Blackpool, Milton Keynes, Sheffield and Wrexham Shortlisted for UK City of Culture 2029
Source reports published 22 Oct 2026, 9:02 am – 3:05 pm AEST
Four cities – Blackpool, Milton Keynes, Sheffield and Wrexham – have been shortlisted to compete for the title of UK City of Culture 2029. Each shortlisted city will receive £125,000 to develop their bids and a potential £10 million prize.
What happened
- Blackpool, Milton Keynes, Sheffield and Wrexham have been selected as finalists in the UK City of Culture 2029 competition.
- The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) announced that each of the four cities will receive at least £125,000 to advance their bids.
- The competition, awarded every four years, was last held by Bradford.
- The selection was made by the Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy and the expert advisory panel, chaired by Sir Phil Redmond.
- Sir Phil Redmond described the selection as a ‘hard choice’ and highlighted the variety and strength of creative ambition across the UK.
- The shortlisted cities are expected to use the opportunity to boost growth, opportunities, and pride within their communities.
- Previous winners, such as Derry, Londonderry and Hull, have benefited from significant investment following their success.
Original reporting
- BBC: UK City of Culture: Blackpool, Milton Keynes, Sheffield and Wrexham shortlisted for 2029
2026-10-21T23:02:37.980000+00:00 - GB News: Final shortlist for UK City of Culture 2029 revealed
2026-10-22T05:05:19+00:00