Despite the disappointment of England missing out on hosting the 2018 World Cup, being included in the England bid generated more than £1 million of positive national publicity for Milton Keynes, and helped consolidate Milton Keynes’s position as a prime destination for major international events.

Bid Chair Ann Limb explains “Standing alongside established footballing cities such as London, Manchester and Newcastle has shown the world we can be taken seriously as a host destination for major sports and cultural events.  We’re still a winner when you consider what we’ve learned and achieved so far.”

We offer our congratulations to Russia and say a big thank you to everyone who backed the Milton Keynes and England bid.”

Cllr Cec Tallack, Leader of Milton Keynes Council, added: “We plan to put our learning to good use as we aspire to be an International Sporting City, which means attracting national and international events.  This then creates elite-level facilities that local people can use, which is a win for our communities in the long term.”