Liverpool will host the UK’s first Inclusive Sport and Culture Festival from 2 to 8 May 2027, creating a groundbreaking event that unites elite Paralympic sport with a world-class, disabled-led arts and culture programme.
The week-long celebration will occupy the city’s waterfront, spanning the M&S Bank Arena, the Exhibition Centre at the Liverpool Experience Campus, Salthouse Dock, Albert Dock, and the Pier Head, transforming these areas into a vibrant hub for elite performance and creativity.
Owned by UK Sport, the concept features four international sports competitions delivered in partnership with Boccia UK, UK Athletics, Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby, and Paddle UK.
Simultaneously, Arts Council England has commissioned the cultural schedule, which will be managed by Culture Liverpool and led by deaf, neurodivergent, and disabled artists.
At the centre of the festivities, a dedicated Athletes’ and Artists’ Village will serve as a shared community space for competitors, creators, and spectators.
The sporting line-up includes a fast-paced Wheelchair Rugby tournament at the M&S Bank Arena from 2 to 7 May, featuring six international teams.
The Exhibition Centre will host the highly tactical World Boccia Cup from 3 to 7 May, a crucial event for Paralympic qualification.
Waterfront spectators can watch free Paracanoe racing at Salthouse Dock on 7 and 8 May, followed by an open-air Para Athletics showcase at the Pier Head on Saturday 8 May.
The event is backed by a £2.3m contribution from the National Lottery alongside a £1m grant from Arts Council England.
For more information, updates can be found on the official event platform here.
Local and National Leaders Praise Strategic Collaboration on the Merseyside Waterfront
The landmark project brings together major sporting bodies and cultural institutions to establish a progressive national model for representation.
Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Culture, Councillor Harry Doyle, said:
“This is an innovative, ground-breaking concept and it’s fantastic to see plans progress and the vision start to come to life.
“We are well-known for our track record of delivering world-class events in Liverpool, and we are set to make history once again with this festival as the first event of its kind in the UK.
“The community we are creating as part of Inclusive Sport and Culture Festival will celebrate excellence, identity, and connection – bringing together athletes, artists, and audiences, in a truly accessible and inclusive way.
“Together with our partners, we want to redefine how sport and culture can be experienced collectively and amplify visibility and opportunities for people with disabilities throughout our community and beyond.”
Festival to Serve as Vital Preparation for the LA 2028 Paralympic Games
The timing of the tournament offers a high-profile competitive platform for athletes building toward the next international cycle.
Esther Britten, Head of Events and External Affairs at UK Sport, stated:
“We’re proud to be bringing this new festival to Liverpool, creating a unique multi-sport platform for world-class Paralympic sport and a bold, disabled-led cultural programme.
“Providing more competitive opportunities for Paralympic athletes is a key priority for us, and this event has been designed to support athletes on the road to LA 2028, while showcasing the depth of talent this country has to offer.”
Esther Britten, Head of Events and External Affairs at UK Sport: said:
“We’re proud to be bringing this new festival to Liverpool, creating a unique multi-sport platform for world-class Paralympic sport and a bold, disabled-led cultural programme.
“Providing more competitive opportunities for Paralympic athletes is a key priority for us, and this event has been designed to support athletes on the road to LA 2028, while showcasing the depth of talent this country has to offer.
“We’re especially excited to be working alongside Arts Council England for the first time, bringing sport and culture together to celebrate excellence, challenge perceptions and open up new opportunities.
“Liverpool is a city known for its energy and creativity, and this event, made possible thanks to National Lottery funding, will leave a lasting impact on how inclusive sport and culture are experienced across the UK.”
Darren Henley, Chief Executive, Arts Council England said:
“Our country is home to brilliant, awe-inspiring world-beating disabled artists and athletes.
“This major investment will shine a light on their creative and sporting excellence, boosting national pride and inspiring the next generation of outstanding performers, whether that’s in the arts or in sport.”
READ MORE: Global Pop Icon Donny Osmond Scheduled for M&S Bank Arena Performance on 2027 UK Tour
