UK City of Culture 2025 Betting Odds: Bradford now 11/8 FAVOURITES from 13/2 after shortlist decided!

Bradford are now the favourites for the City of Culture award

Yorkshire city Bradford is now the favourite to be the 2025 UK City of Culture. 

Back in February, Bradford were 13/2 outsiders to win the prestigious award with bookies, but all has changed and they're now the 11/8 favourites to win.

The four place shortlist was originally 20 different cities who had registered bids, but an expert panel cut 16 out to leave what we have now. 

2025 UK City of Culture	Odds	Probability
Bradford	11/8	42.1%
Southampton	15/8	34.8%
Wrexham	4/1	20%
County Durham	9/2	18.2%

The winner of the award will be announced at some point in May, with the ceremony set to take place in current City of Culture Coventry. 

The current bookmaker odds give favourites Bradford a 42.1% chance of winning the award, with Southampton close behind with a 34.8% chance.

Shanaz Gulzar, chair of Bradford's bid, said it is the "UK's youngest and most diverse city" and has the "most to gain" out of all the bids. 

Wrexham were touted for the award at an earlier stage but remain 4/1 in the market

Wrexham were joint favourites for the award back in October, but as the months have gone by there are cities that have been backed in in the betting market.

Wrexham's bid came after a rule change meant that non cities could compete for the award, with the full name of their bid down as Wrexham County Borough. 

The town has come on leaps and bounds over the last few years, with the takeover of their football team by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney putting the area on the map.

UK City of Culture is a UK-wide programme, developed by DCMS Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport) in consultation with the devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. 

The competition process to select the UK City of Culture is managed by the UK Government.

Coventry is the reigning UK City of Culture

Coventry is the current City of Culture after being awarded the accolade back in December of 2017.

According to Arts Minister John Glen, the win was "an incredible opportunity for Coventry to boost investment in the local economy, grow tourism and put arts and culture centre stage".

Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, Coventry's reign began in May 2021 and was boosted by more than £15.5m in government support. 

A further £100m has been raised to help further the City of Culture's year and Art events among the City will strengthen this even more.