City of Culture 2025: Why Southampton deserves to win
Southampton is among four areas in the running to take the title
Southampton is waiting for the result of its bid to become UK City of Culture 2025.
The winner of the title, awarded every four years, will be announced by Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries on BBC One's The One Show tonight.
Bradford, County Durham and Wrexham are also in the running.
The winner of City of Culture 2025 will take over the title from current holder Coventry, which won in 2021.
Winning the title helps to raise an area's profile, boost its economy and encourages long-lasting participation in the arts.
Why Southampton should be the next City of Culture
Southampton's bid officials said the city deserves to win because it has a wealth of culture from music, sport and dance to heritage, art and theatre.
People from more than 50 countries call the port city home, living in "vibrant and diverse" communities.
The Pilgrims left Southampton to embark on their historic transatlantic voyage to North America on The Mayflower in 1620.
Titanic and now modern cruise liners have all sailed from the city, bringing together people from around the world.
Museums, art galleries and universities
Southampton's rich history is on show at several museums and galleries.
SeaCity Museum, Solent Sky Museum, Tudor House and Garden and Southampton City Art Gallery hold a wealth of artefacts and material relating to the city's past.
City of Culture bid organisers describe Southampton as a city of innovation and enterprise being home to the University of Southampton and Solent University.
Theatres and entertainment
Southampton's Mayflower Theatre is the biggest theatre on the south coast hosting a diverse range of shows from touring productions and musicals to dance, opera and comedy.
Lovers of live music flock to the O2 Guildhall in Southampton's Cultural Quarter.
The nearby MAST Mayflower Studios hosts productions and creates opportunities for artists to produce work at the venue.
Famous names from Southampton
Music star Craig David, who grew up in Southampton and was an ambassador for the city's bid, said he was proud of the city.
He said he owed "everything for my inspiration and success to my family and beginnings in Southampton".
He added: "This golden opportunity must not be wasted. I want the world to know that Southampton is worthy of this title".
Chancellor Rishi Sunak was born in Southampton in 1980 to a GP father and a mother who ran a pharmacy on Burgess Road in Bassett.
The politician is a Southampton Football Club fan and has named one of his childhood heroes as former Saints player Matt Le Tissier, according to The Guardian.
Sport
Saints bring Premier League football to Southampton.
The club was nicknamed "The Saints" since its inception in 1885 due to its history as a church football team, founded as St. Mary's Church of England Young Men's Association.
Domestic and international cricket is hosted at the Ageas Bowl in West End on the outskirts of the city.
The 2025 shortlist was compiled from a group of 20 places that registered bids.