9 Cities Vie for Coveted UK City of Culture 2029 Title
The UK has announced the longlist of cities competing to be named the next City of Culture in 2029. Find out which 9 cities are in the running and what it takes to win this prestigious designation.
The race is on for the UK's next City of Culture, with nine cities vying for the coveted 2029 title. The longlist, announced by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, includes a diverse range of urban hubs from across the country, each hoping to secure the designation that has proven to boost tourism, investment, and civic pride in past winners.
The nine cities on the 2029 longlist are:
- Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon
- Bradford
- Brighton & Hove
- County Durham
- Derby
- Southampton
- Stirling
- Tees Valley
- Wrexham County Borough
The City of Culture title is awarded every four years, with the winning city hosting a year-long program of cultural events and activities. Past winners include Derry-Londonderry in 2013, Hull in 2017, and the current 2025 holder, Bradford.
Winning the prestigious designation brings significant benefits, including a major boost in tourism, new investment, and increased civic pride. For example, Hull saw a 9% rise in visitors and a £3.4 billion economic boost during its 2017 reign as City of Culture.
{{IMAGE_PLACEHOLDER}}The selection process is rigorous, with longlisted cities required to submit detailed bids outlining their cultural assets, plans for the year, and legacy goals. An expert advisory panel will then whittle down the list to a handful of finalists before the ultimate winner is announced in early 2023.
Gavin Barlow, chair of the City of Culture jury, noted that the 2029 longlist
Source: UK Government
