Manchester City Council has welcomed plans for a £7 million government investment to explore bringing the Olympic and Paralympic Games to the North of England. The proposed Northern Games could create opportunities for communities, businesses and sporting organisations across the region, although a formal bid has not yet been confirmed.
Manchester Welcomes £7 Million Government Backing for Potential Northern Olympic Games
Manchester has welcomed plans for a £7 million government investment to investigate whether the North of England could host a future Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The proposals, outlined on Saturday 24 October 2026, would see the Government work with UK Sport, northern mayors and sporting organisations to assess the feasibility of bringing one of the world's largest sporting events to the region.
Manchester City Council believes the opportunity could be transformative, building on the city's experience of hosting the 2002 Commonwealth Games.
The announcement represents an important step towards exploring a potential bid, although no decision has been made to formally pursue or host the Games.
A potential Olympic Games for the whole North
The ambition is to create an Olympic and Paralympic Games involving cities and communities across northern England, rather than concentrating events in a single location.
Northern mayors and local leaders have expressed support for the idea, arguing that hosting the Games could unlock economic opportunities, encourage investment and inspire greater participation in sport.
Organisers envisage a major sporting event that could involve tens of thousands of people in its delivery, while engaging millions more through cultural programmes, community activities and sporting events.
The Government also wants any future Games to generate benefits across the wider United Kingdom.
Manchester highlights Commonwealth Games legacy
Councillor Garry Bridges, Leader of Manchester City Council, welcomed the prospect of bringing the Olympics and Paralympics to the region.
He highlighted the lasting impact of the 2002 Commonwealth Games, which helped establish Manchester as an internationally recognised sporting destination.
Councillor Bridges said:
"The 2002 Commonwealth Games was a huge moment for our city, acting as a catalyst for our economy boom, encouraging future growth and setting the stage for the development of some of the biggest names in world sport, right here in Manchester."
He said Manchester had demonstrated its ability to deliver major international sporting and cultural events.
The council leader added:
"This bid could be a defining moment for the north and it is a huge signal of confidence that the Government is so committed to sport in our region, and providing the investment needed to get the north's Olympic bid off the ground."
What will the £7 million fund?
The proposed investment would support a detailed feasibility study examining whether a Northern Olympic and Paralympic Games could be delivered successfully.
The assessment is expected to consider potential venues, transport infrastructure, the distribution of events across northern cities and the overall economic costs and benefits.
It would also examine the likelihood of developing a competitive international bid.
The work would involve the Government, UK Sport, northern mayors and the British Olympic and Paralympic Associations.
The study is expected to be formally announced in the Budget on Wednesday 28 October.
Importantly, the £7 million would fund exploratory work, rather than construction of Olympic venues or delivery of the Games themselves.
Opportunities for regeneration and investment
Supporters believe the proposal could encourage improvements to transport, public spaces, sporting facilities and wider infrastructure across the North.
The Government has linked the idea to its Northern Growth Strategy, which aims to support regeneration, housing development and economic opportunities.
The potential Games could also provide opportunities for businesses, volunteers, young athletes and local communities.
However, the full financial implications and benefits would need to be established through the feasibility study.
Building on Britain's sporting legacy
The UK previously hosted the Olympic and Paralympic Games in London in 2012.
The Government is also supporting a series of major international sporting events, including the Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes Grand Départs in 2027 and UEFA EURO 2028.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy welcomed the possibility of another Olympic and Paralympic Games, highlighting Britain's sporting heritage and the achievements of athletes including Keely Hodgkinson, Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill, Hannah Cockroft and Alistair Brownlee.
She said:
"Every corner of the country has the talent, potential and ambition to host an iconic Olympic and Paralympic Games."
What happens next?
The next stage will be the proposed feasibility study, which would establish whether a Northern Games is practical and financially viable.
Any formal bid would require further decisions, funding commitments and support from the relevant sporting authorities.
For Manchester, the announcement offers the possibility of another landmark sporting event, more than two decades after the Commonwealth Games helped reshape the city's international profile.
Source: Manchester City Council, 24 October 2026.
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