They’ve made it: the Lionesses are in the 2023 Women’s World Cup final and while there’s one more game left to play in the tournament, it goes without saying that Manchester is the best place to watch the Lionesses bring it home.
As a city brimming with not only some of the richest sporting heritage in the world but housing many of the brightest and best talents in the women’s game, Manchester is and always will be the UK’s biggest football city in our eyes.
You only had to walk into a pub during the Euros last year to see how much us Mancs showed up, not to mention the fact that we hosted multiple games at Old Trafford, Manchester City Academy Stadium and Leigh Sports Village.
The 2022 Euros was a truly special time for this city, the country and women’s sport on the whole, and with the Lionesses still reigning European champions, we can’t wait to see them do the double and bring home the 2023 World Cup too. So, with that in mind, here are all the best places to watch the Women’s World Cup final.
10 best places to watch the Women’s World Cup final in Manchester
It goes without saying that we have a deep affection for pretty much every pub and bar in our city, but we can’t include everyone on this list, otherwise it could go on forever. So, in no particular order, here are The Manc‘s best picks for where to watch the final game of the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Manchester.
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1. BOX – Deansgate
To kicks things off, where better than BOX on Deansgate? Buzzing every single weekend, this two-storey sports bar complete with live music, shuffleboard tables and giant steins of cocktails is one of the best places to spend a night out full stop, let alone to watch the footy. You can book HERE.
Next up, no list of sports bars would be complete without the one and only Tib St Tavern. A Northern Quarter and matchday favourite, large screens and big booths for you and your mates make this a perfect spot. We’ll warn you, this place fills up quickly, so you best reserve your table now.
Just like the above, there aren’t many sports bars we love more than The Directors Box. It might not be the biggest place on this list either, but with a great beer selection, big sharing platters of solid scran, plenty of screens and a pool table, you can’t go wrong with this city centre location. Book HERE.
Still one of our favourite new additions to the city is Calcio!, the Italia 90s-themed sports and retro gaming bar. How’s that for a sales pitch? With some of the best burgers in town from What’s Your Beef, table football and old-school games console to keep you occupied at half-time, we love this place.
Another place that’s showing the Women’s World Cup final this year is Brickhouse Social, which has really come into its own as a place to watch sport over the past year. With big screens, cocktails, slices of pizza and an upstairs terrace for when the sun comes out, we’re definitely going to be back in here a fair bit even after the games end.
It might be a slightlysurprising addition to the list but the Contact Theatre, situated just off Oxford Road and just behind Manchester Academy and the University of Manchester, it’s proving a decent left-field pick for students and those that want a less pubby vibe to watch the games. Book tickets HERE.
An old favourite we’ll never get tired of is Bierkeller and Shooters Bar in the Printworks, two long-standing Manc institutions that have remained a regular stomping ground for sport fans for decades now. We don’t even have to give you the sales pitch on this one — if you know, you know. Book HERE.
8. Walkabout Printworks
Whilst we’re on the subject of Printworks, another place that’s been there from pretty much day dot and is practically built for watching sport of all kinds is Walkabout. You might not want to be to braggy after that semi-final win against the Aussies, but this place will still be packed out with a great international crowd as it always is. You can sort your booking HERE.
Second to last on our list is a place that people always seem to forget but that we’ve watched multiple international tournaments in now: Gasworks. The First Street brewery has some of the best guest ales you’ll find anywhere in town, a great street-food menu from Thief Street, shuffleboard, as well as a big projector. What’s not to like?
10. The Footage – Oxford Road
Last but not least, we like to roll back the years every now and again and we can’t think of many places more affordable than The Footage. The popular student venue has different deals on food and drink every night, large screens on nearly every wall — including the big projector — and games to keep you busy before, during and after. We’ve spent many a footy match in here at uni and it never disappoints.
We couldn’t give you a list of places where to watch the Women’s World Cup final in Manchester without giving a shout-out to the big screen over on First Street: a totally free viewing space where supporters from all manner of countries have been coming to watch the games together.
With Gasworks just behind you and HOME right next to you, Bunny Jackson’s just a few metres away and the little pop-up van serving pints and coffees right outside, sitting on those deck chairs on a big bit of astroturf is a little slice of heaven.
And finally, one last place we wanted to include was Nell’s at Kampus who, after showing the opening game of the tournament, have been backing the girls ever since.
With the bar open from 10, free slices of breakfast pizza being served and DJs playing throughout, they’ve got it all going on here.
Featured Image — Gasworks/Lionesses (via Instagram)/The Footage (via Facebook)
Sport
Manchester City win watershed case against Premier League over sponsorship rules
Danny Jones
Manchester City have landed an early blow in what is set to be a long and arduous series of legal proceedings over the coming months as they have won a case against the Premier League over their rules around sponsorship and related party transactions.
The current English champions, who have won a record four Premier League titles in a row, launched legal action against the division back in June after claiming that their restrictions around Associated Party Transactions (APT) rules and sponsorships were unfair and unlawful.
Now, as it turns out, an independent panel of three retired judges ultimately concluded that the rules were unlawful and, at least in part, contrary to the Competition Act 1998.
