Manchester City is set to host the Barclays Women’s Super League Manchester derby at the Etihad Stadium later this season, and tickets are selling fast.
With the 2022/23 football season now well underway, and following what has been a summer to remember for the women’s game, Manchester City’s team of superstars have got a huge run of fixtures lined-up – but they’re already looking forward to the upcoming Manchester derby this December, and are set to welcome thousands of cheering fans to the Etihad Stadium as they face their local red rivals.
And with family tickets from just £18 for a family of four*, and the match taking place in the run-up to Christmas, it’s an ideal day out.
It will be the third time Manchester City’s women’s first team have played at the Etihad Stadium, and the second time the WSL Manchester derby has been held there too.
Although the Academy Stadium is the women’s team’s home stadium, City hosted Everton at the Etihad Stadium back in May 2014, before welcoming Manchester United in September 2019 and clinching a 1-0 win in front of a then WSL record crowd – and what still remains a club record – of 31,213 fans.
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Derby matches are always known for having that extra competitive edge, especially in a city that’s as football obsessed asManchester.
And this upcoming game looks set to be no different.
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Manchester City is set to host the Barclays Women’s Super League Manchester derby at the Etihad Stadium / Credit: Lewis Storey & Tom Flathers / Manchester City (via Getty Images)
A derby win is the chance to claim some bragging rights, the chance to feel a sense of pride in the shirt you’re wearing, and crucially, the chance to paint the city red or blue.
Manchester City Women’s head coach Gareth Taylor said the upcoming WSL Manchester derby is “something to look forward to this season”, and the fact that it’s being held at the Etihad Stadium is “amazing news” for the team.
“For the derby at the Academy Stadium earlier this year, it was amazing to see a sell-out crowd there and the demand for tickets was unbelievable,” he explained.
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“A Manchester derby always has a little added spice, but to bring it back to the Etihad again – especially with the growth of the league over the last few seasons – will bring it to another level.”
It’ll be the third time Manchester City’s women’s first team have played at the Etihad Stadium / Credit: Tom Flathers / Manchester City (via Getty Images)
Manchester City’s longtime captain Steph Houghton is also relishing the chance to face up to our cross-town rivals at the Etihad this season, and added that playing in the derby in front of over 31,000 people back in 2019 was one of her favourite moments in her City career “without a doubt”.
“The atmosphere that the fans created was just amazing and it was a day to remember for all of us who were involved,” Houghton recalled.
“As much as the Academy Stadium is our home and it was just incredible to see it sold out for the derby last season, having a bigger venue such as the Etihad Stadium will hopefully allow people who missed out last time to experience our Manchester derby in all its glory.”
Derby matches are always known for having that extra competitive edge / Credit: Tom Flathers / Manchester City (via Getty Images)
Manchester City will face Manchester United in the Barclays WSL Manchester derby on Sunday 11 December 2022 – with kick-off at 12:30pm.
Tickets to the highly-anticipated match are now available from £8 for adults and from £1 for under-18s, and you can get them on the Manchester City websitehere.
You can also grab tickets to any of the women’s first team home gameshere.
Featured Image – Tom Flathers / Getty Images (via Manchester City)
*Dependent on ticket availability and stadium seat location.
Featured Image – Tom Flathers / Getty Images (via Manchester City)
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Smirnoff teams up with Co-op Live for new Summer Series
Danny Jones
Smirnoff, the world’s number-one vodka brand not to mention a leading force in wider music culture, has officially partnered with Co-op Live to mark the opening of the new state-of-the-art venue and its debut calendar.
The partnership will see the new ‘Co-op Live Summer Series presented by Smirnoff‘ run until 13 September 2024. As part of the collaboration, the vodka brand will surprise and delight guests visiting the venue with great-tasting drinks and the ultimate night out, with VIP packages and more.
Co-op Live has curated a stacked lineup of popular bands, singers and entertainers, including some of the biggest names in music, who are set to perform at Europe’s largest indoor entertainment venue.
