Liverpool will once again welcome the world’s top gymnasts after British Gymnastics secured the rights to host the 2030 Artistic Gymnastics World Championships, bringing one of the sport’s
premier events back to the UK.
The championships will take place at the M&S Bank Arena and are expected to attract more than 400 athletes from 80 nations, with competitions broadcast to audiences in over 50 countries. The event will also mark the first qualification opportunity for the 2032 Olympic Games in Brisbane.
The successful bid was led by British Gymnastics in partnership with UK Sport and Liverpool City Council, with support from Liverpool Experience Campus, the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and Liverpool Accommodation BID.
Liverpool has become a key destination for gymnastics in Britain, having hosted the 2022 World Championships as well as the British Championships every year since 2011. The 2022 edition was widely praised by athletes and supporters and helped strengthen the city’s reputation for staging major international sporting events.
Organisers say the 2030 championships will build on that legacy by promoting wider participation in gymnastics and encouraging healthier lifestyles, particularly among young people and women. The sport remains one of the most popular for girls and young women in the UK, valued for developing physical skills alongside resilience, teamwork and confidence.
Beyond the sporting spectacle, the championships are also expected to deliver a major economic boost. A feasibility study linked to the bid estimates the event could generate more than £8 million for the regional economy, while also increasing tourism and creating long-term social benefits for local communities.
The return of the championships further reinforces the UK’s standing as a leading nation in world gymnastics and positions Liverpool at the centre of the sport’s international calendar once again.
World Gymnastics, President Morinari Watanabe added: “It will be a pleasureto return to Liverpool for the 2030 Artistic World Championships. The city holds so many fond memories from previous editions and has a long history of hosting exceptional events. Its passion and the incredible support of the fans make it a special place for us. Liverpool has long been linked to progress. In the same spirit, I hope the 2030 World Championships will bring fresh energy to gymnastics.”
Olympian and 2022 Floor World Champion, Jessica Gadirova said: “Bringing the World Championships back to Liverpool is amazing news. The 2022 Championships were incredible for me personally, for the British teams and for gymnastics. Liverpool feels like home for the GB team, and the support of that home crowd was the most inspiring and motivational environment I’ve ever competed in.
"To now have another opportunity for the world-wide gymnastics community to come together on such a huge scale again in Liverpool is hugely exciting for everyone who loves our sport. The impact a World Championships has on uniting everyone and inspiring the next generation is massive, it’s going to be an incredible event.”
Esther Britten, Head of Events and External Affairs at UK Sport: “This is a hugely exciting moment for gymnastics in the UK. Bringing the World Championships back to Liverpool reflects the strength of the sport across the country, as well as the UK’s proven ability to deliver world-class sporting events that create unforgettable experiences for athletes, fans and local communities.
“We saw first hand in 2022 the incredible impact an event like this can have, from packed arenas and a brilliant atmosphere to inspiring young people to try gymnastics for the first time. We’re proud to be part of bringing the championships back to Liverpool in 2030 and to build on that success on an even bigger scale.”
British Gymnastics, CEO, Sarah Powell: “Everyone at British Gymnastics is delighted, and immensely proud, that Liverpool has been selected by World Gymnastics to host the 2030 Artistic Gymnastics World Championships. Bringing the world’s best gymnasts back to the city will create an incredible atmosphere for gymnasts, fans and communities alike, while allowing us to support our British stars on home soil and inspire the next generation up close.
“Gymnastics has a unique power to bring people together, shape lives, and enrich and connect communities. We know from previous major events in Liverpool the lasting impact the sport can have, and we hope hosting the Championships once again will leave a meaningful legacy across the city and throughout the UK, ensuring the benefits of gymnastics are felt far beyond the competition arena, helping to support happier, healthier lives”
Councillor Harry Doyle, Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Culture: “We are incredibly excited to be bringing the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships to Liverpool once again in what will be one of the biggest global sporting events to be held in the UK that year.
“The World Gymnastics Championships 2022 was, as always, a fine example of how we do world-class events in this city and it yet again showcased our unique ability to blend elite sport with culture and community.
“The event welcomed over 35,000 spectators from around the world and brought £5.6 million to our local economy, leaving a lasting impact long after the competition ended.
“Hosting the event again in 2030 provides a fantastic opportunity to build on this legacy, as well as to inspire and engage the next generation to lead healthier, happier lives through gymnastics.” Photo by Ian Dodds, Wikimedia commons.
