Sport

Manchester is set to host an Olympics homecoming at the AO Arena for Paris 2024

It's one of only two official National Lottery x Team GB homecoming events happening this summer.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 23rd July 2024

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.

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.

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.

“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.

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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.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE

Featured Images — Supplied

Sport

Gallagher brothers pay touching tribute to Diogo Jota on first night of Oasis reunion tour

Danny Jones Danny Jones Oasis pay tribute to Diogo Jota in Cardiff

It’s official, Oasis are actually back, and during the first date on their reunion tour in Cardiff, the Gallagher brothers paid a touching tribute to Liverpool FC player Diogo Jota.

News of Jota’s passing broke on Thursday morning, after it was confirmed that the Liverpool forward was involved in a car crash along with his brother, Andre Felipe Silva.

Using the iconic track ‘Live Forever’ as the perfect opportunity to pay their respects, the screen behind them flashed up with his shirt.

Here’s the moment it happened:

A lovely touch from the Burnage boys and die-hard Blues, not to mention done rather cleverly given the song choice.

Taken from their legendary debut album, Definitely Maybe, the 1994 track is regularly voted ‘the best British song of all time’ – and moments like these only reaffirm why it connects with people so strongly.

What’s even more moving is the slight swell of noise you hear from the crowd; even on a night where quite literally all eyes were on them and the inaugural night of the ‘Live ’25’ tour, they made sure to shed some light on the bigger picture.

You could even see some fans in the crowd holding up Portugal flags in honour of the late LFC star.

Manchester City themselves – who boast a number of Portuguese players like Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias and Matheus Nune – were among countless clubs who shared their condolences with Liverpool in the aftermath of the 28-year-old’s tragic death.

Scouse support band Cast also dedicated one of their songs to Jota earlier in the evening.

Put simply, Friday, 4 July 2025, at the Principality Stadium was always going to be one that went down as one of the biggest concerts in decades, but this small gesture from a pair of footy fans no doubt made it even more special for any supporters who happened to be in the crowd.

And, indeed, the thousands watching at home, as even before the tidal wave clips began to appear online, there were multiple livestreams of the show on YouTube and various other platforms.

While most of these were ultimately taken down (not before we saw that legend balancing a pint of blue WKD on his head), there was no chance of keeping this one in the building.

We saw the setlist, we heard the noise; we saw them holding hands, and we even saw them hugging as they walked off. On a night were they chose to spotlight family in more ways than one, Oasis and those who are sadly no longer around to see them ‘Live Forever’ in the memory of millions.

Read more:

Transport ‘masterplan’ announced as more than 300,000 fans hit Manchester for Oasis reunion gigs

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Featured Images — Nick Newell/Oasis (via X)

Sport

Family-friendly places watch the 2025 Women’s Euros in Manchester

Danny Jones Danny Jones family places showing 2025 women's euros in manchester city centre

It’s not just festival season we’re right in the midst of enjoying; a fantastic summer of sport is well underway, and with the 2025 UEFA Women’s Euros having now kicked off, we thought we’d round up some of the best places to watch the games in central Manchester.

With the Lionesses still reigning European champions following that unbelievable final against Germany back in 2022, we can’t wait to see if they can retain England’s first major trophy since 1966.

One of our favourite parts about the Women’s Euros is that it tends to attract a much more family-friendly crowd, meaning that wherever you choose to watch it here in the city centre, out into Greater Manchester or anywhere else for that matter, it’s a safe, wholesome and wonderful atmosphere.

So, without further delay, here are 10 of the best places to watch our girls bring football back home once again – because you’re damn right we’re winning it.

10 of the best places to watch the Women’s Euros in Manchester

1. Tony Wilson Place – First Street

First up, rather fittingly, we’re returning to one of our go-to spots pretty much every summer: the big temporary lawn laid out over on the square at Tony Wilson Place. A sun-trap with deck chairs and plenty of places for food and drink around you – what more could you ask for?

The ever-thriving First Street complex has been paving the way for free social listening/watch parties here in Manchester, especially when it comes to utilising public open-air spaces, and it’s sure to be backed once again for this year’s Women’s Euros too. Trendsetters, they are. It’s also the biggest screen.

2. MediaCityUK – Salford Quays

Heading out of the city centre for a spell – though only a tram ride away – the waterside viewing zone at the similarly titled ‘Screen on the Docks’ over at Media City is back for summer 2025 with a wide range of live sport, including the F1, Wimbledon, cricket and, of course, this year’s Women’s Euros.

