Sport

Everything you need to know about the Manchester City Parade 2023 – times, parade route, road closures, and more

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 12th June 2023

The city centre will be painted sky blue this evening as Manchester City are set to celebrate their treble title-winning season.

In case you somehow missed it, Manchester City made history this past weekend.

On what was a humid summer’s night in Istanbul on Saturday, Pep Guardiola‘s men fought hard in the Champions League final to clinch a 1-0 win over Italian side Inter Milan, and although it ended up being a much harder challenge than many seemed to be expecting, a decisive goal in the 68th minute by midfielder Rodri secured the Citizens the biggest title in European football.

Not only was it a historic moment for the club and fans, as the Champions League was the only major title missing from their ever-growing trophy cabinet, but it was also a historic moment in general, as City became only the second English side to claim this coveted domestic treble.

2022/23 will always be remembered as the season the Sky Blues took home the Premier League title, the FA Cup, and the Champions League.

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And tonight, the lads are set to show all three trophies off to their tens of thousands of fans.

As always when teams claim historic victories like this, a whole host of events are planned for fans to suitably celebrate – with an open-top bus parade right through the heart of Manchester hat ends with the players, manager, and staff taking to the stage to greet the crowds all set to take over the city centre this evening.

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From parade routes, to event times, road closures, and more, here’s everything you need to know about Manchester City’s treble-winning title parade.

Manchester City lifting the Premier League and FA Cup trophies / Credit: Manchester City (via Facebook)

Open-top bus parade route

The open-top bus tour through Manchester city centre is always the headline-grabbing highlight of any title parade, with tens of thousands of fans all coming together to line the streets and celebrate as their heroes show off their shiny trophies.

Manchester City has published a handy map of the open-top bus parade route this year.

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Manchester City open-top bus parade route 2023 / Credit: Manchester City

Pep Guardiola and the squad will depart from Tonman Street at around 6:30pm and travel down Deansgate, before turning right on to St Mary’s Gate, continuing past Marks and Spencer, and then turning right on to Cross Street.

At the junction of King Street, the bus will then turn left towards Brown Street and work its way along Brown Street, Booth Street, and Nicholas Street until it reaches George Street.

It will travel down George Street until it reaches Princess Street.

Road closures

We all know by know that title parades do tend to cause a bit of disruption across the city centre, with many major thoroughfares being shut off – and this year is no different, as Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has now confirmed which roads will be closed as part of the parade route and stage show.

Not only that, but TfGM has also confirmed timings for road closures, as well as travel advice, so fans, commuters, and city centre residents can plan ahead.

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6am Sunday 11 June – 6am Tuesday 13 June

  • Oxford Street – Mount Street to Chepstow /Portland St
  • Hall Street – Bale Street to Oxford Street

12pm (midday) to 12am (midnight) on Monday 12 June

  • Portland Street – Oxford Street to Princess Street
  • Oxford Street – Portland to Whitworth
  • Chepstow – Great Bridgewater to Oxford Road

12pm (midday) to 9pm on Monday 12 June

  • Deansgate – Liverpool Road to Blackfriars Street

2pm to 9pm on Monday 12 June

  • St Mary Gate – Deansgate to Market Street
  • Market Street – St Mary’s Gate to Cross Street
  • Cross Street – Market Street to Albert Square

3pm to 10pm on Monday 12 June

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  • King Street – Cross Street to Brown Street
  • Brown Street – King Street to Booth Street
  • Booth Street – Brown Street to Mosley Street
  • Nicholas Street – Mosley Street to Faulkner Street
  • George Street – Charlotte Street to Princess Street
  • Princess Street – Cooper Street to George Street
  • Back George Street – Princess Street to Dickinson Street
  • Dickenson Street – back George Street to George Street
Manchester City lifting the Champions League trophy / Credit: Manchester City

Stage show and entertainment

As well as the open-top bus parade, a live stage show will also take place on Oxford Street, with onstage entertainment starting at 5:30pm.

The parade will be hosted by Manchester City’s City Square presenters Danny Jackson and Natalie Pike, who’ll also be joined by former players and special guests, and there’ll also be live music from bands and DJs, as well as three DJ booths dotted across the parade route.

The entrance to the parade stage viewing area is accessible via Oxford Street and Portland Street from 5pm, and all fans will be searched before entering.

As this is a non-ticketed event, Manchester City is advising fans arrive early to get the best possible viewing experience, but don’t worry if you can’t secure the best view in the house, as there’ll also be screens on Oxford Street, Chepstow Street, and Portland Street showing all the action on stage.

The players are expected to arrive on stage at around 7:30pm.

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The team and manager Pep Guardiola with the Champions League trophy / Credit: Manchester City

What is the Council saying?

