Handy for Nandy!

by Michael Weadock, May 2026

It was announced over the weekend that the UK Government has commissioned UK Sport to assess whether the country should bid to host the Olympic & Paralympic Games again sometime in the 2040s. The north of England is the focus of the feasibility study which will examine if the region could deliver the Games whilst also undergoing transformational regeneration and growth.  

Could ‘North of England 2040s’ do what the Northern Powerhouse and its various successor plans couldn’t do? Firstly, it’s great that the UK Government still sees the value of hosting major events and the study will look at costs, benefits and the chances of success. 

So, putting aside cynicism about how we’ve yet to complete HS2 from Birmingham to London and now want to bring something to the country that would require mass transportation links from Hull to Liverpool and from Newcastle to Birmingham, taking in Manchester, Leeds and Sheffield, let’s have some fun and look at what the North of England Olympics Games might look like. It's a handy guide for Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy. I’m also including the Midlands because I think it makes sense for many reasons. 

Birmingham & The West Midlands Hub

Athletics – The Alexander Stadium, Birmingham

Judo, Wrestling, Karate & Taekwondo – NEC Birmingham

Badminton – National Indoor Arena, Birmingham

Artistic Swimming – Aquatics Centre, Sandwell

Shooting – Aston Hall, Birmingham

Fencing – Symphony Hall, Birmingham

Golf – The Belfry, Birmingham

Tennis – The Priory Club, Birmingham

Table Tennis – NEC Arena, Birmingham

North East, North Yorkshire & Humberside Hub

Road Cycling – Redcar & Cleveland

Weightlifting – The Glasshouse, Gateshead

Rugby 7s – St James’ Park, Newcastle

Squash – Hull Arena

Volleyball – Newcastle Arena

Cricket – Riverside Stadium, Durham

Modern Pentathlon – The Community Stadium, York

Surfing – Saltburn 

Football – Stadium of Light, Sunderland & Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough

Leeds & West Yorkshire Hub

Triathlon – Roundhay Park, Leeds

Water Polo – John Charles Centre, Leeds

Hockey – Headingley Stadium, Leeds

Handball – Leeds Arena

Beach Volleyball – Millennium Square, Leeds

Cricket – Headingley Stadium, Leeds

Football – Elland Road, Leeds

Sheffield & South Yorkshire Hub

Diving – Ponds Forge, Sheffield

Snooker – Crucible Theatre, Sheffield

Boxing – Sheffield Arena

Football – Hillsborough, Sheffield

Liverpool & North West Hub

Gymnastics – Liverpool Arena

Equestrian – Aintree Racecourse, Liverpool

Football – Anfield, Liverpool & Hill Dickinson Stadium, Liverpool

Sailing – Pwllheli, North Wales

Mountain Biking – Grizedale, Lake District

BMX Racing – Stanley Park, Liverpool

Marathon Swimming – Albert Dock, Liverpool

Manchester Hub

Ceremonies – Old Trafford, Manchester

Swimming – Aquatic Centre, Manchester

Track Cycling – Velodrome, Manchester

Basketball – Manchester Arena

Football – Old Trafford, Manchester & City of Manchester Stadium

Baseball/Softball – Old Trafford Cricket Ground

Sport Climbing – Albert Square, Manchester

Rhythmic Gymnastics - Bolton Arena

East Midlands Hub

Rowing – National Watersports Centre, Nottingham

Canoeing – National watersports Centre, Nottingham

Archery – Trent Bridge, Nottingham

3x3 Basketball, BMX Freestyle & Skateboarding – Old Market Square, Nottingham

Netball - Nottingham Arena

Both Birmingham & Manchester bid for the Olympic Games before London won the right to stage the Games in 2012. The downside to a North of England bid is that no one city would be designated as the centrepiece of the bid, but the positive of that is by spreading out the events, you will bring the Olympic spirit to many more cities and regions across the country. This would be economically beneficial across a much wider region and significantly spread the risk for any one region trying to take on and stage too much. 

I wouldn’t propose a single Athletes Village, but instead several satellite villages which could then be transformed into affordable housing across many cities. Affordable housing is a key challenge facing Government and this could be part of the solution. 

Transport would be a huge project to take on. But, like housing, it is a real and present issue and by bringing the Olympics to the north of England, there would be a catalyst for starting the much-needed work, and most importantly a deadline to get it finished. 

I’m glad it’s not going to be London again. The capital has had three opportunities already and I do think the IOC, which would never have considered any other UK city but London in the past, do recognise that region-wide bids are probably the way forward.

Lisa Nandy. You know where to find me if you want to save yourself a few quid on consultants!