UK Eyes Olympic Return As Government Explores 2040s Bid

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has confirmed that it is exploring the possibility of bringing the Olympic and Paralympic Games back to Britain in the 2040s.

Officials say preliminary discussions are under way to assess the feasibility of a bid, which would mark the UK’s first time hosting since the London 2012 Olympics.

The government is evaluating key considerations including cost, economic impact and the likelihood of success, as part of a broader ambition to position the UK as a leading destination for global sporting events.

Momentum has been building in recent months, with Sadiq Khan publicly backing a London bid for 2040. Meanwhile, alternative proposals have emerged suggesting a northern-hosted Games involving cities such as Liverpool and Manchester.

The International Olympic Committee has yet to allocate hosts beyond the 2032 Games in Brisbane, leaving the door open for future bids.

Alongside Olympic ambitions, the government is also considering support for hosting golf’s Ryder Cup and Solheim Cup in the 2030s, as well as introducing tougher laws against ticket touting.

Proposals under a new sporting events framework could criminalise the unauthorised resale of tickets, with the aim of protecting fans and strengthening the UK’s ability to secure major tournaments.

With events such as Euro 2028 and a potential 2035 Women’s World Cup already on the horizon, Britain appears determined to reinforce its status on the global sporting stage.