Sporting Events

Known as a global sporting hub, and one of the best top ten cities in the world globally for sport according to the BCW Top 50 Global Sport Cities for 2022, Manchester has a rich sporting heritage with a reputation for attracting national and international events.  The city-region boasts a sporting infrastructure second to none and a commitment to world-class event delivery.   

Manchester is home to two of the world’s iconic names in football, Manchester United and Manchester City, as well as several national governing bodies of sport and national training squads.  The hugely successful legacy of the 2002 Commonwealth Games has provided the city with an extensive range of sporting facilities which has been enhanced in recent years, making Manchester the UK’s sporting capital. 

A Partnership Approach 

Manchester Convention Bureau works to identify major event opportunities for Manchester, and we can connect you with key stakeholders within the city-region.  In addition, the city works closely with UK Sport to identify long-term bidding targets which can deliver the necessary economic and social impacts for Manchester.  We offer a strong partnership structure that constantly delivers and an organisational capacity that is second to none.   

Manchester’s unique offering to major event rightsholders is evident with our track record of delivering the largest and most complex events.  From UEFA Champions League football to the Rugby and Cricket World Cups, international cycling events in multiple disciplines, to city centre athletics showcases and elite events in para sport as well as regular training camps for elite sports teams. 

Our team has extensive experience of working with international federations and national governing bodies of sport and can support your event through every step of the bidding journey, from the complexities of producing a bespoke bid, identifying venues and training facilities through to assistance with event planning, accommodation booking, promotional support and providing a first-class welcome to your event stakeholders. 

Contact the team to find out how we can help you to deliver an exceptional event which showcases your sport and achieves the objectives for you and your event stakeholders, your athletes, and the national and international community within your sport.