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.
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.”
Find out more on the Manchester City website here.
Featured Image – Shaun Botterill (Getty via Manchester City)
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Co-creator of Manchester-Blackpool bike ride hoping to reunite with fellow founders for special anniversary
Danny Jones
One of the co-creators of the much-loved Manchester to Blackpool charity bike ride is looking to reunite with some of his fellow founding members for a very special anniversary of the heartwarming event.
Way back when, Tony O’Dwyer was one of just six original riders who embarked on the bike ride from Manchester – Media City in Salford Quays, more precisely – to the Blackpool seafront, which has gone on to become a beloved and regularly frequented fundraiser.
Fast forward four decades later and not only is the annual cycling event approaching its 40th anniversary, but O’Dwyer himself is looking to take it on yet again, just four days before his 70th birthday.
Oh yeah, it’s worth mentioning he’s done it every year since the beginning – including solo during the pandemic. Simply incredible.
Go on, Tony, lad! (Credit: The Christie Charity)
To make things even more memorable, the Wigan-born bike-riding legend is calling on his fellow Manchester-Blackpool bike ride founders to join him in a momentous reunion that is both a personal celebration and one that champions the famous fundraising endurance challenge.
It may have started out as little more than half a dozen blokes setting off from Albert Square in Manchester city centre on a pretty ambitious voyage, but it’s gone on to become a North West tradition and a powerful way to support vital causes, not least of all charities like The Christie Foundation.
This year, Tony will be riding once again to raise funds for The Christie in honour of his late father, Franco O’Dwyer, who was cared for by the specialist hospital and research centre after being diagnosed with stomach cancer.
Franco sadly died 10 years ago, and Tony has been a passionate supporter of the organisation ever since, taking various fundraising challenges even beyond his usual Manchester to Blackpool bike ride.
Speaking ahead of the anniversary edition, Tony said: “I can’t believe it’s been 40 years since we first did it. Back in 1985, it was just a group of mates, a few bikes, and the road to Blackpool – we didn’t have the gear, just grit and a bit of madness!
Credit: Supplied
“We passed through Leigh, Standish, Preston, and St Annes, stopping at pubs and windmills along the way, just enjoying the journey. I’d love to reconnect with the original group – Mike, Barry, Susan, John, Margaret and Christine – it would be brilliant to see where life has taken them.”
“The first time I did the bike ride, I was in fancy dress as a lion, and I’ve done it every year since. I even did it during COVID on my own when the event was postponed, and there were others on the way doing it themselves too, which was amazing to see!”
Crediting The Christie with prolonging his father’s life and giving his family that extra precious time, he’s now proud to fly the flag for the foundation, and they have just as much love for him.
Mass participation events officer Josh Hughff added: “Tony is an incredible ambassador for the Charity and for this event. His dedication over four decades is inspiring, and we’re honoured he continues to ride in support of The Christie Charity.
“His story is a reminder of the lasting power of community, memory, and giving back.”
For anyone who’d like to join Tony and be part of ‘Team Christie’ 2025 as they head towards the seaside town’s South Promenade, you can sign up HERE.
As for those pioneers who first took on the challenge all those years ago, if you were part of that original group or know someone who was, please contact Maggie Doyle at The Christie Charity on 07717 532195.
Fingers crossed we can get the gang back together.
Featured Images — The Chrisite (supplied)/Leo C. Owen (Pexels)
Sport
Jadon Sancho set for return to Manchester United after Chelsea pay to avoid permanent signing
Danny Jones
England winger Jadon Sancho looks like he’s coming back to Manchester United, at least for the time being, following his stint at Chelsea, with the Premier League club opting to pay a penalty in order to avoid signing him full-time.
Sancho was loaned out to the UEFA Conference League winners just over a year ago after falling out with the previous Man United head coach, Erik ten Hag, playing 42 games for the West Londoners.
The naturally gifted winger, who was considered one of the hottest prospects in Europe just a few short years ago, also pulled back on a Borussia Dortmund shirt for a six-month loan spell in January 2024, but his return was never made permanent either.
In the case of Chelsea, despite having an obligation to buy Sancho when they initially signed him last summer, the deal – worth a reported £25 million – included a £5m clause which would allow them to get out of said obligation: a clause that owner Todd Boehly’s club has seemingly to have activated.
BREAKING: Jadon Sancho will return to Manchester United after failing to agree to personal terms with Chelsea 🚨 pic.twitter.com/1F55sXWoT4
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) June 3, 2025
As per the likes of The Athletic, Sancho is set for a return to MUFC and Carrington as he waits to see what the INEOS administration and new manager Ruben Amorim (who is yet to have the 25-year-old among his options since arriving at Old Trafford) do with him.
It remains to be seen whether or not the former Man City youth star will make another appearance at the Theatre of Dreams itself, but with co-owner Jim Ratcliffe said to be strapped for cash and yet still looking to bring in new players, they’ll be hoping at least fetch a decent fee for the him.
Sancho registered five goals and 10 assists during his time at Stamford Bridge, and despite perhaps not lighting the world on fire, he proved to be a useful addition to the squad and contributed in some big moments – that recent European final being the standout this season.
Nevertheless, it is believed that Chelsea were unwilling to match the salary paid by his parent club, with the one-time national team starlet said to be on weekly wages of around £300,000, according to reports.
Born in the capital himself, Sancho grew to be favoured by a sizeable portion of the supporters, and while the Man United fan base is pretty divided when it comes to Sancho coming back, there are plenty of Blues that will miss him.
Meanwhile, regardless of his return to United, Sancho being moved on rather quickly looks the most likely outcome now that the summer transfer window is open.
Emily Sergeant -
12th June 2023 
