The Emirates Old Trafford cricket ground has addressed claims that the venue was ‘dangerously overcrowded’ at recent concerts.
The Manchester venue has hosted Harry Styles, The Killers and Red Hot Chilli Peppers in the last few weeks as the city’s huge summer of music kicked off in earnest.
With crowds of up to 50,000 for live music event, it’s one of the region’s largest venues.
But fans say their recent gig experiences have been marred by poor organisation and overcrowding.
Dozens of negative reviews and complaints have been filed online from the Emirates Old Trafford cricket ground, saying it’s been ‘overcrowded’, ‘poorly staffed and unsafe’.
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Credit: Emirates Old Trafford Cricket Ground
The venue has since insisted that ‘guest safety will always be at the heart of the events’ held there.
One video shared by a gig-goer showed a person slumped over on a tarpaulin while another appeared to argue with a steward.
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They wrote: “I cannot believe you sold this many tickets and didn’t even check who had seating. I had to help people get out because your stewards were brushing them off as drunk when having a panic attack.”
Someone else wrote on Twitter: “@EmiratesOT is the worst stadium I have ever been too. Awful organisation, poorly staffed and imo unsafe. Lucky not to get trampled on whilst leaving a gig. Overcrowded.”
Another said: “Worst venue I’ve ever attended. Nearly got crushed. Leaving one SINGLE gate unattended for everyone getting in and out. The stewards attitude was disgusting. No crowd control at all. Clearly oversold.”
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On TripAdvisor, one person wrote: “Amazed a venue in 2022 could be so dangerous. Massively oversold for the size. From the second you clear security it was absolute chaos and people trapped with no where to move around. Completely trapped and more and more fans pouring in behind.
“We witnessed numerous fans come into medical trouble and the untrained staff just waved them away as if they were drunk. Disabled and families had no way of getting to seating area. Nowhere near enough exits. And then stopping people exiting after the show! If an incident were to have happened this would have been a disaster.”
Another reviewer claimed: “If I could give minus I would! Avoid this venue at all costs if attending a concert. Just been to see the Red Hot Chill Peppers and I can honestly say I have never been to a worse venue.
“The organisation was a complete disgrace. They dangerously oversold it and packed so many people in there was no room to move. Anywhere!!
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“We attend gigs regularly all up and down the UK and I have never experienced anything like this! If this is how they run all concerts then it’s a disaster waiting to happen.
“If you want to see your favourite artist perform pick another venue on the tour – one that knows how to run such an event safely. I will never go back there.”
A spokesperson for Emirates Old Trafford said: “All events at Emirates Old Trafford are reviewed continuously to improve the guest experience by working alongside all stakeholders that are involved.
“Our guest safety will always be at the heart of the events we host at Emirates Old Trafford.”
Featured image: The Manc Group
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Manchester Marathon found fresh community fund following milestone charitable efforts
Danny Jones
The Manchester Marathon has begun a new community fund following more than a decade of incredible charity efforts.
Known as the Trafford Active Fund for the last 10 years or so, the initiative covers not only the city and its wider boroughs’ annual 26.2-mile long race, but various other sports and activity-based schemes across the region.
Now, though, the fresh Manc Marathon Fund is evolving in partnership with the existing Trafford Moving Fund and MCRactive arm of Manchester City Council by expanding its vital charity work further afield than ever before.
Launching ahead of the 2026 event this spring, runners will once again be behind crucial funding across the Greater Manchester region and beyond.
The new Manchester Marathon Community Fund logo (Credit: Supplied)
For context, back in 2024, the MCR Marathon raised nearly £30 million for the local economy and roughly £3.7m for charities like the Alzheimer’s Society; last April, that figure surpassed more than £4m, and the fundraising numbers only continue to increase with every year.
With that in mind, more than £60k is distributed to various partner programmes that “inspire movement, improve wellbeing, and create meaningful change for local people”.
Moving forward, not only will £1 from every paid entry into the Manchester Marathon and Manchester Half continue to go directly into the Manchester Marathon Community Fund (MMCF).
Andrew Smith, Chief Executive of A.S.O. UK – organisers of the MCR Marathon and Half – said: “We’re incredibly proud of the positive impact the Trafford Active Fund has delivered locally over the years, and we’re excited to extend that impact across both Trafford and Manchester City [Centre].
“By broadening our reach, the MMCF will help even more people to get active and contribute to a legacy of movement and wellbeing. Our relationship with Trafford remains as strong as ever, and we look forward to continuing to support the brilliant community projects that make a real difference there.”
Community groups and projects in Trafford or the City of Manchester can apply for funding via the Trafford Moving Fund and MCR Active (dependent on their location).
A panel from each organisation reviews applications and selects projects that best demonstrate lasting impact.
We share stories from funded projects throughout the year, so you can see the difference your event entry makes.
We love how much the North West regularly dedicates its charitable efforts, both socially and physically, towards important causes throughout the year.
Featured Images — Press shots (supplied via Manchester Marathon/ASO UK)
News
North West water bills to see the biggest average increase of anywhere in the country in 2026
Emily Sergeant
Water bills in the North West are set to see the biggest increase in 2026 on average.
It has been announced that household water bills in England and Wales will rise by an average of 5.4% overall – which works out to around £33 a year, or approximately £2.70 per month – from April, which is said to be two percentage points above December’s official inflation figure… but when you look closer at the North West, that percentage rises from 5.4% to 9%.
The average United Utilities water bill is set to sit at £660 annually in 2026-27, with that being an increase of £57 from the previous year – the largest increase of anywhere else in the country.
Water UK says the nationwide rise in bills reflects the ‘significant investment’ being put towards upgrading water infrastructure.
More than two million households currently receive help with their water bills. An extra 300,000 households are expected to receive support in 2026-27. Find out more: https://t.co/DSDpAmawX8pic.twitter.com/N2LFpjxEQE
Water companies are said to be currently in the process of delivering a £104 billion investment programme to secure the nation’s water supplies, support economic growth, and end sewage entering our rivers and seas.
The money raised by water bills can only be used to fund infrastructure that is independently determined to be ‘new, necessary, and value for money’.
The regulator says United Utilities will begin a £3 billion upgrade in 2026 of the 110 km Haweswater Aqueduct, which carries 570 million litres of water every day to 2.5 million people in Cumbria, Lancashire, and Greater Manchester (or nearly 5% of England’s population), hence water bills increasing at a higher rate to other areas.
North West water bills are set to see the biggest average increase in 2026 / Credit: Raibeart MacAoidh (via Geograph)
“We understand increasing bills is never welcome, but the money is needed to fund vital upgrades to secure our water supplies, support economic growth and end sewage entering our rivers and seas,” explained David Henderson, who is the Chief Executive at Water UK.
“While we urgently need investment in our water and sewage infrastructure, we know that for many this increase will be difficult.
“That is why we will help around 2.5 million households – more than ever before – with average discounts of around 40% off their water bill.”
More than two million households currently receive help with their bills through social tariffs, the WaterSure scheme, and other affordability measures, and an extra 300,000 households are expected to receive support in 2026-27, taking the total number to around 2.5 million.
Those who are struggling should contact their water company to see what help is available, as support can often be tailored to individual circumstances.
Daisy Jackson -
28th June 2022 
