Sports in Manchester
Manchester is arguably the envy of every other major sporting city in Europe.
Home to two of football’s leading teams - Manchester United and Manchester City - all eyes are on this city every time the teams play at the Etihad Stadium and Old Trafford.
Plenty of other sports capture the imagination in Manchester. Europe’s biggest 10k run, the Great Manchester Run, has become a highly-popular annual event in the calendar, while cycling is also huge in the region, thanks to the presence of the National Cycling Centre. We also have an aquatics centre designed to train Olympic swimmers and divers, and a plethora of spectator sports
Old Trafford
The iconic Old Trafford stands tall above Salford Quays. Dubbed ‘The Theatre of Dreams’ during Manchester United’s trophy-laden glory days, it boasts a capacity of more than 75,000 – one of the biggest grounds in Europe. Take the stadium tour and you will see just how much glorious history the three-time European Cup winners can reflect upon.
Just up the road you will find Emirates Old Trafford, the international cricket club and home to Lancashire Country Cricket Club. Why not snap up a ticket and take in the unique atmosphere of one of the country’s best-loved clubs.
SportCity
Located in the east of Manchester, the instantly-recognisable Etihad Stadium at SportCity is home to Manchester City, one of the richest clubs in the sport. The club’s owners have invested hundreds of millions of pounds in the surrounding area, creating new properties and jobs in the process. The tour of the ground offers an insight into the success that City have experienced since the current owners arrived in 2008.
Over at the SportCity complex you can take in athletics at the Manchester Regional Arena, and check out where the gold medal-winning British Olympic Cycling team train on the velodrome track at the National Cycling Centre. You can even have a go on the indoor BMX track, or if you prefer, show of your skills on court at the National Squash Centre.
Spectator Sports
If you prefer to watch sport rather than participate, there are plenty of options in and around the Manchester area. The Manchester Giants represent the city in basketball, and Manchester Titans are our American football team, at Salford City Stadium.
Altrincham Ice Rink is home to the newly-reformed Manchester Storm, who compete in the Elite Ice Hockey League, and Manchester Phoenix are also putting plans together for a new rink in the city!