Greater Manchester’s World Cup warm-up – how to get ready for the 2026 tournament this summer

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Sports activities for kids before the 2026 World Cup in Manchester

Are you getting your practice in, too? It’s a team effort.

With the World Cup fast approaching, we thought we’d share some exciting footy and other sports-related activities available across Greater Manchester this Spring, to help get your heads in the game. 

Now that this lovely sunshine has arrived, it’s time to start getting excited for a summer filled with football, barbecues and crowding around a big screen. Don’t know what to do with yourself until 11 June? Don’t panic, we’ve done the work for you.

Here’s a list of both free and paid activities for you to do with friends or family.

Check out the fixture list this spring…

1. ‘LOWRY 360’: Going to the Match – The Lowry Theatre, Salford

The UK’s first free and permanent immersive experience, which allows fans to transport themselves inside the art of LS Lowry.

Get lost within his famous painting ‘Going to the Match,’ in collaboration with Immersive Studio, to completely transport you to matchday, using sound and super-high resolution imagery.

It is a multi-sensory experience covering the experience and excitement of preparing for a game – it’s not one to be missed. Described as one of their most ambitious projects yet, expect to feel like you’re inside a booming Wembley on matchday.

Watch Lowry’s ‘Going to the Match’ come to life at this new immersive experience in Salford
Like no other.

2. The ‘Best Team On Paper’ Footy Quiz – The Loft Social, Stockport

Wednesday, 8 April

How’s your ball knowledge? Let’s find out at the ‘Best Team on Paper’ quiz in Stockport. Head down to Loft Social; at just £2.25 a ticket, it’s a great way to spend a midweek evening, consisting of footy trivia, catching up with friends and hopefully some winning. There’s a £75 bar tab, mystery shirts, special prizes and more to be won. 

While you’re there, why not wander down to Little Underbank before kick-off at 7:30pm and try out one of their new bars or dinner spots? Our recommendations would be The Good Rebel for their outdoor seating or The Underbank for an unreal slice of Gatto sourdough pizza and some drinks.

Hurry, tickets were completely sold out last time. Find out more and see if you can grab yourself some sought-after tickets HERE. If you’ve not seen much about the venue before, look no further:

3. Girls’ Football Festival – Broadhurst Park, Moston

Wed, 15 April

Feeling inspired after the Lionesses brought home gold last year? Us too, here’s a great opportunity for 10-14-year-old footy-mad girls in Manchester.

Hosted by FC United of Manchester at their home ground, it’s going to be a day full of fun, meeting new people and learning some skills from expert coaches. The festival is open to all abilities, so whether you’re a pro like viral sensation Anna Panna or you’re looking to try something new, everyone’s welcome.

Come on, girls – let’s show ’em how it’s done. Find out more and sign up HERE. 

@annaxpanna1 How many touches on the ball? 💁🏼‍♀️⚽️💁🏼‍♀️⚽️ @Jessica Smith #skills #team #duo #football #tekkers @YO! STREET ZONE ♬ Ritmada Relaxa Vida – DJZRX & launch13 & rodricci

4. Head Shoulders Knees & Goals – National Football Museum, Cathedral Gardens 

Friday, 27 March – Sunday, 1 November

This is an exciting, full sensory experience for the whole family, in the Score Gallery at the National Football Museum (NFM). 

Whether you’re into science or just have a love for the game, this is a great day out for both children and adults. Learn about the connection between the body and football, with attention to sport science, clothing, exercise and nutrition through an interactive experience. 

This exhibition also delves into stories of identity, the matchday experience and the joy that football brings, through different sensory activities. Click HERE to find out more.

5. ‘The Price of Passion’ – Football Museum, Cathedral Gardens 

Thursday, 15 May 2025 – Wednesday, 30 September 2026

Might as well make a day of it.

While you’re at the National Football Museum, why not go and see the Price of Passion display in the Play Gallery? It was designed in collaboration with their new partnered Youth Advisory Group to explore financial barriers to football accessibility through the voice of the next generation.

