No, you’ve not misread that headline: Manchester City have taken their commercial success a step further than any club before them by becoming the first team ever to launch their own multiplayer map in a new partnership with Fortnite.
The massively popular online multiplayer game boasts well over half a billion people across the globe, with roughly 230 million active players every month, and has become well-known for its high profile collabs with big franchises like Marvel, Star Wars, Batman, Stranger Things, the NFL and more.
They even hosted a giant Travis Scott concert within an actual games lobby, which saw more than 12.3 million people log on to Fortnite to witness the gaming and live music first.
And it looks as though the game’s streak of breaking new ground isn’t stopping there as now they have teamed up with Man City to host the first-ever online map inspired by a real-life football club.
Can you be the champion of The Ladder? 🏆
Play now on Fortnite Creative! Game Code 7124-6951-4339
As part of the developer Epic Games’ Creative feature, which allows for people to build their own arenas within the smash-hit ‘battle royale’ game, players can now enjoy an officially licensed Manchester City map by entering a simple code.
Entitled ‘The Ladder’, the map revolves around a series ‘glyphs’ or symbols of recognisable icons around the club, 11 themed arenas such as the ‘Blue Moon’ level inspired by the famous City anthem, another built around the iconic Manchester worker-bee and more.
Designed with support from Karta, a London-based metaverse studio, the map will see players take on each other in ranked one-on-one or ‘PvP’ matches, with their positions constantly changing based on their performances.
Winners will ascend the ladder to the higher arena, while those who lose will fall further down and, in typical Fortnite fashion, a champion is crowned by being the winner of the final round.
The Fortnite creative map is the latest development in the club’s gaming and esports strategy, which has been a big area of focus for the brand in recent years, with their own Man City ESPORTS team now bigger than ever.
You can see first-team star and England international Jack Grealish taking on streamer and YouTuber ThisIsFG_ in an example below:
As per a press release from the club, the City Football Group’s (CFG) Chief Marketing and Fan Experience Officer, Nuria Tarre, said of the collab: “We are delighted to launch our official Fortnite creative map in collaboration with Epic Games for gaming and football fans around the globe to enjoy.
“The opportunity to build this world in Fortnite presented a fantastic way to increase our presence across the competitive gaming space, a natural crossover for our leading sports entertainment brand.
“This launch is a great new addition to our off-pitch fan engagement activations and we are excited to see a crossover of esports and football fans dive into this immersive City experience.
You can play ‘The Ladder’ official Man City Fortnite map via the access code: 7124-6951-4339.
Alejandro Garnacho set for Premier League switch as Manchester United shuffle attacking lineup
Danny Jones
Young Manchester United forward Alejandro Garnacho looks set to make a switch to another Premier League team as he has reportedly already reached an agreement regarding personal terms with his next club: Chelsea.
The promising winger, who graduated from Man United’s academy setup and has quickly made an impact even in just a short time in the first team, is now believed to be London-bound very soon, with Chelsea now “close” to completing a deal for the 21-year-old.
While there are no doubts surrounding his talent and potential, it is said the rift between him and the United head coach comes down to personality, character and conduct, with the latter not shying away from sharing grievances publicly.
🚨 Chelsea have stepped up talks with Manchester United over deal to sign Alejandro Garnacho. Clubs in touch on topic for some time & now advancing amid Benjamin Sesko joining #MUFC. 21yo winger wants #CFC or nothing + expects move to happen @TheAthleticFChttps://t.co/vdc1dtnA0p
According to The Athletic, it now looks as though after having agitated for a move, Garnacho has got his wish and is set for the capital, in a move which could see him become the 51st senior player to sign for the Blues under Todd Boehly’s ownership.
It is, quite frankly, a staggering number – especially given the fact that he only purchased the club back in May of 2022.
Most notably in Garnacho‘s case, too, it also raises questions around where in the Chelsea squad he will fit and how much regular first-team football (a guaranteed starting spot rumoured to be a flashpoint with Amorim) he will be able to enjoy should the deal go ahead.
For instance, besides the plethora of other attacking players at Enzo Maresca’s disposal, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano says that the west Londoners are also pursuing PSG’s Xavi Simons.
Nevertheless, the Italian journalist claims that “every detail of personal terms with Chelsea” has now been agreed, with the Argentine prospect now fully set on a move to Stamford Bridge.
You can see what other Manchester United transfer updates he gave in his latest video.
Romano goes on to state that the deal is effectively done as far as the player side of things is concerned, adding that Garnacho is now only interested in Chelsea since and has been since July.
Although negotiations are yet to begin with Man United, it looks likely that they will push to get a transfer approved quickly as they look to cover the costs of the other business, having already brought in a number of players.
A young BMX star from Trafford finished on the podium in the 2025 World Championships
Danny Jones
A Greater Manchester native placed on the podium at the 2025 BMX World Championships in yet another display of our region’s sporting excellence.
12-year-old Leo Rowlands from Timperley in Trafford was one of the several promising BMX riders representing Team GB at the World Championships in Copenhagen, which kicked off at the end of July.
Back in 2023, Geordie-born Kieran Reilly became the UK’s first champion at the UCI BMX Freestyle Worlds in Glasgow, and this year, London’s Beth Shriever claimed a trio of world titles.
Combine that with the incredible achievement of the talented young lad coming third overall in his own category, and it really was another brilliant performance from Great Britain.
Credit: Supplied
Penning a proud statement online, local outlet Altrincham Today wrote: “HUGE congratulations to Leo Rowlands, who has just claimed WORLD No. 3 at the BMX World Championships in Copenhagen.
“The Year 7 [aged 11-12] Altrincham College student, who’s been racing since age 6 and trains at Bruntwood Park BMX Club in Cheadle, came through a field of over 140 of the world’s best riders to reach the final and secure his spot on the podium.
“Already North Champion and UK National No. 2, Leo will be going for the British Championship title in Kent this month.”
Joining in sharing their pride and praise on social media, his home college in Alty, along with Rowlands’ fellow students, simply added: “Incredible performance, Leo!”
The comments underneath both posts are filled with other parents and fellow locals passing on their congrats. You love to see it.
Credit: Family Handout (supplied)
As for his regular cycling haunt, Bruntwood Park BMX Club also went on to add: “Yesterday, two riders reached the top of the sport for their age, and it is with great pride that they bring home the club’s first W plates from a World Championships.
“First up, Leo Rowlands, who put down a stunning lap in the Male 12s final, working his way back from dead last out of the gate to make a brilliant podium and take home W3.”
They went on to credit all of their rising talents, including another promising young and already multi-title-winning champion in Lexi Waite, who fought her way back from a slipped gate to finish in fifth.
Bruntwood signed off by adding: “What an incredible achievement from both of these outstanding riders, and we cannot wait to have these guys back with their W plates!”
There’s plenty of cycling history being made here in Greater Manchester, and we’ve no doubt there’s more to come.
Danny Jones -
23rd July 2024 
