Travel & Tourism

Manchester Airport shares major update and new images of Terminal 3 upgrade plans

Yep, that's a gigantic sports bar.

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 3rd September 2025

Plans to upgrade Terminal 3 at Manchester Airport have taken a big step forward.

The passenger hub’s reputation precedes it amongst Mancs (come on, who among us hasn’t gone ‘Oh god, not Terminal 3’ when you check your travel plans?) – it’s smaller, there are less bars and restaurants, and even the Boots is tiny.

Terminal 3 has become even less favoured since Manchester Airport undertook a £1.3bn investment in Terminal 2, which is now gorgeous and packed with interesting (and local) operators.

But now work has officially begun on a multi-million pound project to revamp Terminal 3 too.

The plans were unveiled back in May, promising extra seating, a new entrance, new shops and food and drink outlets, and ultra-modern security details.

New images are now giving passengers an idea of how the revamped departures area will look – and it includes a new sports bar.

Sporting Chance will be a 469-seat bar with airfield views. The CGIs of the sports bar show gigantic table football-style characters hanging overhead, as well as screens to show sporting events.

Manchester Airport has also confirmed that the Terminal 3 will be home to a new Italian-themed restaurant called Terracotta.

Terminal 3 will be made larger by merging partly with the existing Terminal 1 building, which is set to close once Terminal 2 is complete.

CGIs of Terminal 3's new sports bar at Manchester Airport
CGIs of Terminal 3’s new sports bar at Manchester Airport
An Italian restaurant will also open at Terminal 3
An Italian restaurant will also open at Terminal 3 as part of the upgrade

The first parts of the new-look terminal will open early next year.

Manchester Airport Managing director Chris Woodroofe said: “Here at Manchester Airport we’re proud to connect the North to the world and we’re always looking at how we can improve the experience we provide to our passengers.

“Our 10 year, £1.3bn project to completely transform Terminal 2 is nearly finished and we know passengers who have already used it absolutely love it.

“And now we’re able to shift our focus to Terminal 3 where work has already begun. Our plan is to take advantage of the extra space that will be afforded by the closure of Terminal 1 to really improve the experience for passengers who fly from there.

“It’s great to see the work already underway and really exciting that passengers will start to see the benefits of it from early next year.”

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Featured image: Supplied

Travel & Tourism

18-21 year olds can now travel on Greater Manchester’s buses for half price

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

18-21 year olds can now apply to travel on Greater Manchester’s bus network for half price, it has been announced.

The Bee Network says it is ‘continuing to lead the way’ when it comes to cutting the cost of public transport, with applications for half price unlimited bus travel for 18-21 year olds now open and around 150,000 young people in Greater Manchester set to benefit.

The new pass will ‘better connect’ young people to work, training, or education opportunities.

With the Greater Manchester economy found to be experiencing faster growth compared to the UK as a whole, and with making travel ‘easier, more affordable, and inclusive’ a critical part of the Bee Network’s success, Mayor Andy Burnham announced the half-price bus travel this week, alongside a raft of other improvements across the region.

Some of the other improvements the Mayor announced include more frequent buses, cheaper travel, and new round-the-clock services.

18-21 year olds can now travel on Greater Manchester’s buses for half price / Credit: TfGM

Young people can now buy a 28-day bus travelcard for just £40, which is half the price of adult fares and the equivalent of just £1.43 per day for unlimited travel on any Bee Network bus in Greater Manchester.

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) says the new half-price travel is aimed at helping the thousands of young people once their 16-18 ‘Our Pass’ expires, and will support them as they move into further education or the world of work.

“Young people in Greater Manchester have been calling out for an affordable transport option for when their Our Pass expires and this new pass will give them that,” commented Fran Wilkinson, who is the Director for Customer and Growth at TfGM.

“We know this is such an important time in a young person’s life as they look to go into further education or enter the world of work.

“Now as they explore the many opportunities available to them they will be able to use any Bee Network bus as much as they need to at half the price.”

Fatima Bangoura, who is the Youth Engagement Officer at Youth Leads, added: “The new 18-21 pass opens doors for those who may worry about losing that support once their Our Pass ends, making travel for training, apprenticeships, education and employment far more accessible.”

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Digital applications for the new 18-21 Pass are now open via the Bee Network app, and you can download the app here.

Featured Image – TfGM

Travel & Tourism

A FREE week-long event dedicated to Japan is coming to Manchester

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia Japan Week Manchester events 2025

An event dedicated to the East Asian country of Japan is making its way to Manchester city centre this month.

Simply titled ‘Japan Week’, this cultural ceremony aims to package up all the things this East Asian country has to offer, such as music and theatre, compiling them into a fantastic five-day showcase.

Taking place this weekend and based over in the ever-flourishing First Street complex – which will serve as the main hub – the festival is open to all.

We love anything that shows off just how multicultural this city is.

On Friday, 5 September, from 3-5pm, you can watch the Japan Week opening ceremony, which is taking place on an outdoor stage at First Street with the running order including dance acts and even ceremonial-style samurai performances.

With so many artistic events and cultural dates taking place in the growing mini-district that is First St (including Jack Rosenthal Street and Tony Wilson Place), it’s the perfect site for this month’s showcase.

This opening procedure is actually called ‘Kagami Biraki’, and if you attend on the day, you’ll be able to see the traditional opening of the sake barrel, which symbolises unlocking good fortune and the spirit of celebration.

Japan Week is coming to First Street in the city centre from Thursday, 4 September to Tuesday, 9 September, and, perhaps best of all, there are absolutely no tickets required.

More events on the Japan Week 2025 programme will also be taking place at other venues too.

manchester city centre japanese festival
japan week 2025
(Credit: Manchester Japan 2025)

Yes, as the goal of the festivities is to spread awareness and celebrate Japanese heritage and its connection to Manchester, the event is completely FREE – as it should be.

You can find out more information HERE.

See you there, or should we say, ‘また会いましょう‘

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Featured Images — Press shots (via Japan Week website)

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