Overview
- Towns will compete for £3.5 million to stage a cultural programme in summer 2028, with applications judged on the town’s story, inclusivity of programming, and deliverability.
- Shortlisted towns will receive £60,000 to develop full bids, with formal applications opening shortly.
- The competition targets small and medium-sized places, with officials expecting entries largely from towns of under roughly 75,000 residents, though the threshold is not absolute.
- The separate UK City of Culture 2029 contest is now open, offering a confirmed £10 million prize, £60,000 for all longlisted bids, and £125,000 for three non-winning shortlisted places.
- The launch came during Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy’s visit to Bradford, with an advisory panel chaired by Sir Phil Redmond and government citing past hosts’ gains in investment, jobs, tourism and local pride.