The Huge Things Happening Across Tees Valley In 2026

Tees Valley enters 2026 with exciting momentum as many of the region’s biggest ambitions become reality. With cranes on skylines, new projects launching and long-awaited facilities opening their doors, there is plenty ahead being supported and celebrated by Tees Valley Combined Authority.

 From clean energy projects at Teesworks to town centre regeneration, transport upgrades and sports and cultural investment across Darlington, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar & Cleveland and Stockton-on-Tees, the year ahead is packed with potential.

 Here’s some of the things you can expect to see:

 Darlington Station and Eaglescliffe Station improvements on track

Improvements at railway stations across Tees Valley continue to steam ahead, with major projects set to be concluded in 2026 bringing huge benefits to both local travellers and the economy.

After upgrades at Middlesbrough, Hartlepool and Billingham stations in recent years, Darlington and Eaglescliffe will be next to see their station improvements concluded.

The major transformation Darlington Station is scheduled for completion in spring.

It will provide two new platforms on the Eastern side of the station, a new Eastern Gateway concourse building and a new, fully accessible and enclosed footbridge linking them to the current station building.

The revamp of Eaglescliffe will see accessibility vastly improved with the installation of a new footbridge, with lifts added for the first time.

Once open, the new bridge will allow passengers to enter the station from its west side with a multi-storey car park, a project led by Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, also to be created – with improved access to Yarm and traffic signals on the Cleasby Way junction.

Amazon Drones Taking Off in Darlington

Our region has gained national attention as the first place in the UK to host Amazon’s Prime Air drone delivery service.  Operating from its Darlington facility, the project positions the region at the forefront of logistics innovation and autonomous technology.

Prime Air will see autonomous drones carry out same-day 30-minute deliveries from its warehouse to customers’ homes across the area. Alongside faster deliveries, it brings skilled jobs and reinforces Teesside’s reputation as a testbed for future-facing industries.

Offshore wind factory to hit milestone at Teesworks

The establishment of Teesside as a major centre for offshore wind manufacturing will reach a further major milestone in 2026 with the first exports from the SeAH Wind factory at South Bank at Teesworks.

The giant £950million facility producing offshore wind monopile foundations became operational in 2025 – and the coming year will see the first products shipped directly from the recently built Steel River Quay to locations in the North Sea.

The development cements Teesside’s role in the UK’s offshore wind supply chain and supports thousands of jobs across manufacturing, engineering and logistics, marking a significant step in the region’s clean energy transition.

Further major developments are expected at Teesworks across the 12 months including further progress on the £4billion Net Zero Teesside Power, the world’s first gas-fired power station with carbon capture and storage capabilities.

There will also be completion of the 1,500 space Park and Ride facility to serve the huge numbers of construction workers due to build NZT Power.

A year of creativity as Turner Prize comes to Middlesbrough

Cultural life across Tees Valley will flourish further in 2026 with packed calendar of fantastic events planned across the region.

From Redcar Kite Festival to Middlesbrough Mela, and Hartlepool’s Wintertide to 80s Calling in Darlington, there’s something for everyone.

January will see the conclusion of the Stockton and Darlington Railway 200^th anniversary celebrations marked by a spectacular finale at Preston Park Museum with Perfume – an extraordinary sound and light installation by internationally acclaimed French artist Yann Nguema.

2026 will also see the Turner Prize exhibition comes to Teesside with the hosting of the most prestigious event in contemporary British Art at Middlesbrough’s MIMA gallery from autumn onwards.

Stockton Waterfront transformation

The transformation of Stockton Waterfront will be completed in spring, delivering a major new riverside park and public space.

A striking urban park will create a new public space residents and visitors will be able to enjoy, as part of Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council’s plans to transform the town centre.

It will include features such as exciting new play areas for families, flexible spaces for hosting a range of events and food and street trading opportunities.

A 55m land bridge structure has been created, which will allow people to walk uninterrupted from the High Street to the riverside and connect Stockton Town Centre with the River Tees once again.

The development reconnects Stockton High Street with the River Tees through green spaces, play areas and event facilities.

Hartlepool’s Highlight opens its doors

A first-class health and fitness centre will open its doors in 2026 with the completion of Highlight at Hartlepool’s waterfront.

