As 2026 begins, we hope the year has started positively and that there was an opportunity to pause and rest over the festive period.
There is a great deal of positive news to share as the city enters a significant year of reflection and ambition.
Planning permission has now been granted for the redevelopment of Leeds United Football Club’s Elland Road Stadium, increasing capacity to 53,000. This has been a major collaborative effort across council and partner teams, following the Club’s application process throughout 2025. Beyond improving the matchday experience and reducing the season ticket waiting list, the expansion is forecast to generate around £29 million per year for the Leeds City Region economy, supporting jobs, local businesses and long-term investment. Enabling works are due to begin imminently, with major construction scheduled to follow the end of the current season. Further detail is available via the Club’s press release.
Another landmark announcement for the city is that Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift will be coming to Leeds in 2027. On 30 July 2027, the race will start from The Headrow, the same location that hosted the men’s Grand Départ in 2014. Leeds will become the first place outside mainland Europe to host the opening stage of both the men’s and women’s Tour de France events. More information about the announcement is available online, with further details of the route through Leeds expected in spring this year. The event organisers have also published an FAQ on the Le Tour GB website, alongside mailing lists that people can subscribe to for updates.
Many partners will have attended the State of the City 2025 event held in December, which focused on putting the Leeds Ambitions into practice. The event brought together organisations from across the city to share ideas and explore collective action around the four Ambitions. A particularly powerful moment came from children and young people, who spoke about what they want to see for Leeds over the next ten years. There was a strong sense of optimism about the city’s future, balanced with honesty about the challenges that need to be addressed if Leeds is to reach its full potential. Thoughts or reflections can be sent to [email protected].
Read the State of the Sector – Delivering the Leeds Ambition from 3 December 2025.
As Leeds enters its 400th year as a city, there is much to celebrate and reflect on. To mark this milestone, a city-wide programme of #Leeds400 events and activities has been launched, inviting residents, communities, businesses and organisations to help shape the celebrations.
More information can be found here.
Those interested in getting involved can contact [email protected].
Leeds has also recently become the UK’s first City of Maths, launching a two-year programme aimed at turning the city into a hub of mathematical creativity, curiosity and community. To celebrate, a month-long puzzle hunt is taking place across the city until 28 January 2026, with opportunities to spot puzzles in public spaces and win prizes. Further details about the programme are available at the City of Maths website.
There has also been national recognition for outstanding local services. Rainbow House, a Leeds children’s home providing short breaks and respite for children and young people with complex needs and disabilities, has been rated Outstanding by Ofsted for the eighth consecutive time. Inspectors praised the “exceptionally positive and enriching” experiences for children, alongside the dedication of staff. This achievement reflects the commitment and expertise of the entire Rainbow House team.
The Leeds Local Plan team has been named a winner at the 2025 Commonplace Awards, receiving the award for 360° Engagement of the Year. During summer 2025, the team delivered a district-wide consultation on the Local Plan, presenting complex planning information in clear, accessible formats. The consultation attracted 175,000 unique visitors and over 40,000 contributions from 20,000 respondents, the highest response rate the Council has ever achieved. This success highlights the value of accessible language, interactive tools and meaningful engagement.
There is also a leadership update within the Council. Following a recruitment exercise, Martin Elliot, currently Head of Strategic Planning, has been appointed as Chief Planning Officer. He will take up the role at the end of March, when the current Chief Planning Officer, David Feeney, retires. Martin brings extensive experience across strategic planning, regional collaboration and major programme delivery.
Finally, communities are invited to take part in Just One Day, taking place on Friday 13 February. This annual event raises awareness and funds for the Lord Mayor’s chosen charity. This year, the Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Dan Cohen, has selected Leeds Mencap, which supports children and young people with learning disabilities, autism and additional needs. The theme, Unleash Your Inner Superhero, celebrates the strengths and abilities of those supported by the charity. People can get involved by dressing up, organising activities, donating or spreading the word. More information is available via the Just One Day fundraising pack, or by contacting [email protected].
