North West Backs Bolton Ryder Cup With Transit

Bolton bids for 2035 Ryder Cup with £70m transit package to serve Hulton Park venue

Bolton Bids for 2035 Ryder Cup With Transit Plan

Greater Manchester's preparing a bid to host the 2035 Ryder Cup at Bolton's Hulton Park, with Mayor Andy Burnham committing up to £70m for a transport package to serve the site. The proposed £240m golf resort development could bring an estimated £1.2bn economic boost to the region, officials said. A £69.8m investment has been pledged for the Park Avenue link road in Bolton to support access to the 608-acre parkland estate.

Context

The Ryder Cup has never been held in Greater Manchester before, though founder Samuel Ryder was born in Lancashire and lived in Sale, Trafford. The proposed venue would host the 50th edition of the biennial golf tournament between the USA and Europe. The project includes plans for a luxury hotel, lodges, a health club, and a course designed to accommodate 65,000 spectators. Transit officials said the transport improvements are essential to handle the expected influx of visitors for the international sporting event.

Details

Mayor Andy Burnham is backing the bid with a substantial transit investment to ensure accessibility to the site. The £70m transport package will complement the £69.8m Park Avenue link road investment, creating improved connections to Hulton Park. Four-time Ryder Cup player Tommy Fleetwood, currently ranked third in the world, is supporting the bid. Officials haven't released specific details about which transit routes or services will be enhanced as part of the transport package.

Timeline

A decision on the 2035 host venue is expected by the end of summer 2026. Construction work could begin as early as December 2026 if the bid is successful, officials said. The timeline would allow several years for infrastructure development, including the transport improvements needed to serve the venue. Officials haven't specified when detailed transit plans will be released to the public.

Impact

The transport improvements will benefit both event attendees and local residents with enhanced connectivity to Bolton and surrounding areas. Officials said the infrastructure investments are designed to serve the community long after the tournament concludes. Riders can check Moovit for real-time updates on Greater Manchester transit services as the project develops.