Portsmouth City of Culture 2029 bid: Latest odds revealed in race for title as city competes with Wrexham, Plymouth, Ipswich, Blackpool and Swindon

Portsmouth is in the running for the title, having officially thrown its hat into the ring at the beginning of last month.

The bid, led by Portsmouth Creates, is centred around making new opportunities for young people, covering everything from skills and apprenticeships to creativity, confidence and clearer routes into long-term employment.

When the official Expression of Interest was submitted, Portsmouth Creates CEO Gemma Nichols said: “Submitting our City of Culture bid is a turning point for Portsmouth. With our centenary celebrations underway, and initiatives such as the Apprenticeship Bus bringing the community together, we are sending a clear signal to the rest of the country about the city we are becoming.”

However, the latest odds are not that promising for our city. Portsmouth is ranked seventh, according to bookmaker aggregate site OLBG.

Out in front is Wrexham, currently enjoying a high international profile due to the rise of its football team after an injection of film star financial backing and a Netflix documentary. Just as Wrexham bested Pompey on the football pitch last month, so does the Welsh city’s bid look like it will defeat the south coast as Wrexham has been named the favourite at odds of 1/2.

Portsmouth comes in sixth place, with the bookies giving 6/1.

Full list of City of Culture 2029 odds

• Wrexham 1/2
• Plymouth 6/4
• Ipswich 2/1
• Blackpool 2/1
• Peterborough 3/1
• Bristol 4/1
• Swindon 5/1
• Portsmouth 6/1
• Exeter 6/1

Jake Ashton, current affairs editor at OLBG.com, said: “Wrexham’s 1/2 price reflects strong narrative momentum. The city has visibility, regeneration energy and a compelling story to tell. But cultural bids are complex and Plymouth at 6/4 suggests the race is far from over.