Fans from rival Manchester football teams are being urged to take separate travel routes to the FA Cup final this weekend.
History is repeating itself and tensions are building by the day, as Manchester United and Manchester City prepare to face each other in an all-Manchester final of the Emirates FA Cup at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 25 May.
2023 was the first time the two Manchester clubs battled it out for the FA Cup title in the final in the 153-year-old football competition’s illustrious history, and it was victory for the Citizens, with the trophy forming a crucial piece of their treble-winning season… but, in what seems to be a repeating turn of events, 2024 is the year of the re-match.
And, to no surprise, it’s all set to be a massive day for football fans in our football-obsessed city.
But for those fans who are planning to make the trip down to London for the big day on Saturday, National Highways is urging them to take separate travel routes.
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Man City and Man United fans urged to take separate travel routes to FA Cup final / Credit: The FA / Manchester City (via Twitter)
With kick-off at 3pm, England’s motorways operator has set out a plan to help fans avoid traffic hold-ups before and after the crucial match.
To make it as smooth as a journey for everyone as possible, City fans travelling to the capital have been advised to use the M62 and M1 to get to Wembley, while United supporters should use the M6, M42, and the M40 instead, according to National Highways.
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Given the fact the FA Cup final this year has already sold out, this means that some 90,000 fans are expected to be heading to England‘s national stadium for the game.
Hundreds of extra coaches are being laid on to get both sets of fans to Wembley and home again, while many others are expected to drive themselves to the match either on the day, or as part of a weekend break to the capital with family and friends.
And of course, the influx of football traffic will be on top of all the rest of the journeys being made on the major motorway routes by the general public for a variety of other non-football related reasons across the weekend.
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Because of increased traffic numbers, the FA is also urging fans to “plan their journey well in advance” and “consider the options in place to support them” as a means of keeping everyone safe.
The two Manchester teams will face each other in the FA Cup final on Saturday 25 May at 3pm / Credit: The FA
National Highways has also provided travel tips for football fans.
“Our message to everyone driving down for the final is to plan their journeys carefully, follow our advice on routes, look out for incidents or congestion once they are on the road, and heed any advice on our electronic signs,” explained Gary Farrell – who is National Highways’ senior network planner for the North West.
“Stopping for regular breaks will not only help keep you fresh, but will also give you a chance to check for congestion or incidents and adjust your travel plans accordingly.”
More information on advised travel routes to Wembley ahead of the final this Saturday 25 May at 3pm can be found on the National Highways website here.
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Live traffic updates on the day of the final can be found here.
Wayne Rooney ‘agrees’ to bizarre bet ahead of 2026 FIFA World Cup quarter-finals
Danny Jones
England and Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has seemingly roped himself into a bizarre bet of his own making after yet more teams booked their place in the quarter-final stages of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
It’s not quite Gary Lineker doing Match of the Day in his underpants after Leicester won the league, level, but we’d still pay to see it.
However, after the bedlam following England booking their spot in the quarter-finals this morning (feels odd to say and we’re still not quite sure what day it is), you might be surprised to learn it has nothing to do with the Three Lions’ historic victory.
It does have to do with who they’ll be facing in their next game, though: Norway, as Rooney seemed confident enough in his prediction that the Scandinavian side wouldn’t make it into the final eight that he wagered he’d row down the River Mersey. Well, they did…
Yes, in case you missed it, the Norwegians did make it past Brazil with a 2-1 win – and, of course, more goals for Erling Haaland – before Thomas Tuchel’s side had barely even woken up for their very long day at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico.
While no one was quite sure why ‘Wazza’ was quite so confident that the ‘Seleção’ were going to go through, especially since Norway had shown just as much star power in spells in the opening four rounds, he still decided to throw down the gauntlet on himself.
As you can see in the clip above, he says he’s a “man of [his] word” and looks to have even roped in the likes of fellow former pros turned punditry colleagues on the night, Micah Richards and Joe Hart.
That being said, he did make the caveat that perhaps it would be better if the BBC could somehow sort them to sail down the Hudson River in New York instead, simply for the sake of ‘time’.
We’re not sure exactly how easy it is for the British broadcasters to simply secure permission to take a rowboat down one of the busiest and most famous waterways in the world, but you never know.
Here’s hoping they at least try to make something happen, anyway.
There’s been plenty of curious and comedic moments already this tournament, but for anyone who hasn’t yet watched Harry Kane’s post-match following the tense 3-2 thriller against Mexico, you really need to.
He was given the chance to chat to the media once again after his voice recovered, but let’s just say the memes that have already come from THAT interview are almost as memorable as the match itself.
A Harry Styles-themed running event is coming to Manchester
Lydia Mastrolonardo
A Harry Styles-themed running event, ‘Styles-Athon,’ is coming to Manchester later this year.
Styles-Athon is set to be an action packed event, centring around all things Harry Styles – there’ll even be a live tribute performance and DJs blasting some of our favourite songs.
This event is brought to us by Run Fanatics, a group that focuses on creating memorable, themed running events, maintaining that ‘it’s not about how far or fast you run, it’s about how much fun you have.’
Styles-Athon is open to all abilities, with Run Fanatics priding themselves on inclusivity and their welcoming sense of community, offering both 5k and 10k routes to either walk, dance or run around. No matter what the running ability, this is a great day out for all Harry lovers.
Having successfully hosted other music-led events such as a Swift-Athon and an ABBA themed run in Manchester, we’re excited to have them back and keep the energy in Heaton Park ‘Watermelon Sugar’ high.
Why not try something new and contribute to a good cause while you’re at it – runners are welcome to run in support of a charity of their choosing.
Finally, some real motivation – run like you’re chasing Harry Styles.
What you can expect from Styles-Athon:
Live Harry Styles tribute performance and warm-up
DJ and professional sound team
Music guides running the course to keep the energy high
Exclusively Harry Styles music throughout the event
5K and 10K routes
Free professional event photos
Chip-timed race with official results
Exclusive Harry Styles finisher’s medal
Timings:
9am – 10am – Harry Styles tribute performance in the event village as runners arrive
10am – 10.10am – Harry Styles tribute to lead the warm-up hosted at the start area
10.15am – 10.25am – Getting race ready and walk to the start line
10.30am – 12pm – Race begins, with most runners finished by midday
Styles-Athon will be set up for around 1,000 attendees and is taking place in Heaton Park, on Saturday 19 September 2026.
Sign up HERE for either 5k and 10k options, tickets available from £29.99.
Emily Sergeant -
22nd May 2024 
