Oliver Coppard, South Yorkshire mayor, has announced he will host fellow mayors from across the region to discuss the possibility of a Northern Games bid. The idea of a Northern England bid to stage the Olympics and Paralympics in 2040 was first mooted by the Heseltine Institute for the North of England.
The Olympic Games have long been seen as the pinnacle of athletic competition. And according to the International Olympic Committee, digital streaming and downloads have pushed Olympics viewing figures even higher.
This rise in appetite can be traced to this rise in digital content related to the Olympics, which has been able to push the competition to more audiences. Digital transformation is lowering the barrier to entry in engagement, as has been seen in other industries. For example, online casinos have seen a boom alongside other digital industries, with low barrier to entry games like 10p roulette on Betfair being particularly popular.
It’s important to consider the Olympic Games in this context to understand the kind of wide-reaching economic impact a Northern Games could hold
Northern Olympic Bid
Government thinktank, the Heseltine Institute for the North of England, believes it is possible to use the increased popularity of the Olympics to help boost the economy in the North, not from viewing figures but from the investment required to stage an Olympic Games.
The proposal primarily pointed to Liverpool and Manchester hosting the cup. But it did point to several other key cities that could help shoulder the burden and benefit from the post-games economic boost.
Sheffield, along with Nottingham, Leeds, Hull, and Sunderland, was among the cities highlighted.
Backing For The Bid
For the cities to put a bid forward, they need government backing, and any bid will come with competition, even from within. London Mayor Sadiq Khan lobbied Prime Minister Keir Starmer to launch a bid for yet another London Olympics.
But Starmer’s decision to stand down could benefit the northern bid.
Former Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, has emerged as the clear-cut favourite to take over the PM’s role. And, because it seems likely he will do so uncontested, he could be in power by mid-July.
Burnham has already given his backing to the idea of a Northern Games. While it is possible he will fall on the side of the capital once he is prime minister, he is known to be a staunch advocate for devolution.
The potential bid has also gained the backing of athletes.
A group of Olympic and Paralympian athletes posted a joint statement, which said: “We believe that hosting a games in the North of England in 2040 would be a moment of renewal and confidence for the entire United Kingdom. We are proud to add our voices to this vision and to support a Northern Games that would inspire generations to come.”
Olympic and Paralympic stars back Northern Games bid https://t.co/0lu23YVEse
— BBC Sheffield (@BBCSheffield) June 23, 2026
A group of mayors from the northern half of the country have come together to champion the bid further.
South Yorkshire mayor Oliver Coppard is hosting fellow mayors from across the region at the Olympic Legacy Park in Sheffield, which was built using funds from London 2012 to aid urban regeneration across the country. Attendees are expected to discuss how the region can deliver an event in 2040.
