The government has launched the first ever UK Town of Culture competition
With 11 weeks to apply, the competition is open to small, medium and large towns, with the winner delivering a vibrant cultural programme. Showcasing towns’ local visions and voices - through new arts venues, performances, workshops and more - this competition brings local investment, creates a lasting sense of pride in towns, and opens doors to the arts for everyone.
Towns can submit their Expressions of Interest now. Sir Phil Redmond will lead an expert panel, judging towns on the way they’ll tell their unique story, how they’ll bring everyone in a community together, and how towns will deliver on their vision. The strongest bids will progress to a shortlist, with each shortlisted town receiving £60,000 to help deliver their full bids for the competition.
Three finalists - one small, one medium, one large town - will be chosen. The winner will be crowned UK Town of Culture 2028 and receive a £3 million prize. The two runners-up will each receive £250,000 to deliver elements of their bid, from refreshed community infrastructure to electric music festivals.
The deadline for Expressions of Interest for UK Town of Culture 2028 is 31 March 2026, with the shortlist of towns expected to be announced this Spring.
For more information on how to bid for the UK Town of Culture 2028 title, please go to: UK Town of Culture 2028 Expression of Interest
Also see the Town of Culture Toolkit, which has a menu of ways to get involved - from putting a bid together to promoting the competition online, and the social video with famous faces talking about the importance of towns and local places.