The exhibition highlights the injustices some of our community face, regarding increasing matchday ticket prices and the consequent protests.

We don’t think anybody should be excluded from the football community, and this expertly highlights real issues faced by Mancunians.  Let’s educate ourselves to better understand and support our community. Tickets are available now.

6. The Beautiful Game – NFM, Cathedral Gardens 

Friday, 24 April 

While you’re at it, here’s one for you music lovers: the National Football Museum is hosting a concert to celebrate music surrounding ‘the beautiful game’.

This concert draws the parallels between football, music and wider culture. While it presents the power behind the musical elements within a matchday experience, it also explores how identity and culture shine through music, from each of the wonderful cities across the country. 

It’s set to be one to remember with familiar chants, anthems and music, both local and international, inspired by football. This celebration of culture and music is not one to miss, and it is guaranteed to get you in the spirit for the World Cup. Find out more down below.

A live orchestral football chant concert is coming to Manchester city centre
What a great concept.

7. Footy Fairy Tales – Tameside

Tameside Central Library (Wed, 1 April) and Denton West End Community Library (Sat, 18 April)

The totally free theatre show ‘Footy Fairy Tales’ has come to Manchester and will be showing in libraries across Greater Manchester this April.

While designed for children ages 5 -11, this experience is fun for the whole family, whether you’re training your child up like Project Mbappe or if they just love theatre, this would be a great day trip for the Easter Holidays. 

It combines storytelling and football to welcome those new to the game, as well as you experts. Everyone deserves to get involved in the World Cup, so go on down. Get your tickets HERE. 

8. Classic Football Shirts – Northern Quarter

Let’s dress like winners. Why not head on over to the self-proclaimed ‘home of football shirts’ in the heart of our very own Northern Quarter? Check out their huge range of current and retro kits available for the whole family.

If you’re into modern streetwear or the history of football, this is the place for you. Established in 2006, with over 500,000 expertly selected, authentic vintage items, there is something for everyone.

Don’t forget to check out their new adidas World Cup range of shirts to get you in the spirit. Nothing quite like a bit of retail therapy to get you in the mood for winning.

Classic Football Shirts’ World Cup room is a thing of absolute beauty
We still even reminisce about their old shop, and the operation has only grown since then.

9. West Didsbury and Chorlton AFC – Chorlton, Brookburn Park

Come on down to support local grassroots football with West Didsbury & Chorlton AFC male and female teams down at Brookburn Road. With everything from a drummer at the shed end, dog-friendly fan hill, food, drink and more, it’s a class day out for all ages and people from all walks of life.

With three home games left for the men’s team and one for the women’s this April, come and support a local team that pride themselves on inclusivity and being an accessible local football club. The energy is electric, with a close-knit community feel that challenges prejudices in football. 

Not to mention some sensational food, including burritos from WrapScallion, cakes from Sweet Talk and lovely pints from Monica’s Bar inside the clubhouse; at £8 a ticket on the gate, it’s a no-brainer. 

10. Yard Ball – NFM, Cathedral Gardens

Last but not least, have you heard that the increasingly popular Yard Ball has popped up over at the NFM for the Easter bank holiday (and hopefully beyond)?

Built around skills sessions, street football, and the backyard classic ‘bin game’, this increasingly popular activity is coming to Manchester city centre as the perfect distraction for your footy-mad little ones.

Having just opened up their latest full venue over in Sheffield, we know all too well how much time we could spend just playing this.

Honourable mention…

The University of Salford have joined up with Kick It Out, a charity on a mission to tackle all forms of discrimination. So, if you’re a University of Salford student, don’t miss out on access to multiple events and joining Kick It Out’s digital learning platform.

Find out more HERE.

As a timely reminder that the people’s game is truly for everyone, there’s not much else left to say other than roll on this summer’s tournament, best of luck to England and… Oh, yeah: IT’S COMING HOME.

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Featured Images — The Manc Group

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