London mayor warns against northern England Olympic bid as ‘missed opportunity’
The mayor argues that excluding the capital from a 2040s Olympic bid undermines sustainability and economic potential, while ministers in the north push for the Games to drive regional regeneration.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has formally criticised proposals for the north of England to bid for the 2040s Olympic Games, arguing that excluding the capital from any future campaign would represent a significant missed opportunity. Khan contends that a UK-wide bid, which utilises London’s existing world-class infrastructure, would deliver a more sustainable event and unlock substantial economic growth across the country.
The mayor’s intervention follows a government-commissioned strategic assessment by UK Sport to evaluate the feasibility of a northern bid. The assessment is tasked with examining the costs, the socioeconomic benefits to the north, and the bid’s likelihood of success. If successful, the Games would mark the first time the Olympic and Paralympic events are hosted in Britain since London 2012.
A spokesperson for Khan stated that London is the “sporting capital of the world” and that the mayor is committed to ensuring the capital is part of any future Olympic and Paralympic Games. The spokesperson emphasised that using assets such as the publicly owned London Stadium would help deliver the “greenest and most sustainable Games” while maximising economic benefits for London and the wider UK.
Conversely, the potential northern bid has received strong backing from senior ministers whose constituencies are located in the region. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy and Chancellor Rachel Reeves have welcomed the UK Sport assessment, viewing it as a catalyst for regional development. Nandy argued that the north has long been told the Olympics is too big to be hosted there, but stated it is now time to demonstrate what the region can offer the world.
Reeves highlighted Britain’s global sporting prowess and expressed determination to capitalise on it to strengthen the economy. She pointed to stadium regeneration plans, such as those for Elland Road in Leeds, as examples of how the Games could deliver new homes, business opportunities, and public spaces, thereby boosting the northern growth corridor.
The government has also introduced legislative and advisory measures to support major sporting events. This includes a sporting events bill tabled in parliament to streamline the bidding process, and the appointment of Lord McConnell, a former Scottish first minister with experience in securing the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games, as a ministerial adviser on soft power and major events.
The next Summer Olympic Games are scheduled to be hosted by Los Angeles in July 2028. Khan’s predecessor as London Mayor, Boris Johnson, was in office during the London 2012 Games, which served as the last iteration of the Olympics in Britain.