Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has voiced his ambition for the capital to host the 2040 Olympic Games, aiming to make London “the sporting capital of the world”.
His comments follow the release of a City Hall report revealing the economic value of major sporting events, which generated £230 million last year alone.
London Aims to Be First City to Host Olympics Four Times
Khan hopes to make London the first city in history to stage the Olympic Games four times, following previous events in 1908, 1948, and the landmark 2012 Games.
He is also throwing his support behind a bid to host the World Athletics Championships in 2029, which could bring an estimated £400 million boost to the city’s economy.
Speaking to The Times, Khan said: “We could absolutely knock it out of the park when it comes to the Olympics, using our world-class infrastructure like the Aquatics Centre, the Stadium, and the Velodrome.”
He added that staging some events outside the capital could allow London to act as a hub while spreading the benefits more widely across the UK.
2040 Bid Pitched as Low-Cost, High-Impact
Khan emphasised that a London 2040 Olympics would not require heavy spending on new venues thanks to existing Olympic infrastructure, making the bid both cost-effective and impactful.
“An Olympics in London wouldn’t cost a fortune, but the benefits would be humongous,” he said, pointing to the potential for inspiring a new generation of athletes, including “the future Mo Farahs and Paula Radcliffes”.
American Sports Bring Millions to London
The 2024 Major Sports Events Impact Report also highlighted the significant impact of hosting American sports in the capital.
Since 2007, NFL and MLB fixtures have drawn over three million fans to London, with spectator spending exceeding £600 million.
The capital’s sporting calendar remains strong, with London set to host the Women’s Rugby World Cup final this year.
Wembley Stadium is also confirmed as a key venue for Euro 2028, while the UK is the sole bidder for the 2035 Women’s World Cup.
Khan’s Vision: London as a Global Sports Powerhouse
“My ambition has always been for London to be the global sporting capital,” Khan said. “We’re already home to boxing, NFL, Major League Baseball, and we’re in talks with the NBA to bring professional basketball to the city.”
The mayor sees sport not just as entertainment, but as a powerful economic driver and cultural asset.
With global events like the Olympics, World Athletics Championships, and high-profile American matches on the agenda, London is poised to solidify its place on the world sporting stage.