Starting the Summer Series off with a bang presented by Smirnoff celebrations, the brand is offering friends a chance to win tickets to see their favourite stars perform live, hosted by celebrities including TV favourite Callum Jones, as well as social media and makeup virtuoso Mitchell Halliday.
Alongside their hosts, winners will enjoy access to the exclusive Decibel Club and enjoy the concert from a private suite hosted by Smirnoff, fully immersing themselves in the ultimate venue experience. Competition details (18+ only) can be found on Smirnoff’s Instagram page.
Attendees at the 23,500 capacity Co-op Live arena will have the opportunity to choose from a range of Smirnoff favourites, including Smirnoff Raspberry Crush, Smirnoff Mango and Passionfruit Twist, Smirnoff No.21 and more.
These drinks will be available to guests over 18 at bars and grab-and-go stations throughout the venue, including the Smirnoff Founders Bar. Guests can also try the newest addition to the range, Smirnoff Spicy Tamarind, at the bar located on the concourse – fingers crossed there’ll be plenty of sun too.
There is a unique must-try experience for all gig attendees: a 360-photo booth on Level 3, where guests can use fun props to snap the best and most high-end selfies they’ve ever taken, and have a chance to get their tickets upgraded that evening.
Operated by holding group Diaego, the aim of Smirnoff’s Co-op Live Summer Series is to reflect the vodka brand’s ongoing commitment to making music more accessible to everyone.
Smirnoff recently rolled out its ‘WE DO US’ campaign, activated through a series of initiatives that aim to reignite social connections and lower barriers to socialising.
Tyler Monk, Smirnoff Brand Manager at Diageo Great Britain, said: “Smirnoff is on a mission to make music more accessible and create unforgettable experiences that bring people together through live music. We’re proud to partner with Co-op Live and be part of Manchester’s vibrant music scene, offering great-tasting Smirnoff drinks, music, and unique experiences to a wider audience.”
Check the website for the full schedule of events at Co-op Live HERE.
Featured Images — Smirnoff (supplied)/The Manc Group
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Printworks adds running track, Sir Mo Farah waxwork and more for Summer of Sport
Daisy Jackson
Manchester’s legendary entertainment complex, Printworks, has unveiled a packed programme of events to celebrate a Summer of Sport.
The popular city centre destination, which recently completed a staggering transformation including installing the biggest digital ceiling in Europe, has created a series of events celebrating the return of the Olympics.
Sir Mo Farah’s lifelike wax figure will be on display from Madame Tussauds in Blackpool, inviting visitors to do the Mobot and snap a selfie with the sporting great.
You’ll also be able to watch the Olympics opening ceremony live at Printworks, underneath that incredible ceiling and from the terraces of Tank & Paddle and Chiquito.
You can even play multi-player games on the big screen inside, hosted by a BBC Radio Manchester presenter.
It all kicks off this week with the Opening Ceremony Party on Friday, with free candy floss and Team GB face painting for the first 250 visitors.
Any children with Team GB face paint on will be able to get a free hot fudge sundae from Hard Rock Cafe with the purchase of a kids’ meal.
Other free events will include weekly gaming sessions, a basketball tournament, a kids’ archery class, and appearances from famous faces.
Printworks will even have a running track lined up all summer.
The digital ceiling will join in on the sporting action, dazzling visitors with animations of synchronised swimmers, athletes, cyclists and divers.
Throughout August, BBC Radio Manchester’s Remmel Dawodu will return to host free weekly interactive gaming sessions on the 1, 8 and 15 August.
You’ll also be able to witness an artist live at work, as they create a mural of an iconic sports person on 1 August.
Slam Dunk-a-Basketball will take place on the 8 August, with archery on 15 August.
The Printworks Opening Ceremony Party will take place between 3.30pm and 6pm on Friday 26 July.
Kristian Brennan, Marketing Manager at Printworks, said: “We are thrilled to offer a vibrant and engaging summer of sports for families at Printworks. Our diverse line-up of free events is designed to bring people together, celebrate athleticism and create unforgettable memories over the summer holidays.”
For more information on a Summer of Sport at Printworks, head here.