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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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
NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani gives thoughts on Andy Burnham running for Prime Minister
Emily Sergeant
Mayor of New York City, Zohran Mamdani, has given his thoughts on Andy Burnham’s intention to run for Prime Minister.
In case you missed it, after it was announced last Friday that Andy Burnham had clinched the victory in the crucial Makerfield by-election, winning 24,927 votes (54.8% vote share) and a majority of 9,231, he then went onto announcing his intentions to run for Labour Party leader, and therefore Prime Minister, after Keir Starmer confirmed he would be stepping down.
Greater Manchester‘s next Mayoral Election has also been announced, given that Burnham is now not eligible to stay in the role – with the date set for Thursday 30 July and candidates frequently being announced.
Talk of Burnham’s chances of running the country have been around for months now, but have ramped up considerably over the past week of course in the wake of his by-election win.
It’s fair to say that for much of Andy Burnham’s time as Mayor of Greater Manchester, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, he was up there as one the most famous Mayors in the world… but over the past year, he’s arguably had to hand that unofficial title over to Zohran Mamdani, the current Mayor of New York City.
Mamdani is considered to be a democratic socialist, and campaigned for things like progressive, affordability-focused platform, supporting fare-free city buses, universal child care, city-owned grocery stores, a rent freeze on rent-stabilised units, additional affordable housing units, and a $30 minimum wage by 2030.
He has also expressed support for LGBTQ+ rights, comprehensive public safety reform, and tax increases on corporations and those earning above $1 million annually.
Mamdani was elected Mayor of New York City last October, and was officially sworn in on New Year’s Day at the start of this year.
Since then, he has successfully – very successfully, in fact – made a name for himself around the world, and has even managed to deliver on a good chunk of what he set out to do in his campaign, seeing many calls for him to become President one day.
Oh, and he’s also a massive (and very knowledgeable) football fan – an Arsensal fan, to be precise, but football in general really.
Appearing on BBC’s Football Daily podcast this week to talk about his love of the sport as the US currently hosts the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Mamdani was also asked to give his thoughts on Andy Burnham and his upcoming run to be Prime Minister.
“I don’t think anything comes with ease at that kind of a level,” Mamdani started out in response to host Mark Chapman’s question.
“I do think they are very important skills because many people have lost faith in Government, the place they earn that faith back, they decide to trust again, is at the most local level. That’s where they see what it’s like to have a Government that delivers for them.
“And if you’re able to respond to people, whether it’s in Greater Manchester or New York City, it is at the heart of what people are looking for for any kind of politics.
Mamdani then closed out his thoughts by questioning: “I don’t think he’s an Arsenal supporter though?” and when the hosts clarified that Burnham is an Everton fan, Mamdani responded: “Well at least you can respect that someone has suffered.”
He concluded: “No but like, I like it when I meet someone who’s a fan of a team that hasn’t just won and won and won.”
Featured Image – Wikimedia Commons
Sport
The world’s first standalone women’s football retail store has opened in Manchester
Lydia Mastrolonardo
Foudys, the world’s first ever store dedicated exclusively to women’s football, has opened in Manchester.
Back in 2020, Helen Hardy began Foudys, with the goal (pardon the pun) of addressing a fundamental gap in the market, regarding the lack of access to official women’s football merchandise.
She began the brand by supplying shirts with women’s players names on the back, something that shockingly has not been widely available until now. The business has since rapidly grown into a highly respected name, working with global brands such as Nike, Adidas and Puma.
As Hardy rightly said: “Women and girls are underserved by traditional sport retailers. Currently we see store environments created through the male lens, an overwhelming focus on male products and aesthetics that are geared toward football-mad boys.
“The staff are used to selling to men and boys who often grow up with an innate knowledge of football products. Through our online store we can see what our customers want and need is different.
“They like a mix of performance and lifestyle products, more specialist advice and a non-intimidating environment where they feel comfortable to ask any product questions. This is what our Foudys store will deliver.”
A giant football scarf instead of a ribbon cutting at FoudysFoudys celebrates the women’s football game
After developing a loyal community of players and fans across the globe, Foudys has finally branched out into a new in-person two-storey retail store here at Manchester’s Great Northern Warehouse, on Deansgate – and where better to have it than a city so synonymous with football?
The store is set to stock official merchandise, exclusive handpicked collaborations, limited-edition ranges, performance products tailored specifically for female athletes, plus some must-have fashion collections inspired by women’s sport.
There’ll be a whole section of performance wear like sports bras, football boots and more, plus football shirts you can have customised with printing in-store.
This isn’t just a shop – it doubles up as a cultural hub for the women’s game, with events in the store including watch parties, panini sticker swaps, player panel discussions and sewing workshops to fix damaged football kits.
A glimpse inside Foudys in ManchesterYou can pick up performance wear as well as merch and fashion pieces
The new Foudys opening represents a wider significant step forward for women’s sport, as the demand for women’s football continues to soar with record-breaking attendances, increased media rights deals and rising brand investment.
This is reflected by Deloitte’s* findings showing that in 2026, global revenue in women’s elite sports is predicted to exceed US$3 billion for the first time, marking a 25 per cent increase over 2025 and 340 per cent growth since 2022. However, retail is currently not sufficiently reflecting this shift, which is something Foudys aspires to change.
“There’s been huge progress on the pitch and in media coverage, but the commercial ecosystem hasn’t fully caught up,” Hardy added.
“Retail is a critical part of that. This store is about creating a space where fans and players feel seen, represented and catered for, something that hasn’t existed before at this scale.
“Foudys has always led from the front, being the first to put female players’ names on the back of shirts and providing exclusive access to products from the US NWSL League and the TOGETHXR range. This is the next step in that journey. We want to break barriers and show what women and girls need from a sports store.”
Foudys is named after USA Legend Julie FoudyPieces in store celebrate the Lionesses’ big wins
Foudys hopes to become the global home of women’s football retail and culture, with their in-person store being a crucial step in bridging the gap between performance and lifestyle.
In 2024, the Sports Innovation Lab* found a significant disparity in sport retail, highlighting that for every nine pieces of men’s sport merchandise available, there is only one piece for women’s sport. While in the same study, it was revealed that women’s sport fans spend more on merchandise and make more purchases per year than men’s sport fans.
Foudys prides itself on its inclusive community feel, with staff trained to help explain their products in a way that is accessible, whether you’re a complete newbie or consider yourself a pro.
Their expert team is on hand to help players consider a wide variety of boot options, as well as providing a safe space for sports bra advice, fittings and help on the best period underwear for performance. What more could you ask for?
The Foudys store is now open (from 25 June 2026) at 293 Deansgate, Manchester.
Danny Jones -
19th July 2023 
