England’s next World Cup match will take place this Saturday – but clashes with some huge gigs taking place in Manchester.
Thankfully, fans with tickets for either Blossoms or Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbott will now be able to watch the game in a massive setting.
Arrangements have been made to show the quarter final game at theAO Arena and at the O2 Apollo – and Paul Heaton’s even gone a step further for fans who don’t actually like football.
He’s said that the group have arranged to have some live entertainment in the arena concourse, and are hoping to serve free mulled wine to those who don’t want to watch England vs France.
Kick off is around 7pm on Saturday, leaving many fans facing missing the start of the gigs to go and watch the action in nearby pubs and bars.
And it’s full steam ahead, with a statement confirming a new running order for Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbott at the AO Arena.
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He wrote in a statement: “Following some lengthy thought and discussion, we have decided that we will now be showing the England v France match on the screens at AO Arena Manchester on Saturday evening.
“The venue have kindly agreed to open doors from 5pm so that you can all get in on time to see the fantastic Billy Bragg who has also shown great sportsmanship by agreeing to take to the stage at the earlier time of 6:15pm. This means the match can then be shown on the screens from 7pm.
“We are mindful that there will be people that won’t be keen on watching the match (we did, unsuccessfully, look at alternative entertainment within the arena itself) and also worried about transport home, but we assure you that Paul & Jacqui will still take to the stage by 9pm, meaning the show will finish around 10:40/45pm.
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Following some lengthy thought and discussion, we have decided that we will now be showing the England v France match on the screens at the @AOArena Manchester on Saturday evening. For full information please read the attached statement… pic.twitter.com/rg6T00hCF5
“This does mean we won’t be showing any extra time if that occurs, but if it does Paul and Jacqui will be very keen to keep you updated from the stage. With the right result this could be a great night!
“Times for the evening are as follows: 5pm Doors open, 6:15pm Billy Bragg, 7pm England v France game on the Arena screens, 9pm Paul Heaton & Jacqui Abbott.”
Blossoms have made similar moves, and will be showing England vs France over at the O2 Apollo.
An email circulated to ticket-holders said: “The England v France FIFA World Cup quarter final match will be shown live on the big screen prior to Blossoms’ performance at O2 Apollo Manchester on Saturday 10th December.
“Doors: 17:00. Brooke Combe: 18:10. England v France: 19:00 kick off Blossoms: 21:15*
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“*In the event of extra time/penalties, times will be adjusted accordingly.”
One person tweeted Paul Heaton to say: “I’m unfortunately not going but I think what you have done is brilliant – ensuring that given the occasion people can still watch the match and watch you at the agreed time as well. As usual, you put the fans first.”
Featured image: Publicity pictures
Audio
Oasis Live ’27 – what to expect if you’re successful for ticket registration in Manchester
Emily Sergeant
It’s go time… fans have started receiving ticket codes for Oasis Live ’27, so here is everything we know about the process so far.
In case you need bringing up to speed a little first, it was announced last week, following the unprecedented success of the reunion tour, Oasis Live ’25, last year – including five nostalgia-drenched gigs at Manchester’s Heaton Park – that Oasis would be hitting the road once again in 2027, and this time around, they’re going BIG.
We’re talking 11 nights at the Etihad Stadium and a return to the iconic grounds of Knebworth for six special shows there too, kind of ‘big’.
The iconic Manchester band will also be taking to a range of other world-famous stages across the globe, including five nights at Glasgow’s Celtic Park, and major cities like Barcelona, Amsterdam, Paris, Rome, and Las Vegas.
Fans have started receiving ticket codes for Oasis Live ’27 in Manchester / Credit: Joshua Halling (Supplied) | The Manc Group
If you’re reading this, you’ll probably know by now that tickets are being sold through a strict fan registration process this year – with no general onsale and only successful registrants even invited to try and buy them.
Prices will be fixed, however, meaning fans will be able to snap up a ticket for as little as £74.60 for seated tickets, with seats then costing up to £266.60, including fees.
Standing tickets will be priced at either £173.60 or £206.60, and there are also hotel packages, coach packages, and VIP packages available.
And today’s the day that lucky fans have started receiving the codes and information they need to be in with a chance of securing tickets to next year’s hugely anticipated tour.
The all-important email being sent out to fans reads: “You have been selected to receive a unique code to access the onsale for the Oasis Live ’27 dates at [relevant venue]. Codes do not guarantee tickets, which are limited and subject to availability.
“To reduce waiting times, onsales will be staggered across three days – Friday 25, Saturday 26, and Sunday 27 September 2026, with three on sale windows per day. Don’t worry, each ticket sale will have its own portion of tickets for all Manchester dates, across all ticket types and prices
“You have been assigned a unique code for the [specific time] onsale on [specific date].”
The email also clearly informs fans that there is a limit of four tickets per code, and that codes have no cash value either, meaning they are non-transferable, case-sensitive, and can only be used once by the email address they were sent to.
More information and ticket price breakdowns can be found here.
Featured Image – Joshua Halling (Press Picture – Supplied)
Audio
Oasis warn fans of scams ahead of Live ’27 tour ticket codes being sent out
Emily Sergeant
Oasis have issued an official scam warning to fans ahead of ticket codes being sent out from today.
In case you need bringing up to speed a little, it was announced last week, following the unprecedented success of the reunion tour, Oasis Live ’25, last year – including five nostalgia-drenched gigs at Manchester’s Heaton Park – Oasis would be hitting the road once again in 2027, and this time around, they’re going BIG.
We’re talking 11 nights at the Etihad Stadium and a return to the iconic grounds of Knebworth for six special shows there too, kind of ‘big’.
“As ticket information and unique codes are about to be distributed, please remain vigilant. Scammers may attempt to impersonate Oasis, our mailing list, or our ticketing partners. Anyone promising you a code that does not come directly from Oasis is not genuine.
“Any codes that are offered for sale are fraudulent and will not enable you to buy tickets. Code emails will be sent only between Thursday 24 September and Sunday 27 September.”
So, if you are one of the lucky ones, what do you need to be looking out for? Well, if you have been randomly selected to receive a unique code, as mentioned, your email will come only from [email protected], and will use the name and email address you registered with, as well as contain a ‘unique, personal, and non-transferable’ code.
The codes will come direct you to Ticketmaster, and nowhere else.
Do not respond to any message that asks you to pay for a ticket code, any that request your password or card details, pressures you to make a payment, or directs you to a website other than the official Ticketmaster site.
“Please check your junk/spam folder for genuine emails, but remain vigilant,” the warning continued.
“If you receive a suspicious message, do not click any links or make any payment. Resale tickets will not be available until nearer the events and will only be available at the price originally paid through Ticketmaster and Twickets.
Daisy Jackson -
8th December 2022 