As they have done in previous years, Manchester City Council has been working together with Manchester City and external partners to ensure the parade runs as smoothly as possible so that fans can properly enjoy the celebrations.

“Winning the treble, crowned with an historic first Champion’s League triumph, is an incredible achievement,” Cllr Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council said ahead of the event.

“We extend our congratulations on behalf of the city to the club and its fans.

“We’re sure the parade will be a joyous and unforgettable occasion as fans gather in the city centre to celebrate with the team a success which will resonate around the world and showcases once again Manchester’s huge sporting legacy.”

Read more:

Find out more on the Manchester City website here.

Featured Image – Shaun Botterill (Getty via Manchester City)

Sport

Marcus Rashford reportedly sheds light on his future

Danny Jones Danny Jones Marcus Rashford Manchester United future transfer updates

Manchester United star and current Aston Villa loanee Marcus Rashford has reportedly shed some light on his future, i.e. whether or not it remains at Old Trafford.

Wythenshawe’s world-famous winger and England international has spent the last few months on loan at Villa after being sidelined by Man United head coach Ruben Amorim.

Since arriving in Birmingham, he’s managed to discover some of the form that made him one of the Premier League‘s most talented players and still one of the most sought-after in Europe, registering four goals and 5 assists in 16 games under new manager Unai Emery.

Having already labelled him ‘one of the world’s dangerous attackers’ before his arrival at Villa Park was confirmed, going on to insist that he is steadily “regaining confidence”, it’s clear that his new gaffer would happily keep and it seems like Rashford now feels a permanent move elsewhere might suit him.

While BBC Sport’s Simon Stone reported that Rashford is “not in any hurry” to decide where he goes next, the football writer and reliable transfer source did note that the 27-year-old at least “feels it is unlikely he will play for Manchester United again under Ruben Amorim.”

It is thought that the Portuguese ex-midfielder and former Sporting CP boss had taken issue with Rashford over his effort levels in training and application in games, the suggestion being that the lifelong Red Devil wasn’t quite buying into his ideas.

As a result, Stone goes on to add that “while his United contract is due to run until 2028, and it is not completely out of the question Rashford might return, sources close to the player do not see an obvious way back into the Old Trafford fold.”

Not unlike the situation between Erik ten Hag and Jadon Sancho, with the fellow forward being ousted from the squad following a fall-out, leadership might prove a similar obstacle in this case as well.

That being said, and given the fact that Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS are looking to build around their new manager as opposed to starting from square one yet again, a reconciliation between Amorim and Rashford would be required. Given how much he’s enjoying his football at Villa, it seems doubtful.

What little we do know regarding Rashford‘s future is that he looks to have ruled out a move to London and would prefer to settle at a team playing Champions League football, with Aston Villa in with a strong chance of finishing in the European places once again.

Villa are said to have an option buy clause worth around £40 million; other continental clubs said to still be interested in his signature include Barcelona and PSG.

Meanwhile, Rashford staying or going could also play into how aggressively United pursue a potential deal for Matheus Cunha, who incidentally also wears the number 10.

You can watch the highlights from Rashford’s last game against familiar rivals Manchester City, in which he grabbed yet another goal for Villa, down below. He could have had two, were it not for the post…

Do you think Rashford should try and make a Villa move permanent, return home or look elsewhere?

Read more:

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Loco Steve (via Flickr)/Aston Villa (screenshot via YouTube)

Sport

Manchester Marathon 2025 guide – all you need to know about the ‘UK’s biggest day of running’

Danny Jones Danny Jones Manchester Marathon guide 2025 important info

It’s nearly here… The 2025 adidas Manchester Marathon is just days away, and the mix of pre-race nerves, excitement and general hysteria is palpable, so much so that the only way we can think to calm both us and all you lot down is putting together a helpful guide.

Take no notice of those anticipatory jitters: don’t worry, they’re completely natural, but it’s worth reminding you that the Manchester Marathon is known worldwide not only as one of the flattest and fastest in Europe but also one of the most well-attended and fun to run full stop.

With London’s counterpart taking place simultaneously, the Manchester Marathon this Sunday, 27 April, is set to make up the single biggest day of running in UK history – what a thing to be part of.

All the hard work’s been done, you’re coming towards the end of the taper; supporters, we hope your homemade signs are primed and ready; there’s just one long run left, so with that in mind, here’s all the important info you need to know for this year’s Manchester Marathon.

2025 Manchester Marathon – everything you need to know

How about we start with the start times, eh?

MCR Marathon waves – colours, times and more

By now, those of you taking part should have all received/picked up your event packs, including your bib number and wave colour.

