We think you’ll be hard-pressed to find another place that combines basketball, tennis, boules, beer, light bites and a slice of the beach all in place, but Courts Club have somehow managed to cram all of those into one exciting spot.
Opening to the public on Friday, 19 July, Courts Club is the brand-new social venue from the Shiko Group (the same team that brought you Lawn Club, Side Street Studios, Foley’s and more), which has somehow thrown together court sports, a bar and a beer garden without it feeling shoehorned in.
The concept might sound a little contrived at first glance but after sampling it for ourselves, we can confirm it all just works and this place feels not only like a fun new place to keep active, but a unique little hideaway tucked behind a couple of Spinningfields skyscrapers.
Honestly, come on, when have you ever stumbled across a place like this in the city centre before?
As you can see, the latest addition to the gradually blossoming St John’s district located just down the road from the main Deansgate strip is a sports club up on paper, but it only takes five minutes to realise that it’s much more than that.
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Beyond the squeaky clean multi-purpose surface that doubles as both a basketball and a tennis court, you’ll find a little sandy pitch to play boules, tunes, deckchairs and benches aplenty to sit with a drink when the sun’s out, as well as a large beer hall stacked with a great selection of soft and alcoholic drinks.
There are even two big tellies, one inside and one out, which would have been the perfect spot to watch the Euros or Wimbledon but will certainly be where we try and catch the Olympics this year. It almost feels like someone picked up a bit of Miami or LA and dropped it in the middle of town.
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Shiko has routes in Manchester and in one of our sister cities, Leeds, so it’s no wonder they’ve nailed yet another cool venue to meet people, enjoy activities or just kick back and relax – they’re pros at this kind of stuff.
Speaking of kicking your feet up and chilling, the food and drinks selection here is another big plus, with fresh pastries, salads and sandwiches to fuel for a game of doubles, lots of refreshing tins of fizzy pop to keep you going, and refreshing beers, wines or spritzes to reward yourself after sinking a three-pointer.
In fact, if you fancy your chances shooting from deep, they’re giving away £500 to the first person who can shoot a bucket from half-court by the end of July. The race is on.
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The menu is also looking excellent, with super light and seasonal sandwiches, salads a cheeky little cheese toastie (because why not?) or just a combo of a few bits if you fancy a munch of everything.
We can honestly see ourselves spending just as much time sitting back, soaking up some rays with an Aperol and watching people play as we can actually running about ourselves, and that’s exactly why we like the vibe here so much already. Give it a try for yourselves and you’ll see what we mean.
Etihad Stadium showcases City Hall, the new beating heart of Manchester City match days
Lonnie Bowes
There’s a particular kind of Manchester buzz you only get pitch-side. If you’re a seasoned Cityzen this one’s for you – one of three major new hospitality options for your next game day at the Etihad Stadium.
Tucked in the heart of the new Pep Guardiola Stand, directly behind the goal, we have the brand-new City Hall.
City Hall is built for people who actually want to watch football in comfort, and with a massive 500 capacity hall a stone’s throw from the pitch, it’s a hard one to pass up.
Doors open a full two hours before the match, and that early access turns the day into an occasion rather than a scramble.
There’s time to properly soak up the atmosphere in what is a genuinely lively, buzzing bar, and I have to say potentially one of the best I’ve come across on a match day.
Food and drink are where the local flavour really comes through. The street food menu leans into Manchester’s own identity with a modern twist.
The catering is relaxed and doesn’t take itself too seriously, let’s just say having a chip barm and chicken madras pie on the run-up to a kick-off is my idea of heaven.
Every guest gets an inclusive drink as part of your booking, too. You get to pick from a selected wine, beer or soft drink which you can claim at any point during your visit.
It’s a setup that suits everyone, whether you’re in it for a proper pre-match pint with your mates or meal with your family before a day of making pitch side memories.
The little touches matter too. A matchday programme is a nice, old-school addition in an era where so much matchday content has gone digital.
And crucially, the experience doesn’t end at the final whistle: with an hour’s access after the match, there’s no need to bolt for the exits the second the referee blows for full-time. You can sit and finish your drink, and let the ground empty out around you instead of fighting through it.
Put it all together and City Hall feels like hospitality done with an actual sense of place.
Manchester street food, a proper buzzing bar, and one of the best seats in the house, all wrapped around a schedule that respects the fact that match day is about more than just the 90 minutes.
For anyone looking to upgrade how they watch City this season, it’s well worth a look.
Have a look and make a booking at City Hall at the Etihad Stadium HERE.
The road to the Super League Grand Final at Old Trafford has been confirmed
Daisy Jackson
The road to one of the biggest nights in rugby league has officially been mapped out, with the 2026 Betfred Super League Grand Final set to return to Manchester’s Old Trafford this October.
Following the final round of regular-season action, the four play-off ties have now been confirmed as the battle for a place at the home of Manchester United enters its final stages.
And there’s plenty for Greater Manchester sports fans to get excited about.
Wigan Warriors have secured the League Leaders’ Shield after an emphatic 50-12 victory over Catalans Dragons, with Matt Peet’s side running in nine tries to finish top of the table.
The result keeps Wigan’s hopes of an incredible treble alive, having already lifted the Betfred Challenge Cup back in May.
They’ll now have a week off while the opening play-off ties take place, as will second-placed Leeds Rhinos.
The first eliminator sees Wakefield Trinity welcome Leigh Leopards on Friday 18 September, with kick-off at 8pm.
Then, on Saturday 19 September, Warrington Wolves take on Hull KR at 5.30pm.
The winners of those games will progress to the semi-finals, while the losing sides will face the two highest-ranked teams in the competition.
The road to the Super League Grand Final at Old Trafford has been confirmed. Credit: Simon Wilkinson/SWpix.com
Leeds will host the highest-ranked eliminator loser on Friday 25 September at 8pm.
Then, 24 hours later, Wigan will welcome the lowest-ranked loser to the Brick Community Stadium for their semi-final, with that one kicking off at 5.30pm on Saturday 26 September.
For Wigan, it represents a huge opportunity to take another step towards an historic treble – and ultimately a return to Old Trafford.
The Grand Final itself takes place on Saturday 3 October, with the action getting underway at 6pm.
As ever, the biggest prize in Super League will be decided under the lights at Old Trafford, with the two remaining sides battling it out in front of what is expected to be another huge crowd in Manchester.
Danny Jones -
19th July 2024 
