Greater Manchester is set to become home to the UK’s first indoor Nerf activity centre once it opens in just a few weeks time.
It’s been a long time coming, after it was revealed that plans for the new immersive experience were submitted back in 2021, and construction was subsequently put on hold, but it’s now been confirmed that the UK’s – and Europe’s – first official NERF Action Xperience is opening its doors at Trafford Palazzo next month.
A joint venture by Manchester-based leisure group Rocafella Leisure, and entertainment discovery platform Fever, the new NERF Action Xperience is the first of its kind in the continent and is sounding set to one of the region’s best days out for all the family.
UK’s first indoor Nerf activity centre to finally open in Greater Manchester next month / Credit: Supplied
No matter whether you’re a superfan or a NERF newbie, visitors of all ages will get the chance to “live out their ultimate NERF adventures” at the new purpose-built activity centre.
The exciting new attraction will be made up of five different themed arenas.
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The ‘Sports @ NERF AX’ is a dedicated active play zone where players can “get their hearts pumping” with seven different sports-inspired games, while the ‘Training Ground’ is a zone where players can test their NERF blaster skills with eight digital target games, and ‘Chaos City’ is described as being a “post-apocalyptic urban city blaster adventure”.
‘Mission X’ is set to be a cargo bay or marooned spaceship blaster arena, while the final themed arena rounding out the five is ‘Project Stealth’ – a “classified testing bunker blaster” arena.
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The activity centre itself is only half of the experience too, as the new opening will also include the UK’s first dedicated NERF retail store – which will be an 8,000 sq ft shop selling hundreds of NERF products, as well as bespoke NERF AX merchandise.
The exciting new attraction will be made up of five different themed arenas / Credit: Supplied
NERF Action Xperience Greater Manchester will officially open its doors on Friday 25 August.
Trafford Palazzo’s newest addition is the first location in a UK-wide rollout of NERF Action Xperience venues over the next five years, and is creating 50 new jobs – with a recruitment process currently underway, and a number of roles available to apply for.
Tickets will set you back £20 each (including protective goggles), and the waitlist has now gone live if you’re keen to grab them as soon as they go on sale.
Smash-hit West End musical Trainspotting is coming to Manchester later this year
Emily Sergeant
Trainspotting The Musical is coming to Manchester.
30 years on from the film that changed everything, and following its successful world premiere run in London’s West End, Trainspotting The Musical is heading out on a major UK tour later this year, and will be taking to one of Manchester‘s most iconic stages in the autumn.
Written by Irvine Welsh – as adapted from his best-selling debut novel – and directed and developed by Caroline Jay Ranger, Trainspotting The Musical has been described by critics as ‘radical, invigorating and life-affirming’ since its premiere.
It’s said to be an unforgettable production that’ll have even the most sceptical audiences leave on a ‘consciousness-altering high.’
➕ ATG+ PRESALE ➕
CHOOSE LIFE.
Trainspotting: The Musical is coming to the Palace Theatre this November. Written by Irvine Welsh.
Groups presale 👉 Tues 12 May 10am General sale 👉 Wed 13 May 10am
— Palace & Opera Mcr (@PalaceAndOpera) May 11, 2026
In 1996, the breakthrough British film of the same name was released and became the biggest grossing UK film of the year, winning a slew of awards in the process – including a BAFTA for Best Screenplay, and even being ranked tenth in the BFI’s top 100 greatest British films of the 20th century.
Now, three decades later, the industrial drug crazed working-class heroes of British youth culture are back… but this time, live on stage.
Trainspotting The Musical is coming to Manchester later this year / Credit: Supplied
“I believe the musical has a bigger, loudly beating human heart than either the book or the film,” creator Irvine Welsh commented as the UK tour was announced this week.
“People need to think about the world we’re living in, and we offer that inspection, but they also need to sing their hearts out and laugh their heads off. It’s what being human is all about. We’ve put together an incredible Scottish cast and I can’t wait to see them bring the musical to life.”
Trainspotting The Musical will taking to the stage at Manchester Palace Theatre later this year from Monday 2 – Saturday 7 November 2026, and tickets officially go on general sale tomorrow (Wednesday 13 May) from 10am.
Pretty Woman The Musical will be returning to the stage in Manchester next year
Emily Sergeant
“Big night out. Big. HUGE.”
This is your chance to experience one of Hollywood’s best-loved romcoms of all time, as following a record-breaking run in the West End and a sell-out first UK tour in 2023, Pretty Woman The Musical is heading back out the road again next year, and it’ll be taking to one of Manchester‘s most iconic stages.
With direction and choreography by two-time Tony Award winner Jerry Mitchell, an original score by Grammy winner Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance, and a book by the movie’s legendary director Garry Marshall and screenwriter J.F. Lawton, it’s no wonder Pretty Woman The Musical is one of the most popular productions of the 21st century.
Just like the 1990 film of the same name, Pretty Woman The Musical tells the story of Vivian and Edward, two unlikely soulmates who overcome all odds to find each other… and themselves.
Pretty Woman The Musical will be returning to the stage in Manchester next year / Credit: Supplied
The musical – which is described as being a ‘dazzlingly joyous love story for the ages’ – lets you experience all the moments you know and love from the movie, all while getting to know these iconic characters in a whole new way.
Stopping off at Manchester Palace Theatre next spring, the show will be in our city from Tuesday 23 March through to Saturday 3 April 2027, before visiting other northern cities like Leeds, York, Sunderland, Hull, and Liverpool, as well as major locations like Birmingham, Edinburgh, and Cardiff.
Tickets officially go on sale this week – with the pre-sale for ATG members beginning this Wednesday (13 May), before general sale starts on Friday 15 May at 10am.
Emily Sergeant -
10th July 2023 
