A seven million pound government investment will fund a comprehensive feasibility study into bringing the Olympic and Paralympic Games to the North of England in the 2040s.
A detailed feasibility study into hosting the 2040s Olympic and Paralympic Games across Northern England will go ahead following a seven million pound funding allocation in the Budget.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer confirmed the financial backing for the project, which is scheduled to deliver its findings to the government in 2029.
The study, to be carried out by UK Sport, will assess the practical logistics of hosting the world's largest sporting event across northern communities, alongside examining how a potential bid could deliver transformational regeneration.
Mayor of Hull and East Yorkshire, Luke Campbell MBE, who won Olympic boxing gold for Hull in London in 2012, has been championing the ambition alongside other Northern leaders through 'The Great North' partnership.
Mayor Luke Campbell MBE said:
"Winning gold at London 2012 changed my life. But that journey started as a kid from Hull with a dream. I know what sport can do for your confidence and for the opportunities you believe are possible.
"Imagine a young person growing up in the area getting to see the best athletes in the world compete across the North. That might be the moment they decide to join a club, give a sport a go or aim for something they never thought they could achieve."
The proposal was initially set out by The Great North partnership in February, aiming to draw on existing venues, skills, and sporting strengths across Northern towns and cities while helping to unlock longer-term investment. Since the launch, more than forty Olympians, Paralympians, and leading sporting figures have backed the vision.
Following an initial strategic assessment by UK Sport in May, the new funding will allow for a detailed examination of the costs, infrastructure needs, and long-term benefits.
For Hull and East Yorkshire, local leaders hope a Northern Games could improve sporting opportunities, boost the visitor economy, and enhance transport connections. This ambition reflects the Combined Authority's priorities of fit and healthy communities, better connected places, and more opportunities for local people, ensuring benefits reach smaller towns, rural, and coastal communities.
Mayor Luke Campbell MBE added:
"I'm proud to be working with other Northern mayors and leaders to get this idea taken seriously. It's a huge ambition, so we've got to do it properly. The £7 million is for a study, not a decision to host the Games. We need to understand the costs and make sure the benefits would reach ordinary people."
Treasury documents outline that the seven million pound allocation forms a core component of the government's wider Northern Growth Strategy package, which aims to stimulate regional investment, boost local economies, and foster long-term economic resilience. The broader package includes up to £7.8 million in combined funding, incorporating support for mid-sized business expansion alongside the Olympic feasibility work.
Officials stressed that rigorous assessment is essential before any formal campaign is launched, balancing long-term civic ambition with strict fiscal discipline. HM Treasury emphasised that major infrastructure and sports initiatives are intended to support the government's strategic objective of driving good growth in every postcode.
The British Olympic Association and British Paralympic Association would ultimately be responsible for leading any formal UK bid, which has not yet been agreed. No host venues have been allocated to Hull and East Yorkshire, and no local funding contributions have been confirmed.
Mayor Luke Campbell MBE said:
"For me, the real win wouldn't just be those few weeks of sport. It would be better facilities, more opportunities for young people, improved connections and investment that makes a difference long after the last medal has been won. That's a legacy worth aiming for."
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