Northern leaders are stepping up calls for the Olympic and Paralympic Games to come to the North of England, and Lancashire is making it clear it wants a slice of the action.
A coalition of 11 mayors and council leaders, known as The Great North, has written to the Government urging ministers to back a pan‑northern bid for a future Games, likely in 2036 or 2040.
They argue that hosting the Olympics across cities and towns from Liverpool to Newcastle would be a “once‑in‑a‑generation opportunity” to rebalance the economy, mirror the regeneration seen in East London after 2012, and show the world that the North is more than a “post‑industrial wasteland”.
With the sporting strength of the North, boasting the nation's most successful football clubs, and a proven pedigree in past Games - at London 2012, Yorkshire would have finished 12th in the medals table - they argue it's about time a major event was brought to the region.
Lancashire County Council leader Cllr Stephen Atkinson, who also chairs Lancashire Combined County Authority, is one of the leaders who issued the statement, and says the county is ready to play its part.
He said: “As mayors and leaders of The Great North, we are united in our view that the North of England is ready to play a central role in hosting a future Olympic and Paralympic Games.
"A Northern‑based Olympic Games would be a once‑in‑a‑generation opportunity, bringing great opportunities and benefits to the region.
"Here in Lancashire, we have a proud history of sporting excellence, with many Olympians proudly flying the Red Rose flag at previous Games.
"We are also keen to support major sporting events, typified by next year's Tour de France Grand Depart, which I am proud to say will be making its way through the county.”
The men’s Tour de France Grand Depart will race through Lancashire in July 2027, with around 80 miles of stage two taking in Morecambe, Lancaster, the Forest of Bowland, Clitheroe, Blackburn, Chorley and West Lancashire before heading to Liverpool.
County council leaders say that involvement, and the global TV exposure it brings, shows the county can handle the logistics and security demands of a huge international sporting event.
Potential Lancashire venues and what is needed
While any Olympic bid is still in the talks stage, there is already speculation about which Lancashire venues could feature, and how much fresh investment would be required.
The county’s football grounds, including Ewood Park in Blackburn, Turf Moor in Burnley and Bloomfield Road in Blackpool, would be obvious candidates for Olympic football group games or warm‑up fixtures, though would need upgrades to meet the very latest broadcast, accessibility and security standards.
Temporary stands, enhanced media facilities and improved transport links could all be part of that discussion.
Blackpool’s existing event infrastructure, from the Winter Gardens to the Blackpool Tower Ballroom, could play host to indoor sports such as boxing, badminton, fencing or table tennis.
The seafront and promenade could lend themselves to beach volleyball, triathlon or marathon routes.
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Lancashire’s countryside, including the Trough of Bowland and West Pennine Moors, could provide dramatic backdrops for the road cycling, while the county boasts some of England's best golf courses, including Royal Lytham St Annes, St Annes Old Links and Pleasington.
Leaders behind The Great North concept stress that many major stadiums and arenas across the wider North, such as those in Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool and Newcastle, already exist, meaning money could be focused on transport, housing and long‑term regeneration rather than building multiple venues from scratch.
For Lancashire, that could mean tying any Olympic involvement into upgrades of rail links, active travel routes and town‑centre regeneration schemes, ensuring that if the Rings do come north, they leave more than just memories and medals behind.
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