Portsmouth long-listed to become City of Culture
It’s one of nine places in the running, each receiving 60 thousand pounds to develop their bid
Last updated 18th Mar 2026
Portsmouth's been long-listed in its bid to become the City of Culture 2029.
It’s one of nine places in the running, each receiving 60 thousand pounds to develop their bid.
Previous hosts attracted millions of pounds in additional investment and thousands of visitors to their area, as well as generating new jobs.
Portsmouth, Milton Keynes, Sheffield and Blackpool have been named among the final candidates to be the UK City of Culture in 2029.
They are joined by Inverness-Highland, Ipswich, Middlesbrough, Swindon and Wrexham on the longlist to follow Bradford in 2025.
For the first time, the winner will receive a prize of £10 million to deliver a year of cultural activities, with three others collecting £125,000 for elements of their bid.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said the competition – and the first Town of Culture in 2028 – “recognise the enormous contributions made by communities all over the UK who are all part of the story of who we are as a nation”.
The longlist was decided by an independent panel chaired by Brookside, Grange Hill and Hollyoaks creator Sir Phil Redmond.
He said the competition used culture as a “creative catalyst for change, raising awareness and changing perceptions”.
“Derry-Londonderry, Hull, Coventry and, more recently, Bradford, have all demonstrated the quality and depth of cultural activity embedded across the UK, as well as the benefits of simply taking part,” he said.
“The competition brings people together, to talk to each other rather than at each other, sharing commonality and tolerating difference. Above all, allowing places to demonstrate their own pride in their places.”
More than 230 towns have registered an interest in bidding to be the UK’s first Town of Culture and Ms Nandy urged more to enter before the deadline at the end of March.
“It’s a chance to show the country what makes them unique and shine a spotlight on their cultural offer, enriching the lives of local people,” she said.