With the 2024 Paris Olympics right around the corner, Manchester is set to give Team GB a warm homecoming reception this summer.
Teaming up with the National Lottery, Team GB will be getting a hero’s welcome when they fly back from the games which kick off this Friday, 26 July.
Set to take place at Manchester’s legendary AO Arena, the event will be hosted by Emma Willis and Vernon Kay, with interviews and appearances from Olympic legends, rising stars and all those hoping to bring home the gold at Paris 2024.
With live music and entertainment from some big names as well as the all-around celebrations following what we already know is going to be another successful year for our Olympians, it’s set to be a very special occasion.
Featuring a stellar line-up of iconic UK artists including Clean Bandit, Jess Glynne, Pete Tong and Rag’n’Bone Man, the show will be a moment for the nation to party alongside the athletes and toast their incredible achievements, dedication and passion with pride.
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This year’s events are also to thank National Lottery players whose funding helps support Team GB and Paralympics GB athletes to be the best they can be.
A sister event for the Paralympics will also be hosted at the Utilita Arena in Birmingham on Thursday, 12 September, with coverage of both being broadcast on BBC One and iPlayer.
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Since the National Lottery began funding to help support elite sport in 1997, Team GB has never fallen out of the top 10 in the medal table and came fourth at the Tokyo Olympics, winning a stunning 22 golds.
During the Tokyo 2020 English swimmer Adam Peaty won Team GB’s landmark 100th gold medal since National Lottery funding began, with a total of 117 golds won so far.
TV presenter and host Vernon Kay said: “I’ve seen first-hand how amazingly dedicated and talented our athletes are and the difference the support of National Lottery players makes to their ability to be the best they can be.
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“The National Lottery’s Team GB Homecoming event will be a moment to recognise the achievements of the athletes and thank National Lottery players who have helped them on their journey to Paris. I can’t wait to celebrate together!”
National Lottery players in Manchester and all over the country are helping power the Paris 2024 team and their homecoming event.
Co-host Emma Willis added: “There’s a fantastic buzz during the Olympics and The National Lottery’s Team GB Homecoming event will be the perfect way to celebrate and welcome home our phenomenal athletes.
“The National Lottery plays a key role in supporting them all to get to the Games, so everyone involved is ready for a big old party packed with athletes, artists, and of course, the public! I’m super excited to be asked to host, along with Vernon. I have no doubt it’ll be a very fun and special evening.”
National Lottery players have the opportunity to enter a ballot to win a pair of free (barring a £2 booking fee). The ballot is now open with a total of 6,000 tickets up for grabs and those entering for tickets will be required to confirm they have a National Lottery ticket that they can present on the day of the event.
Team GB’s Manchester Olympic homecoming is due to take place on Saturday, 17 August with the broadcast set to go live the following day. Lottery players can grab their tickets HERE.
Born in Coventry and having come through the Birmingham City youth academy system, he was loaned to Crawley Town from 2019-20, before joining Tranmere Rovers on a permanent transfer in 2021.
The wing-back became a Wanderer a year later, spending nearly three campaigns at the Toughsheet Stadium, serving largely as a first-team regular.
Known for bombing down the flanks, he went on to make 126 appearances for the fellow Greater Manchester club.
Registering seven assists last season and a further four this term, despite playing a reduced 18 times amid a change of manager.
Now set to embark on his next chapter at Edgeley Park, he will wear the number two shirt – a fitting choice for a fullback, especially on the right.
Commenting on his newest recruit, who should bolster not only the defensive line but also add attacking width, County manager Dave Challinor said in an official club statement: “We are delighted to welcome Josh to the club.
“He’s been a player that’s been on our radar for some time, but I think it’s fair to say that we didn’t think he’d be available – so to add him to our group is great.
“He has brilliant experience at the level, at a club with expectation, and he’s the perfect profile for what we want as a right-back or wing-back. I know he’s excited about the challenge ahead of him, and we’re really looking forward to working with him and being successful together.”
What do you make of your latest County signing, Stockport fans?
You can see Josh Dacres-Cogley’s first interview as a Stockport County player in full down below.
The Tour de France is coming to Manchester
Danny Jones
It’s official: both the male and female Tour de France are coming to Greater Manchester and nine other destinations across the UK in 2027.
As one of the biggest locations on the list, it’s another big sporting landmark for us Mancs.
Confirmed on Thursday, 15 January, the men’s race and the Tour de France Femmes (TdFF) will be passing through our region next summer.
Revealing the news in an exciting announcement video on social media, you can see the other cities and towns that the world-famous endurance event will be hitting here:
With Greater Manchester boasting not only the National Cycling Centre, but having already hosted the Tour of Britain – which has passed through Altrincham on multiple ocassions – we’re well-versed when it comes to the sport.
It’s been more than a decade since the Tour de France last took place in the UK, with London and Yorkshire hosting three stages of the biggest date on the annual cycling calendar back in 2014.
Fast forward a dozen years, and not only will they both be participating again, but Great Britain will see dual Grand Départs for men and women for the very first time.
Not only are we buzzing that the racing will be returning to our friends in Leeds and Sheffield, but also nice to see other Northern regions lending their roads and stunning landscapes, such as the Lake District and wider parts of Cumbria.
You can see the full route map broken down below.
🇬🇧 Leeds, Manchester, Sheffield, London 🇬🇧
💛 Grand Départ Great Britain 2027: in the footsteps of the pioneers!
— Le Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift (@LeTourFemmes) January 15, 2026
Speaking in an official press release, race director Christian Prudhomme said: “The UK has always welcomed the Tour with passion and pride, and the route details we are revealing today reflect the beauty and diversity of Britain’s terrain.”
“Bringing both Grand Départs here is a testament to the strength of our partnership with British Cycling and the enthusiasm of the UK.”
TdFF counterpart, Marion Rousse, added: “The UK has played an important role in the history of women’s cycling, with champions such as Lizzie Deignan.
“Starting the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift in Leeds is a strong choice, closely linked to this heritage and to the enthusiasm of a public that knows and loves the Tour. These stages clearly reflect the race’s ambition: to continue growing women’s cycling and to inspire future generations.”
Danny Jones -
23rd July 2024 