The details of the case are obviously numerous and complex but, in short, it has been found that Man City were unfairly blocked from moving forward with two huge sponsorship deals earlier this year.
BREAKING: Man City has won their legal challenge against the Premier League's Associated Party Transaction rules, which surrounds commercial deals between clubs and their related companies 🚨 pic.twitter.com/ZevrXvOOhd
Although the outcome has been somewhat debated by the league itself, it was decided that the imposed regulations were unfair and “discriminatory in how they operate, because they deliberately excluded shareholder loans.”
Issuing a statement following the decision, the Premier League said they “welcome the Tribunal’s findings, which endorsed the overall objectives, framework and decision-making of the APT system”, adding that it also “upheld the need for the APT system as a whole and rejected the majority of City’s challenges” while reiterating that the rules are necessary for their “financial controls to be effective”.
They went on to add that “the decision represents an important and detailed assessment of the APT Rules, which ensure clubs are not able to benefit from commercial deals or reductions in costs that are not at Fair Market Value (FMV) by virtue of relationships with Associated Parties.”
Meanwhile, the City Football Group responded to the news in a series of bullet points, insisting that the “Premier League was found to have abused its dominant position, […] had reached the decisions in a procedurally unfair manner” and that they will now have to “restate the fair market value of two transactions entered into by the Club.”
Safe to say people have noted quite a distinct difference in tone when it comes to statements from the two parties regarding associated parties and their transactions with clubs but, nevertheless, it’s a victory for the Manc club could have a huge knock-on effect regarding how much teams can spend in the future.
Quite a contrast in wording between the statements from Man City (left) and the Premier League (right) on findings related to Associated Party Transaction rules. pic.twitter.com/H3QkHlwMGM
The Premier League have also reassured that two particular aspects of the existing rules that didn’t fully comply with the Competition Act will be rectified promptly and will be “conducting a process that can allow the league and clubs to enact those specific changes quickly and effectively”.
Not only does this mean that CFG is likely to restart conversations with the two blocked parties – one being the Etihad Group and another with a bank based in Abu Dhabi – but that other clubs could now potentially look into further lucrative sponsorship deals, although ‘fair market value’ will still be assessed.
You can read page 164 of the document which summarises the full Tribunal HERE.
Meanwhile, the still outstanding case against Man City over their 115 charges regarding FFP breaches has now begun, though a decision is still a ways off.
Rugby Super League Grand Final to stay at Old Trafford
Danny Jones
Greater Manchester-based rugby fans will be relieved to hear that the Betfred Super League Grand Final will be staying right here in the region following a new agreement being reached.
With the Super League Grand Final between the Wigan Warriors and Hull KR coming up this weekend, Old Trafford is set to host the fixture for the 27th time, having been held at the legendary football ground event since the competition began back in 1998.
However, there was some uncertainty around whether the massive rugby league game would carry on at the iconic stadium as the existing contract ticked down, but a new deal struck between the RFL (Rugby Football League) and Manchester United has now reassured that the match isn’t going anywhere.
Confirming the news on Monday morning, the RFL revealed that the Super League Grand Final will be remaining at the Theatre of Dreams for the immediate future.
Here to stay! 🙌
The @Betfred#SuperLeague Grand Final will be held at Old Trafford until at least 2027 🏟️
As detailed in an official Super League press release, a new three-year agreement will see the game stay at Old Trafford until at least 2027.
Wigan Warriors – who happen to be competing in their 13th concluder to date this Saturday – actually took part in the very first Grand Final all those years ago and while a number of other multi-purpose arenas could have housed the competition, few have Old Trafford’s history or capacity.
Rhodri Jones, the Managing Director of RL Commercial, said: “It’s perfect timing for us to be able to confirm this extension of Super League’s partnership with Manchester United ahead of Saturday’s Grand Final, as we look forward to another fantastic occasion at Old Trafford this weekend, with our biggest Grand Final crowd for at least seven years.
“Rugby League’s relationship with Old Trafford stretches back well beyond the Super League era, and since 1998 it has gone to another level as the Grand Final has become established, with so many unforgettable moments – including the brilliance of Rob Burrow in two Player of the Match performances for Leeds Rhinos.”
He went on to note that one of the biggest highlights from the upcoming clash will be the introduction of the new Rob Burrow Award for the Player of the Match, whichwas announced shortly before his passing earlier this year.
As for Man United, Chief Operating Officer Collette Roche added: “We are proud to continue the tradition of hosting the Super League Grand Final at Old Trafford for another three years.” This will also mean that
“It is always a special event in the national sporting calendar and this weekend will be particularly poignant with tributes being paid to the late Rob Burrow and so many other Rugby League legends”, he continued.
As for local side Warriors’, it’ll be a historic day for their opponents as Hull Kingston Rovers will be playing in their first-ever Betfred Super League Grand Final following an electrifying end to their semi-final against Warrington Wolves. You can watch the highlights down below.
As for one remaining home team, Wigan kick-off against KR at 6pm on Saturday, 12 October and it’s sure to be another blockbuster.
Danny Jones -
19th July 2023 
