• Liverpool named in final three after intense selection process 
• No UK city has ever won this prestigious award
• Mayor Steve Rotheram: ‘Innovation isn’t just something we do – it’s who we are.’

The European Commission has announced the finalists of the 2026 European Capital of Innovation Awards (iCapital), celebrating cities at the forefront of urban innovation for over a decade.

Supported by the European Innovation Council under Horizon Europe, the iCapital prize is awarded to cities that act as front-runners in leveraging innovation to shape more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient urban environments.

After an intense selection process, including interviews with six semi-finalist cities, a high-level jury of innovation leaders from academia, business, and policy has made its choice, naming Liverpool as a top three finalist. No UK city has ever won this prestigious award.

Liverpool’s bid is named ‘LIFE’, which stands for ‘Liverpool Innovates for Everyone’. It is focused on what the city and the wider city region has achieved since being European Capital of Culture in 2008, detailing the work that has been done and is ongoing to inspire young people and improve people’s lives through inclusive innovation – a strategy fuelled by culture and powered by innovation.

KQ Liverpool Innovation District

Through the shortlisting process Liverpool has been recognised for driving significant urban transformation, through its commitment to cultural regeneration and technological advancement. It has not just reflected on past successes however, but used these important milestones to accelerate and transform its ongoing strategy.

Liverpool has prioritised inclusive growth and community engagement, enhancing its reputation as a leader in creativity and innovation. By fostering collaborations between arts, technology, and social sectors, Liverpool has effectively harnessed its historical and cultural assets to create dynamic economic opportunities and a vibrant innovation landscape.

Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram said:

“I’ve been telling everyone that will listen in government that we are an innovation powerhouse, so I’m delighted Liverpool has been shortlisted to be the European Capital of Innovation. It’s a powerful recognition of the incredible progress we’ve made – and the bold ambitions we have for the future.

“Innovation isn’t just something we do – it’s who we are. From world-first breakthroughs in science and medicine to our pioneering Innovation Zone, we’re proving that when you invest in people, places and ideas, you can create something truly transformative.

“As we look to the future, we want to cement our place as the go to city region for AI, advanced manufacturing and life sciences.

“This shortlisting is a testament to the creativity, resilience and talent of our people – and a signal to the world that the Liverpool City Region is leading the way.”

Councillor Liam Robinson, Leader of Liverpool City Council, said:

“This is fantastic news for our city and reflects our growing reputation for driving innovation.

“We are renowned for the way we innovate in delivering mass events of global significance, how we deliver our public services and ensure opportunities are accessible to all people regardless of their background.

“Becoming European Capital of Innovation would reinforce our status as a beacon of best practice and give us further opportunity to both share our knowledge, and also learn from others.”

Colin Sinclair, CEO of Knowledge Quarter Liverpool (KQ Liverpool) and Sciontec Developments Limited (Sciontec), said:

“We are so proud that Liverpool has been recognised on the international stage for its commitment to inclusive innovation. KQ Liverpool is home to many of the city’s key leaders in innovation and we are proud to have played our part in the wider efforts of Team Liverpool to reach this stage.

“We look forward to working together to hopefully bring this title home and use it as a springboard for inspiring the next generation, for job creation and for economic growth.“

The other two finalists, alongside Liverpool, are Grenoble Alpes Métropole and Rotterdam, a previous finalist. Judges have revealed how these cities have demonstrated extraordinary commitment to fostering innovation-based ecosystems, setting an example for sustainable and inclusive urban development across Europe.

All finalists will be invited to join the prestigious iCapital Alumni network, composed of previous finalists of the iCapital Awards.

The winners will be celebrated at the iCapital Awards ceremony in Turin (Italy) on 4 December 2025, during the ‘Cities Innovate Summit’.

Through the iCapital Awards, the European Union recognises cities with inclusive innovation ecosystems. The prize identifies cities that connect citizens with academia, businesses and the public sector to translate results into improved wellbeing, while boosting game-changing innovation.

Past winners as European Capitals of Innovation include Barcelona (2014), Amsterdam (2016), Paris (2017), Athens (2018), Nantes (2019), Leuven (2020), Dortmund (2021), Aix-Marseille Provence Metropole (2022), Lisbon (2023) and Turin (2024-2025).