Situated on the steps right next to the old harbour area, turned home of Greater Manchester mainstay, Box on the Docks, there are all kinds of entertainment to catch for free. Make sure you check their socials for the regular schedule this summer, even after the tournament is over.

It also happens to be one of the best places to watch Wimbledon in Greater Manchester.

3. Freight Island – Depot Mayfield

Next up is another regular favourite for any big sporting competition: the ever-busy, family-friendly and massive screens at Freight Island. Not only is it right next to Piccadilly station for those who are travelling into Manchester city centre, but you have all the food and drink vendors you’ll ever need.

With an entire room dedicated to watching live sports all year-round, not to mention quieter, family-friendly spaces like the ‘Plant Room’, outdoor spaces and so on, the Depot’s neighbour is always set up perfectly for big competitions like this, and you can bank on the big room being filled with England fans.

4. Deansgate Square – New Jackson

Heading over towards Castlefield direction and the emerging area known as New Jackson, next on the list of family-friendly places to watch the Women’s Euros in Manchester is Deansgate Square, where property developers Renaker have set up a special dedicated section for a jam-packed summer of sport.

Simply called ‘Screen on the Square’, the viewing zone not only sits in the shade of the city’s now skyline-defining towers but also catches plenty of rays throughout certain periods of the day. This space will also be doubling up as a free outdoor cinema throughout the season.

A free open-air cinema is opening in the heart of Manchester’s skyscraper district
Read more about what’s on at The Residences.

5. Factory International – Aviva Studios

Heading across to the other side of Castlefield and over to the back of St John’s, Aviva Studios – a.k.a. the home of Factory International – are also showing the women’s football this tournament season as part of their current Football City, Art United. exhibition, which began on Thursday, 4 July.

Tickets are available for just a tenner, and children 16 or under go completely free. As well as getting to view the incredible installation as part of this year’s Manchester International Festival (MIF), there are also areas dedicated to watching the 2025 Women’s Euros. Sorted.

6. The Carlton Club – Whalley Range

Perhaps one of our favourite options this summer is The Cartlon Club’s collaboration with Baller FC, who host accessible, inclusive football watch parties all over the country, but have a particular strong following here in Manchester and down in London.

In this case, FC doesn’t just mean for football club: it stands for ‘Friends Collective’, as the idea is that everyone is welcome, serving as a reminder that the beautiful game is also the people’s sport and no one should feel excluded. You can grab tickets for the games HERE.

Credit: Baller FC (supplied)

7. The Sisterhood* – Central

Next up is one of the most popular after-work and weekend Manchester sports bars full stop, but in honour of the Women’s Euros, they renamed from The Brotherhood of Pasttimes and Pursuits to The Sisterhood, instead. A nice little touch, don’t you think?

With two floors to choose from, kid-friendly games like pool and shuffleboard to be enjoyed, as well as plenty of pub classic food to keep everyone’s bellies full for 90 minutes, it’s pretty much one of the perfect spots to watch all the action.

8. National Football Museum – Cathedral Gardens

Moving over to the other side of town towards Victoria now, the National Football Museum is one of the best family-friendly and, most notably, completely FREE places to watch some of the best female players in the world shine on the European stage.

While the local institution and home of Manc footy culture will be open as normal throughout the day as normal, since many of the games are being broadcast during the evenings here in the UK, 2025 Women’s Euros matches will be screened after hours at no extra charge. Find out more down below.

Manchester’s National Football Museum to screen England’s Euro 2025 matches for free this summer

9. North Bar – Circle Square

The penultimate stop on our list of the best places to watch Euro 2025 might surprise some of you, but North Bat over on Circle Square – formerly known as North Taproom (just off Oxford Road Corridor) – has quietly become a great place for watching live sport with a more chilled atmosphere.

It might night have the box on all the time, but when they do for big occasions like this, we do sometimes whisper it is an alternative suggestion among friends to avoid the rowdier pub scenes. Maybe give it a try this month and decide for yourselves – and grab some street food from Koto while you’re at it.

10. Hyatt Regency Hotel – Central

And finally, this may be one of the least-known options in the city centre, but the free screenings inside the Hyatt Regency Manchester are also some of the best family-friendly places to watch football, making them a perfect out-of-the-way spot to enjoy the Women’s Euros too.

Credit: FJones2123 (via Wikimedia Commons)

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Featured Images — The Manc Group/Press shots (supplied)

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