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…
Details released of Andy Burnham’s meetings with Manchester City owners while Mayor
Emily Sergeant
Details of Andy Burnham’s meetings with Manchester City owners during his tenure as Mayor of Greater Manchester have been released.
In case you need bringing up to speed on the situation a little first, Manchester City was found guilty back in September all of its charges related to the Premier League’s financial rules over a nine-season period, and on top of that, was also found guilty of the majority of charges in relation to its failure to co-operate with the League’s investigation.
According to the Premier League, the independent Commission found that Manchester City had arranged so-called ‘sham’ commercial deals with a number of its sponsors.
These were part of a disguised funding scheme – with those sponsors only required to pay a portion of the relevant sponsorship fees.
The remainder was then funded by Abu Dhabi United Group Investment & Development Ltd (ADUG), which owned the club.
The Commission also concluded, as quoted by the Premier League, that the club had ‘made concerted efforts to stop and frustrate the Premier League investigation’.
Within the past week or so, it has since come to light that now-Prime Minister Andy Burnham had dealings with Manchester City during his tenure as Greater Manchester Mayor, and Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) has now issued a public statement, giving details on the matter and what these ‘dealings’ entailed.
A spokesperson for GMCA confirmed that Burnham had a ‘formal meeting’ with Man City Chairman, Khaldoon Al Mubarak, back in October 2021.
The statement reads in full: “In October 2021, Andy Burnham, in his role as Mayor of Greater Manchester, had a formal meeting with Khaldoon Al Mubarak at the UK Government’s Global Investment Summit arranged by the Department for International Trade.
“In his capacity as Mayor, he was a guest of Manchester City FC at home matches on a small number of occasions, including attending Vincent Kompany’s testimonial match in September 2019, where he met the Chairman informally in the stands. These have been declared in the usual way.
“Also during his time as Mayor, representatives of Greater Manchester sporting clubs would routinely join business delegations as part of Mayoral international visits.
“This included representatives from Manchester United travelling to Austin and Dublin, Lancashire Cricket Club joining a delegation to India, and Manchester City FC staff supporting visits to China and Japan.”
Featured Image – Lauren Hurley / Number 10 Downing Street (Press Image via Flickr)
Sport
Multiple arrests made for ‘tragedy chanting’ and police officer assault as Man City defeated Liverpool
Emily Sergeant
Multiple people were arrested over the weekend as Manchester City defeated Liverpool in a Premier League clash.
Merseyside Police have confirmed that a total of 10 people were arrested during the policing operation at Liverpool’s home ground of Anfield as they hosted Manchester City on Sunday 11 October.
One man was arrested on suspicion of assaulting a police constable, five were on suspicion of tragedy chanting, one on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly, two for affray, and one on suspicion of throwing items onto the pitch.
Police are now appealing to the public, and are particularly looking to speak to witnesses of the assault of the officer.
At around 6:35pm, as fans left the stadium, a police officer sustained a ‘serious facial injury’ during the arrest of a man on Anfield Road, and was subsequently taken to hospital for treatment but is now recovering at home.
Investigating officers are now conducting enquiries, speaking to witnesses, and analysing CCTV and camera phone footage.
Chief Inspector Leanne Hobin said it’s ‘extremely disappointing’ that an officer has sustained a serious injury while carrying out their duty.
“I hope the arrests send a clear message and act as a deterrent to others,” Chief Inspector Hobin continued. “Anyone who engages in this abhorrent behaviour risks ending up in custody and getting a criminal record.
“Despite the actions of a few, the overwhelming majority of the 60,000 fans in attendance behaved well and I want to thank them for their co-operation.”
Manchester City ended up defeated Liverpool 3-0 during the Premier League clash at Anfield.
Danny Jones -
12th July 2024 
