Co-op Live has announced one of the biggest nights yet and their first-ever sporting event after confirming that the UFC is coming to the new state-of-the-art arena.
While the shiny new music and live entertainment stadium suffered an unfortunate setback earlier this week, with both of Peter Kay’s gigs being postponed following power supply issues discovered during their test event, the confirmation of UFC 304 at Co-op Live is a big plus for the opening month.
Rumours had been circling that a huge sporting event might be coming to the UK’s newest indoor arena, one of the biggest of its kind in Europe, but this being just the fourth time the UFC has washed up on British shores, it’s a huge coup for their debut year.
Announced on Wednesday, 24 April, the global MMA phenomenon and multi-billion-dollar promotion company will be bringing their 304th fight night to Manchester on 27 July and you can roll your eyes at the pun all you like, but it’s going to be a knockout.
The UFC is coming back to Manchester for the first time in eight years.
As the UFC has said in an official press release, “UK MMA is currently experiencing what is being described as an unheralded golden era, with stars such as welterweight champion Leon Edwards, interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall, and local favourites, including Paddy Pimblett, Molly McCann, Muhammad Mokaev, Michael Page and Arnold Allen, with more rising through the ranks.”
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That being said, there isn’t a better moment for the brand to capitalise on the growing fight audience here in the UK and 0161, specifically, with the aforementioned Aspinall having created a real appetite for the discipline in and around the city.
The Greater Manchester region has always been home to iconic fighters regardless, be it boxing or otherwise; Ricky Hatton, Tyson Fury, Amir Khan, as well adopted Manc MMA legend Michael Bisping, whose pedigree helped bring UFC to Manchester and the AO Arena for the first time back in 2016.
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Nearly a decade later the promotion is now part of Co-op Live’s maiden calendar and set to be the first of many sporting events they hope to host – a plan bolstered by their partnership with neighbours, Manchester City.
The UFC 304 fight card is yet to be announced but there are a few local names you can probably bank on. (Credit: The Manc Audio)
“I’m so excited to get back to Manchester, and no better time than this summer,” said UFC President and CEO Dana White. “We have two champions from the UK and fans have been dying for a UFC PPV event. So here we come to the largest indoor arena in the UK. See you soon, England!”
As for Co-op Live, Executive Director and General Manager Gary Rodenadded: “With the north of England home to so many of the world’s leading fighters, we are primed and ready for UFC and its knowledgeable, passionate fanbase.
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“Offering a state-of-the-art platform for globally broadcast events, Co-op Live is extremely proud to welcome entertainment of this scale and calibre as the future home of combat sports in the UK.”
Co-op members get early access to presale tickets at 10am on 5 June and general admission goes live via Ticketmaster at the same time on Friday, 7 June. UFC Fight Club members will also have the opportunity to purchase tickets early on the Wednesday from 9am BST.
You can also register your interest HERE to gain access to a special pre-sale which starts on Thursday, 6 June 6 from 10am as well. Roll on fight night!
An official and completely FREE Manchester Marathon fan zone is returning for 2026
Danny Jones
Yes, last year’s newest and official Manchester Marathon fan zone is returning for 2026, promising more positive pre- and post-race vibes than the first time around.
Here’s hoping for some lovely sunshine to go along with the atmosphere on 19 April.
Set to host the city centre’s runners and spectators for just the second time, Circle Square’s Symphony Park will be home to the 2026 Manc Marathon fan park, complete with independent pop-ups, big screens to watch all the action on, plus plenty more.
Best of all, it’s completely free to enter all day long for participants and those of you cheering your loved ones along, as well as being an ideal all-ages spot for families to relax and enjoy.
Located just moments from the finish line, just outside the University of Manchester along Oxford Road Corridor, you simply follow it down towards the tall Vita Group and Bruntwood SciTech buildings.
Circle Square itself hosts many events and activities all throughout the year, and they couldn’t resist getting back in on the raceday party once again, as more legends are set to take part than ever.
For context, 2025 saw more than 35,000 sign-ups, but this April is expected to see a whopping sold-out crowd exceeding 42,000 – a record number for the annual event.
With that in mind, finding a place to fit all of them and the countless fans who come along to cheer them on from the sidelines is paramount, so it’s a good job the Symphony Park x MCR Marathon fan zone will be open from 9am on the day.
Here are some more scenes from the last edition:
Credit: Jody Hartley (supplied)
Although more are set to be revealed nearer the time, visitors can expect “a lively schedule of entertainment, food and drink pop-ups, family-friendly activities and special offers from our community of independent businesses and brands.”
Set to close around 5pm as the hordes of runners will doubt either head home for a long bath, leg rub or straight to the pub for their victory pints, we can assure you lots of time will be spent on the square.
Featured Images — Jody Hartley (supplied via SH Comms)
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Bruno Guimaraes’ talks over potential move to Manchester United this summer said to be ‘true’
Danny Jones
With the conclusion of the 2025/26 campaign fast approaching, eyes are already shifting towards next season and the upcoming transfer window, and one player who has already been linked with a move to Manchester United this summer is Bruno Guimaraes.
Currently the captain at Newcastle, it’s fair to say it would take some doing to swap Uniteds, but stranger things have happened.
Man United seem to be linked with a new midfielder almost every week at this point, with several names floating around in the same sentence as Old Trafford, but this is one that looks to have increasing traction to it.
With talks between the club and Bruno Guimaraes’ representation having reportedly taken place over the past month or so, some have even gone as far as to claim that discussions have already progressed to an ‘advanced’ stage.
🚨 BREAKING:
A meeting took place a few weeks ago between the agents of Bruno G & Manchester United!
As per ever-reliable transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, while he refuted the claims that any direct negotiations have taken place with Newcastle themselves, he stated that “a meeting did take place in recent weeks.”
Believed to have happened a little while ago, rather than more recently, as some reports have suggested, he went on to add that “the information from Brazil is accurate: a meeting was held, and United maintain a good relationship with the agency.”
He also qualified that although it is true that Guimaraes is admired by those at Carrington, he is among a number of shortlisted candidates that they could potentially bring in from June onwards.
For instance, names such as Elliot Anderson, previously pursued Carlos Baleba and Adam Wharton, as well as two Wolves players and even Bruno’s midfield partner Sandro Tonali have all been rumoured.
However, it’s thought that the 28-year-old Brazilian international and compatriot is the only one that current cog in the middle of the park, Casemiro, is said to have ‘personally’ recommended.
That’s according to the likes of Sports Illustrated, ESPN and others, who say that the veteran midfielder and fellow national teammate has put his Bruno G as the man to follow in his footsteps and fill the key central position when he eventually departs.
Meanwhile, with Bruno Fernandes still the talisman for the Red Devils, you would imagine he wouldn’t mind having another Portuguese-speaking playmaker alongside him.
Whether or not the Magpies secure another year in at least one of UEFA’s continental tournaments will factor into his decision to stay long-term or not remains to be seen, but the feeling is that he could be allowed to leave if they miss out on the Champions League.
As for selling to a relative rival in the table these days, on the other hand, it would likely take some fee for the North East side to let one of their most important stars leave St James Park.
Then again, it looks like Manchester United aren’t willing to simply settle for just the Europa League, given their upturn in form under Michael Carrick, and were they to end up back in all four competitions next year, they could do with all the strength in depth possible.
Danny Jones -
24th April 2024 
