A whole range of key projects will reach major milestones - or even be completed - in exciting times for our city which is also celebrating its 100th anniversary of achieving city status.
Leader of Portsmouth City Council, Councillor Steve Pitt said: “2026 is set to be an exciting year for Portsmouth, as we celebrate our centenary year as a city. Many of our major projects will start to move quickly in the new year, and others, such as the Hilsea Lido revamp and the North Portsea Coastal Scheme, will be complete.
“We are committed to investing in all areas across the city, improving the quality of life for our residents, alongside making Portsmouth an attractive place to live and invest in.”
We look at 13 major projects across our city and what 2026 has in store for them:
1. New Bransbury Park Leisure Centre
Work will finally begin on the proposals to build a brand new leisure centre at Bransbury Park. Residents will begin to see activity on site in January, as the site is prepared and build starts on the new play area. Construction of the main building is currently scheduled to begin in spring 2026, with completion estimated by the end of 2027. When complete it will feature a 25-metre swimming pool, a learner pool, a gym, fitness studios, and a relocated GP surgery, plus outdoor facilities. | Portsmouth City Council
2. Royal Marines Museum
Work is ongoing to create a brand new The Royal Marines Museum at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard - converting Boathouse 6 which was the home of Action Stations. Construction is underway for this new immersive experience dedicated to the Royal Marines' history, replacing the museum which was closed in Eastney back in 2017! The new museum is expected to open in the summer of 2026. We cannot wait to see what is created there. | The News
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3. Hilsea Lido
After a huge revamp to bring it back into use, Hilsea Lido will finally be open in spring 2026. Work originally began in 2024 with hopes that the pool would reopen this year. But its new operators Sea Lanes are carrying out improvements to make it even better. We can't wait to see this one finally back in use again! | PCC
4. Eastney Swimming Pool site
Next year we should have a better idea of what is in store for this prime location in Eastney. Despite a campaign to save it the pool was demolished earlier this year after it was declared to be not fit for purpose. Inside a new leisure centre will be built at Bransbury Park, with the Eastney site now earmarked for a water sports centre. Portsmouth City Council carried out an initial consultation earlier this year and it is now using the findings of the consultation. This will help guide it as to where it can apply for funding, or what partners it can work with to help bring any future proposals forward. | My Portsmouth By Drone Photo: My Portsmouth By Drone