Leeds officially becomes the UK’s first City of Maths with city-wide puzzle - and there’s £1k up for grabs
Leeds is no stranger to being a trailblazer - from its industrial heritage to its recent turn as a cultural powerhouse, the city has a knack for leading the way.
Today, it adds a brand-new title to its trophy cabinet: The UK’s first-ever City of Maths.
The two-year initiative, led by the charity MathsWorldUK, is designed to prove that maths is joyful, creative, and—most importantly—for everyone.
Their mission is to shift the ‘scary’ or ‘boring’ reputation of maths and aim to show that maths isn't just for exams, and to celebrate the launch, the city is being taken over by a month-long, citywide puzzle hunt running until January 28, inspired by the popular TV series The 1% Club.
These quick, number-free puzzles are appearing on 20 digital screens in the city centre, billboards on key commuter routes, and on the sides of buses across 61 local routes. Anyone can take part by submitting their answer at the official City of Math’s website for a chance to win a £1,000 cash prize, Leeds Rhinos memberships, or Amazon vouchers.
Speaking about the initiative, Ella Wild, 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.”
Those sentiments were echoed by CEO of MathsWorldUK, Dr Katie Chicot, who wants “people to feel good about maths,” with the next two years aiming “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.”
At the heart of the city centre, shoppers and commuters will encounter Mathematical Buskers—performers who use "number magic" and mind-bending logic puzzles to entertain crowds and prove that maths can be a spectator sport.
The excitement extends into the local community and schools through TaskMathster, a unique collaboration with Taskmaster Education, inspired by the hit TV show and bringing quirky, creative challenges to Leeds classrooms, encouraging students to solve problems with the same lateral thinking seen on screen.
Beyond the school gates, unexpected pop-ups will ensure that everyone can join the fun, with puzzles appearing in the most unlikely of places—from beer mats in local pubs to the side of milk bottles in Asda and across digital billboards spanning the entire city.
To top it all off, the program will weave itself into the city's major cultural milestones as visitors can expect large-scale geometric light installations to take centre stage during the annual Leeds Light Night festival, turning the city's architecture into a canvas for mathematical beauty.
Ready to explore more? While the puzzles are taking over the streets, the physical heart of the project can be found at MathsCity. The UK’s first dedicated maths discovery centre has recently moved to its new home at 4 Canal Wharf (LS11 5AS), located just a short walk from Leeds Station