Manchester’s landmark leisure centre, the Manchester Aquatics Centre, is set to finally reopen to the public next week.
The huge sports facility has been closed since 2021 and operating at a reduced capacity while undergoing a multi-million pound refurbishment.
The first and largest phase of Manchester City Council‘s £31m project will wrap up next week, right in time for the World Para Swimming Championships in late July.
Members of the public will be able to visit the Manchester Aquatics Centre again from Monday 26 June, which now has an improved energy efficiency and refurbished facilities.
The work that’s taken place includes improvements to the swimming pools, enhanced health and fitness facilities (including three new gym spaces on one level, a new fitness class studio, and a new group cycle studio), and leisure water with splash pad facilities.
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There’s a new and improved cafe space, a health suite, and accessible changing spaces to support those with additional needs, plus digital and sustainable technologies to provide a more modern and efficient building.
The Oxford Road leisure centre‘s refurb has focused on its energy efficiency and decarbonisation as part of the council’s commitment to achieve zero carbon emissions by 2038.
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That’s included more than 1000 solar panels on the roof, all-electric Air Source Heat Pumps to replace the existing gas heating system, and a new Building Management System being installed.
The gym at Manchester Aquatics Centre. Credit: Manchester City Council
Phase two of the refurbishment works will start in September and focus on upgrading all basement areas over a 12-month period.
Councillor John Hacking, Manchester City Council’s Executive Member for Skills, Employment and Leisure, said: “The reopening of the Manchester Aquatics Centre is a momentous occasion for the city and it’s wonderful to welcome people back to the newly renovated facility, one of the leading aquatics venues in the UK.
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“The return of the Aquatics Centre is a key strategic goal for the Council, we want to ensure that our communities have access to state-of-the-art facilities in Manchester and, make sure that we’re looking after the wellbeing, both physical and mental, of our residents.
“Thanks to the Council’s large investment, the Aquatics Centre is now better equipped to suit the needs of our residents, who can now benefit from a wide range of brilliant sports equipment, aquatic upgrades, spa facilities and changing space – I would encourage anyone to go down to test out the new facilities.”
Councillor Tracey Rawlins, Manchester City Council’s Executive Member for Environment and Transport, said: “The reopening of the Manchester Aquatics Centre is great news for Manchester residents and for the sustainability of our city. With decarbonisation at the centre of its regeneration, the new-look Aquatics Centre will help to put Manchester on a greener path.
Inside the revamped Manchester Aquatics Centre. Credit: Manchester City Council
“As a Council we are committed to becoming zero carbon by 2038, and integrating energy efficiency into MAC’s refurbishment is yet another step towards this crucial goal.”
Andy King, CEO of Manchester Active, said: “The centre is a key player in contributing to Manchester’s reputation as an international city of sport and remains one of the most important legacy outcomes of the 2002 Commonwealth Games in the success of GB Para Swimming.
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“Not only will we welcome back a thriving events programme with national/international reach and significant economic value to Manchester, but also over 700 school children each week via Manchester school Swimming Programme and over 900 people on public learn 2 swim programmes, plus up to 14,000 health & fitness members and over 70,000 students from both Manchester universities.”
Activity programmes for all ages including juniors and seniors are available to view: www.better.org.uk/mac.
For more information on Manchester Active, please visit: www.mcractive.com
Manchester’s The Grosvenor pub set to host huge England fan zone with Fireball for 2026 World Cup
Danny Jones
With the 2026 World Cup fast approaching, there’ll obviously be tonnes of places showing the game, but there’s only one place that’s promising big screens, ball pits, pool tables, ping pong, a ‘peep show’ and plenty more right from the off: The Grosvenor.
It doesn’t hurt that they’re teaming up with beloved booze brand Fireball to spice things up.
We hope the goals come easily for England this tournament, but we can assure the drinks will be free-flowing regardless, over at The Grosvenor on Oxford Road Corridor here in Manchester city centre.
Located just on the corner of (you guessed it) Grosvenor St and the busy Oxford Rd stretch, they’re already getting geared up for tournament time…
Teaming up with the famous cinnamon whisky liqueur, the popular student and matchday spot is set to be busier than ever for this year’s World Cup.
