UK City of Culture Winner Odds: Which City Can Be In the Spotlight in 2025?

By: Eniko

Posted: October 10, 2021

Updated: October 10, 2021

8 cities have been longlisted in the UK City of Culture 2025 contest
Remaining participants include Southampton and Wrexham County Borough
The prize will be awarded for the fourth time, Coventry hold the title this year

8 cities have been listed for the UK City of Culture 2025 title including Southampton and Derby. But even areas like Cornwall and County Durham can win the title which can bring lots of visitors from the UK and abroad. Let’s see which candidate is the favorite in the UK City of Culture winner odds. The idea of a UK City of Culture prize was born in 2009 by then Culture Secretary Andy Burnham. The first award was given to the pair of Derry/Londonderry in 2013. Then the city of Hull won it in 2017 while the current UK City of Culture in Coventry. For the first time, all the listed applicants will receive a £40,000 worth of investment to support their proposal. No wonder that a record 20 cities and regions applied for the 2025 title with the longlist of eight candidates being announced today. Including the cities of Stirling and Bradford and the areas of Wrexham and Cornwall. Even though the winner will be only known to us next year, we can already make a bet on the final result on a few booking sites.

UK City of Culture Winner Odds Favor Southampton, Wrexham, and Stirling

Southampton is a great city with a huge port, two universities, a theatre, and a fine art gallery based in the city’s Cultural Quarter. Other places of interest include God’s House of Tower which is the oldest building in the city. It was built in 1189 and was named after the God’s House Hospital nearby. The former archeology museum now operates as an art and heritage venue. Another beautiful building is the Tudor House and Garden which was Southampton’s first museum. So plenty to look and see in the famous port city on England’s south coast. With online gambling sites in the UK mentioning Southampton as one of the top favorites.

Another favorite in the UK City of Culture winner odds is Stirling. Famous for its medieval castle it is the only Scottish contestant in the long list, so its victory might have symbolic meaning as well. The city also has several great cultural venues like the Smith Art Gallery and Museum, the Macrobert Arts Centre, and the Albert Halls. It has hosted the National Mod a couple of times, a Scottish festival focusing on the Gaelic culture. Wrexham County Borough has the same odds, 4.50 to win the competition. The only listed applicant from Wales has the World Heritage site of Pontcysyllte Aqueduct which is the highest canal aqueduct in the world. We can also find one of the world’s oldest football clubs, the Wrexham FC in the city.

Other Longlisted Cities and Areas

Derby is also in the longlisted cities which could follow the current winner, Coventry’s steps in 2025. The county town of Derby only became a city in 2011 but it goes back to a long history. In its most famous attractions, we can find the Derby Cathedral, the Derby Gaol, and the Pickford’s House Museum. On the cultural site, the Derby Museum and Art Gallery, the Grand Theatre, and QUAD center are the most important. The city also holds a book festival and a street art festival in the autumn. It has the odds of 7.00 to win the title just like the city of Bradford.

Bradford would love to develop local talent with its two new programs, called The Leap and the Bradford Producing Hub. And support already existing projects like the Darley Street Market, and the National Science and Media Museum’s new gallery. While the area of Cornwall has the smallest odds on online sportsbooks in the UK to win the contest. In spite of its beauty and amazing landscape. And involved global brands such as the Eden Project and the Falmouth University.