Why Leeds is the UK’s first City of Maths

For 2026 and 2027, Leeds is the City of Maths. It’s a UK first: a two-year programme of events, pop-ups, school activities and free resources, all built around one idea. Maths isn’t only for people who were good at it at school.

So why Leeds?

A city that runs on numbers

Leeds has a diverse and resilient economy, and maths sits underneath most of it. The city is strong in healthcare, creative and digital industries, financial and professional services, and manufacturing. All of them need people who are comfortable with problem-solving.

Not everyone is sharing in that success, though. A quarter of organisations in West Yorkshire that report skills gaps say their staff need better basic numeracy. That gap starts early. If young people don’t see where maths could take them, they’re less likely to go after the jobs that rely on it.

What’s already here

Leeds has a head start. The city is home to the University of Leeds and its internationally recognised mathematics department, the UK Mathematics Trust, the Leeds Mathematics School and MathsCity. Few places in the country can line up that mix of research, competition, specialist teaching and hands-on public engagement in one city.

The programme is backed by MathsWorldUK and Purposeful Ventures, with support from Leeds City Council, Asda, Leeds Rhinos Foundation, the University of Leeds, the Leeds Mathematics School and LeedsBID.

Meeting people where they are

The aim is simple to say and harder to do: build positive attitudes towards maths among children and young people across Leeds, and give their parents and teachers the confidence and skills to back them up.

That means turning up in places you wouldn’t expect. So far that has included a loo roll guessing game in Asda stores, PE lesson plans developed with Leeds Rhinos Foundation, a puzzle trail through the city centre, a maths storybook for primary schools and a Leeds 400 challenge asking pupils to “show us 400”.

“It’s crucial to show that maths exists outside the classroom and isn’t just about number crunching and exams,” said Professor Katie Chicot “We want everyone to see that there’s a type of maths that’s for them, and that a stronger relationship with maths will make a difference to their life.”

Why the Festival of Ideas

Which is how City of Maths ended up at Leeds Playhouse. As part of LIFI Futures, the festival’s strand for young people, Is maths the root of everything? is hosted by Rachel Riley MBE on Wednesday 7 October. It asks how much of everyday life (money, music, sport, the phone in your pocket) quietly depends on maths, and what that means for the next generation growing up in Leeds.

If you’ve ever said “I’m not a maths person”, this one is probably for you. Free resources, competitions and the full events programme are at cityofmaths.co.uk.