The 2023 Davis Cup is officially underway in Manchester this week and with the group stages of the Finals taking place at the iconic AO Arena, just around the corner at Cathedral Gardens, the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) has decided to turn the space into a big fan village.
And it’s all completely free to enjoy.
Cathedral Gardens becomes home to various events throughout the year — Festa Italiana, MIF, sometimes the ice rink during the Christmas Markets etc. — and so with our city hosting the Davis Cup for the first time in nearly 30 years, LTA jumped at the chance to use the space for their fan village.
The ‘World Cup of tennis’ is taking place from 12-17 September and you can make the most of this wonderful free space whilst taking in all the action right here on the home court.
Manchester’s Davis Cup fan village (Credit: LTA)
Turning the historic little corner of the city into a mini-Henman Hill, the organisers of this year’s event have posted up just behind the Corn Exchange and on the grass right outside the National Football Museum.
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As well as being able to enjoy the tournament on the big screen, which will be showing all the games played here in Manchester, you can also soak up the Davis Cup atmosphere with free-to-play mini-courts, a number of interactive booths and other activities, as well as plenty of merch and food, of course.
After popping down for Great Britain’s first game against Australia on Wednesday, 13 September, the place was packed with kids on school trips enjoying the four free courts and the deckchairs were full of people watching the big screen.
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We’ll certainly be soaking up the atmosphere on our lunch breaks for as long as it’s there, with the space open to the public from 11am-7pm every day until the competition is over.
It’s all totally free to enjoy as well (Credit: LTA/The Manc Group)
Our boys got off to a great start this week by beating last year’s runners-up 2-1 on Wednesday, with youngster Jack Draper delivering a hard-fought victory against Thanasi Kokkinakis before British number two Dan Evans dispatched Alex De Minaur with ease.
GB did lose their doubles match 7-6(5), 6-4, with this year’s Wimbledon champ Neal Skupski teaming up with an already depleted Evans, both of which still put the Aussies through their paces and nearly saw the team walk away with a clean sweep.
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We are still yet to face Switzerland (Friday) and France (Sunday) for a place in the November knockouts but after a strong round of opening fixtures and with Andy Murray restored to this year’s squad, they stand a really good chance of going all the way — the Scot seems to think so, anyway.
Speaking to media even before Wednesday’s games, the 36-year-old said, “We have a great group of guys, I love being part of this team, we’ve got great staff as well. Everyone gets on extremely well. I do genuinely believe the team can win the event.” It remains to be seen how much Murray will play.
The Tour de France is coming to Manchester
Danny Jones
It’s official: both the male and female Tour de France are coming to Greater Manchester and nine other destinations across the UK in 2027.
As one of the biggest locations on the list, it’s another big sporting landmark for us Mancs.
Confirmed on Thursday, 15 January, the men’s race and the Tour de France Femmes (TdFF) will be passing through our region next summer.
Revealing the news in an exciting announcement video on social media, you can see the other cities and towns that the world-famous endurance event will be hitting here:
With Greater Manchester boasting not only the National Cycling Centre, but having already hosted the Tour of Britain – which has passed through Altrincham on multiple ocassions – we’re well-versed when it comes to the sport.
It’s been more than a decade since the Tour de France last took place in the UK, with London and Yorkshire hosting three stages of the biggest date on the annual cycling calendar back in 2014.
Fast forward a dozen years, and not only will they both be participating again, but Great Britain will see dual Grand Départs for men and women for the very first time.
Not only are we buzzing that the racing will be returning to our friends in Leeds and Sheffield, but also nice to see other Northern regions lending their roads and stunning landscapes, such as the Lake District and wider parts of Cumbria.
You can see the full route map broken down below.
🇬🇧 Leeds, Manchester, Sheffield, London 🇬🇧
💛 Grand Départ Great Britain 2027: in the footsteps of the pioneers!
— Le Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift (@LeTourFemmes) January 15, 2026
Speaking in an official press release, race director Christian Prudhomme said: “The UK has always welcomed the Tour with passion and pride, and the route details we are revealing today reflect the beauty and diversity of Britain’s terrain.”
“Bringing both Grand Départs here is a testament to the strength of our partnership with British Cycling and the enthusiasm of the UK.”
TdFF counterpart, Marion Rousse, added: “The UK has played an important role in the history of women’s cycling, with champions such as Lizzie Deignan.
“Starting the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift in Leeds is a strong choice, closely linked to this heritage and to the enthusiasm of a public that knows and loves the Tour. These stages clearly reflect the race’s ambition: to continue growing women’s cycling and to inspire future generations.”
Sharing an official update online, the RFL wrote: “Wane, who has led England since February 2020, has taken time to reflect on the programme and believes the timing is right for new leadership to guide the team into the next phase, including the upcoming World Cup.
“During his tenure, Wane oversaw memorable series victories over Tonga in 2023 and a star-studded Samoa a year later, as well as a semi-final in the World Cup. He finishes with 14 wins from 19 matches.”
Crediting him as one of “a very small elite number of coaches to have won the full suite of domestic club honours and achieved World Club Championship success”, hailing his experience and longevity both as a player and as a coach.
As for Wane himself, he said: “It has been the honour of my life to coach England Rugby League over the last six years, but after careful reflection, I believe the time is right to step aside and allow the programme to move forward into its next chapter.
England are on the lookout for a new coach heading into the World Cup after being swept in the Ashes.
Coach Shaun Wane has reportedly resigned from the post after a disappointing 3-0 whitewash against Australia last year.
The 61-year-old ex-pro goes on to add, “The privilege of leading my country in a World Cup, an Ashes Series on home soil and securing victories over Tonga and Samoa will live long in the memory.
“I’m incredibly grateful to all the players, coaches and staff I’ve worked alongside during that time; their commitment and professionalism made those moments possible. I wish everyone involved with England Rugby League the best going forward and for the World Cup later this year.”
According to the latest reports online, St Helens boss Paul Rowley is now said to be the favourite to take over in the interim.
The 2026 Rugby League World Cup is still months away (scheduled to take place in October and November), but the governing body will want to get the new setup and coaching in place as soon as possible to prepare for the tournament.
Danny Jones -
14th September 2023 