Highlight’s facilities will include a 25m eight-lane main pool, a 25m four-lane learner pool with movable floor and a leisure pool including race slide, water play features and spectator seating.

It will also house a 100-station gym, two inter-connected fitness studios, an indoor cycling and spinning studio, a cafe, party room, soft play areas and an NHS consultation suite.

The building will be surrounded by informal outdoor event and activity spaces to support walking, cycling, running, outdoor fitness, with connections for watersports utilising Hartlepool Marina.

Hartlepool TV and Film Industry expansion gets underway

The development of Hartlepool’s growing film and television industry will take a big step forward in 2026.

Work on expansion of the town’s Northern Studio and the development of a new production village will get underway as part of plans aimed to attract major productions, create skilled jobs and open new career opportunities for local people.

Technical designs are due to be completed in February 2026, with the main manufacturing and construction expected to start in August. The development site is aimed to be operationally ready by spring 2028.

Eston welcomes swimmers back with new pool

The new Eston Pool at Eston Leisure Centre will welcome swimmers back from early in 2026 to a modern, accessible facility for health, fitness, and competitive swimming.

It will include a six-lane, 25-metre pool, which will be the ideal place for family swimming, swim lessons, and facilitating the return of exciting swimming gala competitions.

A dedicated learner pool, providing a crucial space for lessons and younger swimmers alongside a comfortable viewing area for spectators and a modern changing village for ease and convenience.

Southlands Community and Sports Hub

The new Southlands Community and Sports Hub will offer top-class sports, education, and community facilities in Middlesbrough.

The Middlesbrough Council-led project will be a base for grassroots football, youth programmes, mentoring, employability training, and more. MFC Foundation will run the centre, supporting local people of all ages to get active, learn new skills, and connect with their communities.

In the first stage of the project, the new hub will be built. It will include community meeting rooms and a social area. The current 3G and grass football pitches will be upgraded. New open spaces, which can be used for other sports and activities, will also be built, with hopes of opening in summer 2026.

New flights from Teesside International Airport

Teesside International Airport continues to expand its route network with introduction of a new weekly flight to Turkey in 2026.

Turkish-based airline Mavi Gok Airlines (MGA) Airlines has announced a weekly flight to the sunshine Mediterranean hotspot of Antalya as it becomes the newest carrier to fly from Teesside.

The addition of Antalya follows a standout year for Teesside Airport. It builds on the introduction of extremely popular year-round flights to Malaga, launched in 2025 year, and an announcement that Alicante flights will expand to four services a week.

Eston Precinct to offer a new shopping destination

Work to transform Eston Precinct into a modern shopping destination will take place in 2026.

The transformation will not only provide retail but also enhance the overall appeal of Eston as a vibrant and welcoming spot. Improvements will include new paving, trees, benches, lighting, and upgraded power infrastructure to support events and markets, creating a more attractive environment for shoppers and businesses.

As part of the first phase, Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council will oversee the construction of seven new retail units, totalling 14,600 square feet, alongside the creation of a new outdoor space. Phase one is expected to be completed by summer 2026.

The Lookout helping to regenerate Redcar seafront

Redcar’s seafront regeneration will continue in 2026 with The Lookout taking shape as a new landmark attraction.

Designed to enhance the visitor experience and celebrate the town’s coastal character, the project supports tourism-led growth and forms part of a broader effort to revitalise Redcar.

The Lookout will support the transformation of the Esplanade and High Street, offering a family-friendly hub under one roof. It will feature things to do for all the family to boost Redcar’s visitor economy, a modern library, digital technology, learning spaces, and a programme of events.

Work to start on new Darlington Economic Campus site

Darlington Economic Campus is now a key location for the UK Government and 2026 will see the development of a major new facility in the town.

Construction is scheduled to begin on the new Treasury offices at the site of a former car park in Brunswick Street. When completed, the office will be home to a further 1,500 civil servants a build on the existing DEC developments at Feethams House and Bishopsgate House.

Thousands of civil service roles are now based in the town, supporting the local economy and bringing increased footfall to the town centre. The campus reinforces Darlington’s position as a national centre for policy, skills and innovation.