UK government discusses potential bids to host 2040s Olympic Games
The UK government has entered preliminary discussions to support potential bids for hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games in the 2040s.
Ministers confirmed that initial work is under way to examine whether the nation could stage the global sporting spectacle for the first time since London 2012.
“Initial work examining whether the UK could host the Games… will assess key factors such as potential cost, socio-economic benefit and the chance of success,” the government stated.
Alongside the multi-sport event, lawmakers are also considering whether to back proposals to stage golf’s prestigious Ryder Cup and Solheim Cup during the 2030s.
Momentum builds for regional hosts
Recent months have seen growing momentum behind a possible attempt to bring the summer showpiece back to British soil for a fourth time.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan expressed his desire last year for the capital city to launch a campaign for the 2040 edition.
However, the chair of funding agency UK Sport recently suggested that northern cities such as Liverpool and Manchester could serve as more suitable co-hosts.
A coalition of political leaders urged Westminster in February to ensure any future proposals are anchored in the north of England to maximise regional investment.
Future Olympic landscape and golf aspirations
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has already awarded the 2028 and 2032 Games to Los Angeles and Brisbane respectively, but the 2036 slot remains officially undecided.
Meanwhile, the push for top-tier golf tournaments continues with Bolton launching a campaign to host the biennial Ryder Cup in 2035.
If the Lancashire town is successful, it would mark the first time in over three decades that the trans-Atlantic men’s matchplay competition is held in England.
England Golf has similarly urged ministers to underwrite an attempt to bring the Solheim Cup, featuring the premier female golfers from Europe and the United States, to the country.
Cracking down on ticket touts
To strengthen these prospective campaigns, a new sporting events framework will seek to make the unauthorised resale of tickets a criminal offence.
Officials claim this legislative update will make it significantly easier to secure and deliver major spectacles like the upcoming Euro 2028 tournament.
The United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland are currently preparing to co-host the European Championship, while the UK is also the sole remaining bidder for the 2035 Women’s World Cup.
