Nine destinations across the UK have been officially longlisted in the race to become the UK City of Culture for 2029, marking the next phase of one of the country’s most influential cultural

competitions.

The shortlisted locations — Blackpool, Inverness (representing the Highland area), Ipswich, Middlesbrough, Milton Keynes, Portsmouth, Sheffield, Swindon, and Wrexham — will each receive £60,000 to develop detailed proposals for the prestigious title.

The UK City of Culture programme has become a powerful driver of regeneration, with previous winners benefiting from significant economic investment, increased tourism, and job creation. Cities such as Coventry and Hull have seen long-term cultural and economic gains after hosting the title year.

The announcement comes amid growing interest in culture-led development across the country. More than 230 towns have already registered interest in a newly launched UK Town of Culture competition, which aims to extend similar opportunities to smaller communities. The winning town will host a cultural programme in 2028.

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said the competitions are designed to address regional inequality and celebrate the diversity of cultural life across Britain. She encouraged towns and cities alike to use the platform to showcase their identity, heritage, and creative strengths.

The longlisting was determined by an independent advisory panel chaired by Phil Redmond, alongside deputy chair Claire McColgan and other experts from across the UK. The panel evaluated submissions based on their potential to deliver transformative cultural impact and community engagement.

For the first time, the winner of the UK City of Culture 2029 will receive a confirmed £10 million funding package to deliver a year-long programme of events. Additionally, three shortlisted runners-up will each receive £125,000 to support elements of their cultural plans.

The final winner will be announced later this year, taking over from Bradford, which currently holds the title for 2025. Bradford’s programme has already demonstrated the scale of impact possible, hosting thousands of events and engaging millions of visitors and residents alike.

As the competition intensifies, the nine contenders now face the challenge of presenting bold, inclusive visions that harness culture as a catalyst for lasting change in their communities.

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”.

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”. Photo by Stinglehammer, Wikimedia commons.