Liverpool is set to transform its historic waterfront into a hub of sport, art, and creativity with a pioneering inclusive festival in May 2027. The week-long event will
bring together international athletes and artists, celebrating unity, diversity, and innovation in sport and culture.
The festival, delivered by UKE, a new independent organisation dedicated to hosting major international sporting events in the UK, builds on the original para sport concept outlined in UK Sport’s Making Live Sport Matter strategy. The initiative aims to showcase elite sporting competition, drive performance benefits, and create lasting social impact for Liverpool and its communities.
In partnership with Arts Council England, the festival will feature exceptional work by leading disabled and neurodivergent artists, integrating creativity directly into the heart of the sporting experience. The city’s iconic venues—including M&S Bank Arena, Exhibition Centre Liverpool, and the Pier Head—will provide a striking backdrop for the celebrations.
The festival programme includes four international sport competitions ahead of the LA 2028 Paralympic Games, alongside a dynamic cultural programme. Deaf, disabled, and neurodivergent artists will lead participatory events, performances, exhibitions, and collaborative experiences that showcase talent, creativity, and diverse perspectives.
Recruitment is now open for a specialist Stakeholder Board to oversee the strategic delivery of the festival. The board will feature representatives from Liverpool City Council, UK Sport, Arts Council England, and Paralympics GB, as well as independent members, including an experienced para sport athlete, a disabled artist, and an independent chair.
Additionally, a Creative Producer will be appointed to lead the artistic direction of the cultural programme. The successful candidate will sit on the stakeholder board, shaping a bold, inclusive, and disability-led experience that intersects sport and culture while driving long-term social impact and representation for the disabled community.
The festival is supported by funding from UK Sport, Arts Council England, Liverpool City Council, and the Liverpool Accommodation Bid, signalling a major step forward in Liverpool’s commitment to inclusive sport and cultural excellence.