Nine UK Locations Longlisted for 2029 City of Culture

Nine locations across the United Kingdom have advanced to the longlist for the UK City of Culture title in 2029, positioning them to compete for a prestigious year of cultural programming that follows Bradford's tenure in 2025. The selected places are Blackpool, Inverness and the Highlands, Ipswich, Middlesbrough, Milton Keynes, Portsmouth, Sheffield, Swindon, and Wrexham. The announcement, made by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, came after an independent expert advisory panel reviewed initial bids from 17 contenders.

Each of the nine longlisted locations will receive £60,000 to develop their full applications, an increase from the £40,000 provided in previous rounds. The winner, to be announced later this year, will secure £10 million to fund a year of cultural events rooted in local identity and strengths. For the first time, the three strongest shortlisted bids that do not win will each receive £125,000 to implement elements of their proposals. Bidders must demonstrate how their plans will use culture to foster transformational opportunities and improve lives in their communities.

The panel, chaired by television producer Sir Phil Redmond, with deputy chair...