By Nana Karikari, Senior Global Affairs Correspondent
The British government is officially exploring the possibility of hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games in the 2040s. This move signals a strategic effort to bring the world’s largest sporting event back to the United Kingdom for the fourth time. Officials confirmed they are in “discussions about supporting potential bids” to regain the international spotlight. This initiative marks the first formal exploration of a Summer Games bid since the conclusion of London 2012, as part of a new strategy to make the UK the “go-to destination” for major events over the next two decades.
Assessment of Economic and Social Impact
Government ministers are proceeding with a cautious and data-driven approach to any future application. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport stated that “initial work examining whether the UK could host the Olympic and Paralympic Games for the first time since London 2012 will assess key factors such as potential cost, socio-economic benefit and [the] chance of success.” This framework aims to ensure that any proposal is financially viable and provides long-term value to the public. The focus remains on domestic stability and international competitiveness.
Regional Ambitions Beyond London
While London has hosted the Summer Olympics three times—most recently in 2012—new voices are calling for a shift in geography. London Mayor Sadiq Khan expressed his desire for the capital to bid for the 2040 Games last year. However, the chair of the funding agency UK Sport recently suggested that a bid “has to be an aspiration,” noting that Liverpool and Manchester could serve as co-hosts. In February, a group of political leaders urged the government to ensure any future bid would be based in the North of England, stating there is a “compelling” case for the region to host the event to help rebalance the national economy.
Golfing Elite Targeted for the 2030s
The government’s sporting ambitions extend to the professional golf circuit. Ministers are considering support for bids to host the Ryder Cup and the Solheim Cup during the 2030s. The Ryder Cup features 24 of the best male players from Europe and the United States in a biennial matchplay format. The event has been identified as a “key target” by UK Sport, with the 2035 venue yet to be decided. The Solheim Cup provides a similar stage for the leading female golfers of both continents. These prestigious tournaments were last held in the UK at Gleneagles in 2014 and 2019, respectively.
Expansion of English Golfing Venues
Specific bids are already taking shape for these premier golf events. Bolton is currently bidding to host the 2035 Ryder Cup, among a number of venues to express interest. If this bid succeeds, it would bring the competition to English soil for the first time in more than 30 years. Simultaneously, England Golf has urged the government to underwrite a bid for the Solheim Cup. This would mark the first time the premier women’s international team event is staged in England, building on the momentum of the tournament being held in the Netherlands this year.
New Legislation to Protect Fans and Bids
A new “sporting events framework” has been introduced to strengthen the UK’s position as a host by making the bidding process more “straightforward.” The government plans to look at legislation that will make it a criminal offence to resell tickets for specific major sporting events without authorisation. This policy targets events like Euro 2028 to prevent inflated prices and ticket touting. Officials claim these measures “will make it easier to bid for, secure and deliver major sporting events.” While previous legislation in November outlawed sales at inflated prices, it did not apply to football, making this new specific framework a vital tool for future security.
The Global Race for Future Games
The UK enters a crowded field as it looks toward the 2040 cycles. Los Angeles will host the 2028 Games, followed by Brisbane in 2032. The International Olympic Committee has not yet selected hosts for 2036 and beyond. Competitors for the 2036 Games already include India, Qatar, Turkey, Hungary, Germany, and Chile. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy emphasized that the government aims to “continue attracting the most prestigious events in sport so that people all over the country can enjoy the whole range of economic and social benefits they bring for generations to come.”
The African quest for representation
The UK’s bid enters a global conversation increasingly focused on geographic equity. As nations across Africa, led by preliminary interest from Egypt, signal their own long-
term Olympic ambitions, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) faces continued scrutiny over when the Games will finally arrive on the continent. For African observers, the UK’s pursuit of a fourth Summer Games highlights the intensifying competition and the massive economic benchmarks required to anchor global sporting prestige.
Future Calendar of Major Events
Britain is already preparing for a significant decade of international competition. The UK is currently the sole bidder for the 2035 Women’s World Cup and is preparing to host the Women’s T20 World Cup, European Athletics Championships, and Commonwealth Games this summer. Additionally, England, Scotland, Wales, and the Republic of Ireland will host Euro 2028. “Sport brings our country together like nothing else,” Nandy said, citing the success of the 2012 Games and last summer’s record-breaking Women’s Rugby World Cup as proof of the UK’s ability to show “the best of Britain to the world.”
As the UK navigates this exploratory phase, the ultimate success of these bids will likely depend on balancing the significant upfront costs against the promised long-term socio-economic rewards. While the ambition to host the world’s elite athletes remains high, the government faces the challenge of proving that a fourth Olympics can offer a unique and sustainable legacy in an increasingly competitive global market.
