What Is Leeds City Of Maths?

Have you been wandering around Leeds lately and spotted some strange puzzles popping up? On the side of a bus, maybe, or on a big screen in the city centre? Well, it’s not just your imagination. Something big has kicked off. As of 29th December 2025, Leeds has officially become the first-ever City of Maths in the UK. And to get things started, the entire city is being turned into a giant playground for a massive, month-long puzzle hunt that anyone can join. It’s the start of a two-year festival designed to show that maths can be fun, surprising, and for everyone in the community.

So, what's with all the puzzles?

Imagine you’re on your way into town, and instead of a normal advert on a billboard, you see a brain-teaser. That’s exactly what’s happening right now. From now until 28th January 2026, a huge, citywide puzzle hunt is taking over Leeds. These aren’t your typical maths homework questions. Inspired by the popular TV show The 1% Club, these puzzles are quick, quirky, and cleverly designed without any numbers, so people of all ages can have a crack at them. They are all about logic and thinking outside the box, not algebra.

You can find these eye-catching puzzles in some pretty cool places. They’re appearing on 20 different digital screens in the city centre, on massive billboards on the main roads into the city, and even on the sides of buses. With 61 bus routes covered, these puzzles are travelling all over Leeds, from the centre out to the suburbs. It’s a proper citywide takeover, turning a simple journey into a chance to test your wits. The whole point is to get people to stop, think for a moment, and maybe even have a bit of a laugh. It’s a great example of bringing maths into the community in an unexpected way.

How to get involved (and win big!)

Getting involved couldn't be simpler. There are no complicated rules or sign-up sheets. All you have to do is spot one of the puzzles while you're out and about. Once you see one, have a go at solving it. Then, just pop your answer into the City of Maths website. The closing date for every entry is 31st January 2026, so there’s plenty of time to get your answers in.

And here’s the best bit: you don’t even need to get the answer right to be in with a chance of winning. Every single entry, whether it’s correct or not, goes into a massive prize draw. It’s all about taking part and giving it a go, which is a brilliant way to boost confidence. There are some fantastic prizes up for grabs. One super lucky winner will walk away with £1,000 in cash. But that’s not all. Other prizes include:

• £200 Amazon vouchers
• Leeds Rhinos Five-Match Flexi Memberships
• Family tickets for the MathsCity activity centre in Leeds

With 11 prizes in total, there are plenty of reasons to keep your eyes peeled. Just one correct (or even incorrect!) entry could see you winning some serious cash or a fun day out. These aren't just any prizes; they reflect the spirit of the city and the community.

But what actually is the City of Maths?

The puzzle challenge is just the warm-up act for something much bigger. The City of Maths is a brand new, two-year programme, the first of its kind in the UK, that will run right up to the end of 2027. Think of it a bit like the City of Culture, but instead of focusing on art and music, it’s all about showing how creative, exciting, and useful maths can be in our everyday lives. The whole idea is to completely change how people across the city of Leeds think and feel about maths.

Let’s be honest, for many people, the word ‘maths’ brings back memories of tricky tests and confusing formulas. This initiative is here to fix that. With the support of big local names like Leeds Rhinos Foundation, Asda, and Leeds Light Night, the programme aims to shift those old attitudes. It will bring a whole host of events, special installations, and helpful resources to Leeds, all designed to showcase maths as something that’s empowering and relevant to everyone. The goal is to build a stronger community by making maths more accessible and enjoyable. It's about finding the maths in the culture of the city itself.

Ella Wild, who is the Project Manager for City of Maths, said:

“We wanted to launch City of Maths with something joyful, visual, and that everyone can join in with! These puzzles capture what City of Maths is all about - having a go, getting curious, and discovering that maths can be fun. We’re so excited for people to get involved.”

What else is planned for the next two years?

Over the next two years, the city will be buzzing with all sorts of mathematical creativity. The programme isn't just about one-off events; it's about making a lasting change. There’s a whole range of activities planned to get the entire city involved in different ways. Some of the things happening will include:

• Free resources: Schools, teachers, and community groups will get access to free materials to help make learning maths more engaging.
• Grants and funding: Money will be available to support maths education projects across the city.
• Cultural events and installations: Expect to see amazing light shows, maths-themed trails around the city, and even 'maths busking'. What’s busking with maths? It could be street performers juggling with geometric shapes or doing incredible lightning-fast calculations.
• Community engagement: There will be pop-up activities in supermarkets and collaborations with sports teams to bring maths to places you’d least expect it.
• The UK’s first Mathematical Playground: A permanent outdoor space will be built in a Leeds park, dedicated to exploring maths through play. This is one of the most exciting installations planned.

These events are all designed to spark curiosity and show that maths isn’t just for classrooms; it’s part of the world around us. From the patterns on a football to the logic needed to plan a shopping trip, it's everywhere. This citywide initiative aims to highlight that connection.

A word from the organisers

The whole City of Maths programme is being delivered by MathsWorldUK, a maths charity dedicated to changing perceptions. The charity's CEO, Dr Katie Chicot, is passionate about the project's mission. The focus is on making people feel good about maths and helping them see it in a new light. It’s about building a positive culture around a subject that sometimes gets a bad rap.

Dr Katie Chicot said:

“We want people to feel good about maths! Over the next two years, we aim to spark curiosity, boost confidence, and help people see maths differently. The puzzle challenge is a wonderful start – with lots more still to come – and we invite everyone in Leeds to get involved.”

So, the next time you're on one of the buses or walking past the billboards, take a look. You might just spot one of the puzzles. Have a go, submit your entry, and become part of a movement that’s putting Leeds on the map for all the right reasons. It's a brilliant moment for the city, the UK, and anyone who's ever been curious about the numbers and patterns that shape our world.