These are essential not only in order for your chip time to be recorded but for you to enter the start process before you actually begin your marathon and, of course, for your loved ones to track your progress throughout the day. Here’s where you need to be at what time, depending on your wave:

manchester marathon start times
manchester marathon waves
You can also find info on your pacers HERE. (Credit: Manchester Marathon)

2025 Manchester Marathon route

Now, the main headline this year is that the Manchester Marathon has a brand-new finish line, with the annual race relocating from the home stretch near the Emirates Old Trafford Cricket Ground to the iconic Oxford Road.

Wrapping up proceedings in the shadow of one of the city’s most beautiful buildings, we can’t think of a more picturesque place for a box office finish.

You can see a quick run-through of the route down below:

A section of this year’s route will even be named after Jamie Lang.

Refill stations, toilets and bag drop

As for the points where you’ll be able to grab extra fluids and even back-up HIGH5 energy gels, there will be a total of eight water stations throughout the marathon, spread out as evenly as possible across the various parts of Greater Manchester that the route runs through.

There will be portable toilets available at every single water stop in case of emergencies too, and there is also a full map of where to find them.

As for bag drop, a new system is in place for the 2025 Manchester Marathon, with belongings from each wave being carefully loaded onto separate lorries and transported from the initial drop point near the starting area over towards the finish line, saving your tired little legs from doing any extra work.

Participants will first drop their bags off near the front of Manchester United’s Old Trafford Stadium, on Wharfside Way – it’s recommended you arrive at least 45 minutes before your actual start time – before being given a wristband and picking them up over at the Oxford Road finish line. More info HERE.

There is an even more comprehensive participants’ guide available too.

Fan zones, cheer points and activities

As for this year’s dedicated Manchester Marathon fan zones and cheer points, you’ll find popular spectator hotspots, including the Deansgate Interchange, the Chester Road strip leading up past Stretford Mall and a main section of Chorlton’s high street, just to name a few.

Thankfully, you can find lots more tips on where to cheer on your friends and family via the online Supporter Hub, including help when it comes to tracking them.

In addition to the multiple signposted junctures and atmosphere hubs seen in the virtual route tour above, with more live music and festivities from artists, charities and local organisations than ever, the 2025 equivalent of previous years’ event village comes in the form of an all-new fan zone on Oxford Rd.

An all-day fan zone is being set up for the 2025 Manchester Marathon with freebies for runners
Find out more about what those taking part and cheering from the sidelines can enjoy in and around the action.

It’s also worth noting that the new ‘Adizero: For The Fast‘ pop-up will be open all the way from Thursday, 24 April to race day at Impossible Bar on Peters Street in the city centre.

The space is open to all and will host shake-out runs, exclusive product ranges, panel discussions and a variety of other activities; a collaborative adidas and Made Running cheer point will also be located at the one-mile mark on the corner of Deansgate.

If, for whatever reason, you can’t help line the streets yourself on the day, then you’ll be glad to hear that you can watch the whole thing online via a livestream on the Manchester Marathon YouTube channel – including Atherton’s very own Olympian getting the runners underway.

MCR Marathon road closures

As for the part of the city, Trafford and other sections of Greater Manchester that will be impacted by the Manchester Marathon road closures, here at the key points to know:

Parts of Oxford Road, Hulme Street, Grafton Street and other city centre streets will shut from 8am on Saturday and noon before the race on Sunday. As for the event itself, the route will go on to shut down the likes of Deansgate, Chester Road, and various other sections of road from 4am onwards.

You can find a full guide along with specific timings for each road closure HERE.

Further travel advice and public transport info

Last but not least, if you’re travelling into or across the city region for the action, Transport for Greater Manchester have recommended using our brilliant Bee Network to get around wherever possible.

Not only will this help reduce congestion in and around the city limits, but it also helps contribute to the adidas Manchester Marathon’s commitment to making the event as green as possible.

There are plenty of park and ride facilities at your disposal, and TfGM have also put together an interactive map for you to consult when planning your journey:

Read more:

Final housekeeping

Now, we’re not trying teach you how to suck eggs, but it goes without saying that you should eliminate all panics possible, so get those phones, smart watches earphones and so on charged up, get your safety pins sorted early and so on.

Make sure you take in plenty of carbs for those much-needed energy stores in the days leading up to the race, lots of water too, not to mention as much rest and actual sleep as possible.

As for active preparation, you don’t need to be doing much more than a casual 5k jog or some light exercise in the last few days before the actual race – a steady little shakeout run the day prior at most. Lastly, ensure your race kit is washed and ready because a wardrobe dilemma is the last thing you need.

No matter what happens on the day, we’re already so proud of you all, whether you’re a returning runner, a first-timer, a dedicated fundraiser, or even just walking those magnificent 26.2 miles. Now go and SMASH it and we’ll see you for a refreshing reward at the pub!

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For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — adidas Manchester Marathon (supplied)

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