Universal Studios to Build Its First-Ever Theme Park in Europe—And It’s in the UK.
Comcast NBCUniversal is bringing its world-famous Universal theme park experience to Europe for the first time. The company has announced official plans to build a massive resort in Bedford, England, marking a major international expansion of its theme park division.
The new destination will be located just 35 minutes north of London by train, making it easily accessible to both domestic and international travelers. The resort will include a state-of-the-art theme park, a 500-room hotel, and a large-scale dining, shopping, and entertainment complex.
The Bedford site, which spans over 470 acres, is set to become Universal’s sixth global theme park location – joining existing parks in Florida, California, Japan, Singapore, and China. If approved, construction is expected to begin in 2026, with the grand opening targeted for 2031.
According to company estimates, the development could contribute close to £50 billion to the UK economy by 2055 and generate more than 8,000 permanent jobs once operational. During construction, up to 20,000 jobs could be created across the building, infrastructure, and logistics sectors.
British officials, including Prime Minister Keir Starmer, have voiced strong support for the project, citing its potential to transform tourism and boost regional employment. To support the build-out, infrastructure upgrades—including improvements to nearby Luton Airport—are already in discussion to handle anticipated increases in visitor traffic.
Universal’s expansion into the UK positions it to compete more directly in the European entertainment market, long dominated by Disneyland Paris. Early projections suggest the Bedford Park could draw over 8.5 million visitors annually in its first year alone.
