If you’re like us and you’ve been scrambling around for somewhere, anywhere screening the Euro 2024 final after England’s heroics on Wednesday, then you’ll be relieved to hear that there are still tickets left for one of the biggest fan zones in Manchester.
Yes, places like the AO Arena, Albert Hall, New Century and countless other central spots sold out immediately and, naturally, most pubs will also be packed to the rafters, but just on the outskirts of the city there’s a pretty big location that’s rather sneakily become one of the best places to watch the game.
But the secret couldn’t be kept quiet forever and 4theFans – a.k.a. “the original, immersive fan park brand”, first established back in 2020 – has seen tickets for their Manchester location over in Ardwick blow up ahead of the final.
It boasts a whopping capacity of 4,500 and although 90% of tickets have now been sold, there are still just over 200 general admission tickets still to be snapped up.
An overview of what the crowds will look like at the fan zone for the Euro 2024 final in Manchester (Credit: 4theFans)
Based over at The Progress Centre, the massive multi-purpose venue is not only easy to get to whether you’re coming in or out of Manchester but it also boasts some of the biggest anti-glare screens in the UK, a world-class sound system, as well as plenty of food and drink (launching them sky-high optional).
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Oh yeah, and it’s undoubtedly one of the best football atmospheres anywhere in the country right now.
4TheFans has popped up at various different sites over the past few years including the Love Factory for the last Euros and several Champions League finals, Trafford Park’s Soccer Dome for the 2022 Qatar World Cup, and now this latest destination.
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Alongside the action, supporters are also guaranteed quality entertainment including live DJ sets, competitions, giveaways and other interactive games; a dedicated 4theFans host and hype-man, plus so much need stress-tempering banter and analysis from a living football legend – no, we’re not telling…
And don’t worry, you get all the bells and whistles of all the other big-budget fan zones too, with celebratory special FX, pyrotechnics and cO2 cannons at the ready for when we bring it home.
Now, while prices were cheap for early bird tickets and standard admission if you were quick about it, those have all been unfortunately sold. However, 4theFans has released an extra 200 or so more tickets for the final in a last gasp to get as many people in as they can.
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Nevertheless, a general sale ticket will still only set you back £33.97 (including all processing fees) for one of the most massive fan zones, largest screens, best atmospheres and the biggest game of our lives.
Euro 2020 against Italy was one thing and, of course, it would have been nice to have won it at Wembley, but to do this on foreign soil for the first time in English history would be groundbreaking.
Grab your tickets via the DICE app while you still can and if you want to join the waitlist for the Premium option, which comes with prime access to the front section for the very best views of the match and more, you can also do so HERE.
4theFans crowds regularly get featured on ITV and BBC’s national coverage when it comes to major tournaments, so if you are at the front, you better make sure you’re supporting and celebrating like your life depends on it. Here’s hoping for similar scenes on Sunday…
Man City fan jailed after causing £10k damage to a police vehicle following Champions League victory
Emily Sergeant
A Manchester City fan has been jailed for his part in large-scale disorder following the club’s Champions League victory.
The court heard how, following Manchester City’s Champions League Final win over Inter Milan in Istanbul in Turkey on Saturday 10 June 2023, jubilant fans flocked to the streets of Manchester city centre for late-night celebrations.
The large influx of fans in high spirits prompted a police response to ‘ensure public safety’ and ‘prevent any public disorder’, according to Greater Manchester Police (GMP).
However, the disorder did begin to escalate despite police presence.
A number of fans, including 22-year-old Leon Blackett, scaled a police vehicle and proceeded to jump up and down on it, which subsequently caused more than £10,000 worth of damage, and resulted in the vehicle having to be written off.
#JAILED | Leon Blackett (14/01/2003) of Craigmore Avenue, has been been handed a three-month jail term for causing £10k worth of damage to a police vehicle following the club's Champions League win in 2023, along with 41 months for other offences.
Following the disorder, an investigation was launched by GMP’s City Centre policing, with officers obtaining social media and CCTV footage that helped them to identify those responsible.
Blackett admitted to the offence, after he was arrested on Thursday 19 October 2023.
Following admitting to the offence, Blackett was sentenced to 44 months in prison – a three-month jail term for this football-related offence, along with 41 months for possession of a bladed article and a domestic related communications offence.
He has also been given a seven-year Football Banning Order, commencing on the day Blackett received his sentence.
“The actions by Blackett in the wake of Manchester City’s historic Champions League Final victory were completely unacceptable,” commented PC Matt Ford, from GMP’s Specialist Operations Planning Unit.
“This is a timely reminder to those who commit crimes while following the football in another country, we will seek prosecutions for unacceptable behaviour.”
Featured Image – GMP
Sport
Six Nations to stay free-to-air as broadcasters strike new TV deal
Danny Jones
Good news for rugby fans as the Guinness Six Nations is set to remain free-to-air for the foreseeable future following a new deal being struck between the competition and its current broadcasters.
With the 2025 tournament approaching its conclusion, the organisers are already looking ahead to the next year and how to contest will be marketed, with many predicting the rights to be snapped up by a major sporting channel.
Fortunately, however, the Six Nations‘ present coverage partners have managed to keep the games as part of the current TV license package after striking a new four-year deal.
The agreement between BBC and ITV, who air all of the annual fixtures between them at the moment, will see the pair host the matches until 2029 at the very least.
As mentioned, it was thought that broadcasters and streaming platforms like TNT Sports might secure the licensing for at least part of the tournament as they continue to expand their large and varied service but, for now, UK coverage is staying right where it is.
Under the new contract, ITV will show 10 games per season, including every England match, while the BBC will air the remaining five fixtures.
BBC will also host all Wales and Scotland home games bar when the two nations play England at Murrayfieldand the Principality Stadiums, respectively.
Better still, not only will the men’s competition be staying free-to-air but BBC will continue to show every game during the Women’s Six Nations as the interest in female rugby continues to grow.
In fact, it’s having quite a boom here in Greater Manchester on its own.
Greater Mancs making strides for the next generation.
This year’s tournament has been as blockbuster and nail-baiting as ever, with England still in with a chance of winning the whole thing if they beat Wales with a bonus point – provided France fail to beat Scotland in the final game.
England’s last game gets underway at 4:45pm and it’s all to play for.
You can find all the best places to watch the remainder of the action down below:
Danny Jones -
12th July 2024 
