Commiserations to the City of Portsmouth and everyone who worked on the bid, as news it missed the City of Culture 2029 shortlist surfaces.
Blackpool, Milton Keynes, Sheffield and Wrexham have been shortlisted to become the UK’s City of Culture in 2029.
Portsmouth, the nearest contender to the Island, was one of nine longlisted entries but has not made the final four.
The winner will be announced in May. It will be the fifth holder of the title, following Derry-Londonderry, Hull, Coventry and Bradford.
What the four cities get
A different place takes the title every four years. Each shortlisted city will now receive at least £125,000 from the government to do further work on its bid.
The eventual winner gets £10m to deliver a year of cultural events and activities, drawing on the winner’s local strengths and stories.
Sandown’s bid
Closer to home, Sandown is one of 15 shortlisted contenders for UK Town of Culture 2028.
The Tide Turners team, which is behind the Sandown bid, held a day of culture yesterday (21st October 2026).
Residents were encouraged to go along and share their hopes and dreams for 2028.
And the clock is running, because Sandown has until the end of November to submit its final bid.
The winning town receives £3m for cultural activities in 2028. Two runners-up will receive £250,000.
Decision expected around February or March 2027.
