Milton Keynes, Sheffield, and Blackpool have been selected as leading contenders for the UK City of Culture title in 2029.
They join Inverness-Highland, Ipswich, Middlesbrough, Portsmouth, Swindon, and Wrexham on the longlist, aiming to succeed Bradford, the 2025 holder.
However, bids from Bristol, Carlisle, Exeter, Herefordshire, Isle of Thanet, Peterborough, Plymouth, and Reading were unsuccessful.
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport confirmed the nine contenders will each receive £60,000 to develop their full bids.
For the first time, the winner will secure a £10 million prize for a year of cultural activities, with three others gaining £125,000 for bid elements.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said the competition – and the first Town of Culture in 2028 – “recognise the enormous contributions made by communities all over the UK who are all part of the story of who we are as a nation”.
The longlist was decided by an independent panel chaired by Brookside, Grange Hill and Hollyoaks creator Sir Phil Redmond.
He said the competition used culture as a “creative catalyst for change, raising awareness and changing perceptions”.
“Derry-Londonderry, Hull, Coventry and, more recently, Bradford, have all demonstrated the quality and depth of cultural activity embedded across the UK, as well as the benefits of simply taking part,” he said.
“The competition brings people together, to talk to each other rather than at each other, sharing commonality and tolerating difference. Above all, allowing places to demonstrate their own pride in their places.”
More than 230 towns have registered an interest in bidding to be the UK’s first Town of Culture and Ms Nandy urged more to enter before the deadline at the end of March.
“It’s a chance to show the country what makes them unique and shine a spotlight on their cultural offer, enriching the lives of local people,” she said.
Ms Nandy also said £132 million would go to “youth centres, grassroots sports, arts and music programmes in communities that need them most”.
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