Derby day in the Barclays Women’s Super League is just days away and with both sides of Manchester a game in hand on league leaders Chelsea, there’s some serious leverage to play for.
With just three points separating red and blue and Manchester City on a run of eight-straight victories, it’s all set up to be a blockbuster.
Moreover, while you always know you’re in store for some top-notch football when it comes to the Manchester Women’s derby, the Etihad Campus has plenty more in store.
Here’s what you can expect from the derby day on Sunday, 11 December.
Upon arriving at the Etihad, food and drink will be available to from a number of different vendors around City Square from 10:00am, with the official welcome ceremony getting underway at 10:30.
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Presenters for the day will guide you through all of the pre-match talking points and will also be joined by legendary goalkeeper Karen Bardsley on stage, who made over a century of appearances for the club.
With both City and United boasting nine Euro 2022-winning Lionesses between them, fans can visit the Cityzens hub to have their photo taken with the trophy ahead of kick-off and even create their own Dream Team video.
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You can also get involved in a number of other activities such as penalty shootouts, table tennis and its football equivalent, ‘futtoc’ (we know at least one of you had played some form of foot tennis).
Just after the players arrive at approximately 11am and those enjoying the Blue carpet experience are cheering on their heroes as they enter the Etihad Stadium, you can also watch the Battle of the Bands, with local band Strawberry Lemonade playing live at 12pm.
Supporters on both sides are advised to make their way to their seats by 12:15 in preparation for the Etihad Campus’ exciting pre-match fireworks display, which will set the tone for a captivating encounter.
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But the matchday experience continues at half-time, with those in the crowd able to take part in a half-time quiz and even be in with the chance of winning an exclusive holiday which will be revealed on the day.
Here’s your full schedule of pre-match and half-time festivities:
Manchester Women’s derby day itinerary (Credit: Manchester City)
From drone shows to free ice lollies – what went down at Parklife 2025
Daisy Jackson
It’s been a few days since Parklife 2025 wrapped up, and now that we’ve all caught up on sleep we’re looking back on some of the highlights you might’ve missed.
With such a stacked line-up of live music, it would be impossible to have seen everything – from that sizzling final set from Charli XCX to Morgan Seatree’s emotional hometown show, plus viral sensation Interplanetary Criminal filling Matinee and D.O.D. getting the whole Big Top dancing.
One moment that you couldn’t possibly have missed if you were on the ground at Parklife festival was a surprise drone show which dazzled overhead on Saturday night.
As rap legend 50 Cent wrapped up his huge headline set on The Valley stage, and The Hangar came alive to the sound of Pawsa, fans got an extra special treat way up in the skies.
Hundreds of drones came together in an impressive, illuminated aerial display, starting with a 10-second countdown that stopped festival-goers in their tracks.
The drones then flew in formation to create iconic shapes like a yellow JD Sports duffle bag, an adidas shoebox, and the shape of a slowly-rotating Climacool trainer – and what a trainer it is.
The adidas drone show on Saturday nightadidas handed out Climacool-branded lollies and slushies50 Cent on The Valley stageadidas handed out Climacool-branded lollies and slushies
That wasn’t the only bit of attention the Climacool footwear got at Parklife either – thankful fans were treated to free Climacool branded ice lollies and slushies on their way into the festival on Saturday.
As the sun beat down on Heaton Park (bar the odd brief downpour, classic Manchester), adidas and JD Sports arrived in an ice cream truck with the coolest drop at the festival.
There was a helping hand from social media sensation Yombo to hype up the crowd before the festival had even got started.
The Climacool has a textile lining and upper work, with a perforated midsole to allow airflow and keep your feet fresh – perfect for any city adventure (and pretty perfect for a day at Parklife, we discovered).
If the Climacool trainers have caught your eye – either in the sky, at the Climacool ice cream truck, or on social media – then the good news is you can now shop them for yourselves.
Manchester bar announces huge giveaway of margaritas to celebrate first birthday
Daisy Jackson
A cocktail and shuffleboard bar in Manchester city centre is throwing a weekend-long party to celebrate its first birthday, and there are free cocktails up for grabs.
Electric Shuffle is kindly offering to give all of us presents for its birthday, with an epic free margarita giveaway.
That’s alongside an almighty party that includes resident DJs, live music performances, giveaways, exclusive offers, a cracking happy hour and a free photobooth.
The Deansgate activity bar, which has 15 interactive high-tech shuffleboards to play, each one loaded with different game modes, is celebrating one year in the city centre between Friday 20 and Sunday 22 June.
They’re throwing a three-day-long celebration, kicking off at 5pm on Friday with a giveaway of margaritas for the first 250 guests through the doors.
Then there’ll be an Electric Shuffle birthday prize game, where each slide of the puck could unlock prizes like bar tabs, brunch tickets, branded merch, cocktails, pizzas and more.
Singer-songwriter Luke McColl will be playing live during the evening, and you’ll be able to dive into a free photobooth all evening.
Electric Shuffle ManchesterFood and drink at the premium gaming barElectric Shuffle Manchester turns one
Moving on to Saturday’s celebrations – expect happy hour deals all day long, like £4 pins and £7 Sarti Spritzes, complimentary shuffleboard hire (you need to pre-book HERE), a special late brunch session between 5pm and 7pm, and more prize giveaways.
This part of the birthday party will be soundtracked by resident DJs and a live set from Elle Graham.
And if you thought that was the end of the party, you’re mistaken.
On Sunday, Electric Shuffle will host free shuffleboard all day long.
All summer, there’ll be a Margs and Margs deal, where you can get two margarita cocktails and a margarita pizza for just £25.
Electric Shuffle’s first birthday celebrations take place between 20 and 22 June.
Danny Jones -
7th December 2022 
