Liverpool to host groundbreaking Inclusive Sport & Culture Festival in May 2027

Liverpool will host the UK’s first Inclusive Sport & Culture Festival (ISCF) from 2-8 May 2027, combining elite Paralympic sports with a disabled-led arts program. The week-long event will take over the city’s waterfront, including the M&S Bank Arena, Salthouse Dock, and Pier Head, transforming it into a hub for sport and culture. The festival will feature four international competitions: Wheelchair Rugby at the M&S Bank Arena (2-7 May), the World Boccia Cup at the Exhibition Centre (3-7 May), Paracanoe at Salthouse Dock (7-8 May), and a free open-air Para Athletics event at Pier Head (8 May). All sports will showcase Paralympic-level performances, with Wheelchair Rugby and Boccia contributing to athlete preparation for the LA 2028 Games. A core element is the Athletes’ and Artists’ Village, a shared space where competitors and creators interact, celebrating excellence and connection. The festival is designed to elevate disabled talent in both sport and culture, with funding from a £2.3m National Lottery grant and a £1m Arts Council England grant. The event aligns with the UK Sport-owned concept, delivered in partnership with organizations like Boccia UK, UK Athletics, and Culture Liverpool. It aims to redefine how sport and culture intersect, driving social impact and long-term opportunities for disabled artists and athletes. Paralympic shot put champion Sabrina Fortune praised the festival, highlighting its role in exposing new audiences to para sports while bridging the gap between athletic and creative worlds. The festival will serve as a global showcase ahead of the LA 2028 Paralympic Games, reinforcing Liverpool’s commitment to inclusivity and innovation.