As for what they have in store for the North American edition of FIFA’s biggest competition and the ultimate celebration of the beautiful game, besides numerous England flags hanging from the walls and that beautiful ceiling, there’ll be plenty of music, England anthems, giveaways and top-tier atmosphere.
In addition to lots of chanting from yourselves, no doubt, there’ll be DJ sets and merch up for grabs, as well as lots of big wigs, St George’s glasses and foam hands floating around the room.
Credit: The Grosvenor (supplied)
Of course, there will also be wall-to-wall coverage of the games across their many screens around the venue, not least of all the big box sitting pride of place above the bar itself.
With two large floors and more intimate seating options upstairs, there are plenty of ways to watch Thomas Tuchel’s team fly the flag.
Kicking off with the Three Lions’ opening clash against Croatia on Wednesday, 17 June, the venue will be transformed into a sea of red and white, and guests will also be treated to a completely FREE shot of Fireball every single time England score.
Don’t mind if we do.
Naturally, with stuff like this on offer, fans are encouraged to grab their tickets for the fixtures as early as possible so as not to miss out.
In their words AND ours, “From the first whistle to the final anthem, The Grosvenor is set to become one of Manchester’s home ends for the World Cup.”
You can reserve your tickets from just £3 for The Grosvenor Fireball Fanzone – along with plenty of cheap pints and affordable food and drink packages – right HERE.
(Don’t say, don’t say it, don’t say it) It’s coming home…
Featured Images — The Grosvenor (supplied)/The Manc Group
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Enzo Maresca to Manchester City: Ex-Chelsea coach looks set to replace Pep Guardiola
Danny Jones
With Manchester City manager and club legend Pep Guardiola now confirmed to be leaving the Etihad Stadium at the end of this season, it appears that Enzo Maresca has already been identified as his replacement.
With the game-changing Catalan head coach now gearing up to leave Man City after a decade, following the conclusion of the 2025/26 Premier League campaign, Blues are already getting ready to bid a bittersweet goodbye.
You won’t find many City supporters who will be happy to see him go, having overseen not only a period of dominance but the most successful period in their history – one that has quite literally changed English football – but they will at least be optimistic about the frontrunner to succeed him.
As per the ever-reliable Fabrizio Romano, among other sources, an agreement is said to have been reached for the Italian to take over in East Manchester.
🚨🔵 BREAKING: Enzo Maresca has a total verbal agreement with Manchester City, HERE WE GO!
The Italian manager has always been considered the ideal candidate to replace Pep Guardiola.
Deal in place and Maresca will sign an initial three year deal at #MCFC. 🇮🇹
Going so far as to state that the deal is now in place, he claims that Maresca will sign a three-year deal with Man City.
Obviously, this is all still pending an official announcement by the club, which may now be moving up their plans for an official reveal since they have now confirmed that Pep will be departing as reported earlier this month.
According to The Athletic‘s Sam Lee, who was part of the outlet’s team that helped break the story alongside David Ornstein, the 46-year-old has been earmarked for the top job for more than half a decade, as it turns out.
He states that former City Football Group exec and director of football, Txiki Begiristain, already believed Maresca could follow in the Spaniard’s footseps back in 2020.
MCFC have now shared an emotional farewell video following the news most have been dreading. Tissues at the ready, Blues…
The 46-year-old has gone on to win the likes of the Championship, UEFA Conference League title and a FIFA Club World Cup in his last two jobs at Leicester and Chelsea, respectively, barring his very first stint at Parma in 2021 when he missed out getting his side promoted.
Yes, it’s also worth reminding that Maresca has already worked as part of the staff at the Etihad Campus, not only leading their Elite Development Squad (EDS) of U23s players, but also being part of the backroom staff alongside the serial winner, serving as an assistant coach in 2022.
Safe to say that Maresca has quickly gone on to be one of the most promising managerial prospects in a relatively short space of time, and was even linked with being both the England boss and a rival position for Manchester United at one point or another.
It’s only a matter of time until we find out if/for how long he gets the job following Pep Guardiola’s contract expiration (he still technically has a year left, by the way), but he’ll have quite the job on to better his predecessor.
Would you be happy with the appointment, Blues? More crucially, perhaps, are you ready to say farewell to your greatest-ever manager?
Daisy Jackson -
22nd June 2023 
