ward. The medium towns are Corby, Great Yarmouth, Leith, Pontypridd, and Port Talbot. The large towns are Basildon, Birkenhead, Grimsby, and Rotherham. Each of the fifteen will receive £60,000 to develop a comprehensive final bid. From these, one town from each size category will advance to a final round, where an overall winner will be chosen. The two category winners that do not secure the main title will each receive a £250,000 grant.

The competition, run by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, is designed to mirror the established UK City of Culture award. The Town of Culture winner for 2028 will be announced alongside the selection of the City of Culture for 2029, which carries a £10...