SportsTravel

London Mayor Wants 2040 Olympics Bid as Part of Major Sports Strategy

New report reveals major sporting events delivered huge boost to London’s economy

London Mayor Sadiq Khan has floated the idea of the city bidding for the 2040 Olympic and Paralympic Summer Games as part of a major sports event hosting strategy announced as the city revealed six international events generated an estimated $307.5 million USD to the local economy.

London will host this year’s Women’s Rugby World Cup with the final at Twickenham Stadium, which will have a world-record attendance for a single full sided women’s rugby event. The report issued Monday by the mayor’s office also specifically mentioned bringing NBA games back to the city as well as the 2029 World Athletics Championships, a future WWE Wrestlemania and the 2040 Games.

“I would like to see London become the first city to host the Games four times,” Khan told The Times newspaper, later in the story saying “I was in Paris last summer and I saw the transformation of their city. But we could knock it out of the park in relation to the Olympics, using the assets we already have in the aquatics centre, the stadium, the velodrome. And we could have some events outside of London too. … An Olympics in London wouldn’t cost a fortune, but the benefits would be humongous.”

The events featured in the report released Monday were:

• UEFA Champions League Final at Wembley Stadium between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund
• Major League Baseball London Series at the London Stadium featuring the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies
• Formula E London E-Prix at ExCeL London
• London Athletics Meet on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
• Two regular season NFL games at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
• Jacksonville Jaguars regular season NFL game at Wembley Stadium

The 2024 Major Sports Events Impact Report for London says 480,000 fans attended these events in the capital last year, while 202 million global viewers tuned in to watch.

“From the UEFA Champions League Final to the London Athletics Meet, multiple NFL games to the Major League Baseball London Series, 2024 was a fantastic year for London hosting major sporting events,” said Minister for Sport Stephanie Peacock. “2025 proves to be just as momentous. The Government has invested over £8 million in the Women’s Rugby World Cup and we look forward to seeing the final come to Twickenham, further cementing London’s reputation as a world-renowned sporting destination.”

World Athletics, Formula E and NFL are all returning to the capital in the coming months. London will be part of the UK hosting of 2028 European Championship soccer and will hope to play a part in the UK’s bid for the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2035.

“The UK remains a pioneer for the NFL’s global growth ambitions,” said Henry Hodgson, NFL general manager for the UK and Ireland. “Beyond the significant economic impact our games have delivered over the years, we are focused on the social impact that our NFL Foundation UK brings to young people across the country through flag football.”