Jetting off to some of Europe’s cheapest capital cities for a boozy night out with your mates before tying the knot is pretty common-place in the world of stag do culture nowadays – but in 2024, all that could be set to change, as some new statistics are seeming to show that grooms might not need to travel quite as far for their one last hurrah.
That’s because, according to dedicated stag party planning platform, StagWeb, some of the UK’s biggest cities are set to be popular places this year instead – and Manchester is right near the top of the list.
That’s right, Manchester is apparently set for “a huge influx” of stag parties in 2024.
StagWeb’s recent search data has identified that our city is set to be a more popular choice than classic stag party hotspots like Newcastle, Cardiff, and Dublin this year.
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Manchester is apparently set for an ‘invasion’ of stag parties in 2024 / Credit: PickPik | shawnanggg (via Unsplash)
Back in 2023, Manchester didn’t even feature in the Top 10 most popular UK destinations for stag parties, but this year, it’s a different story, as the city has claimed the fifth spot on the list, and is only right behind Bristol, Edinburgh, Brighton, and fellow North West city Liverpool.
The spike in stags heading to the Manchester is said to be due to the city’s “ever-growing party reputation”, according to StagWeb, but also a move away from traditional stag do destinations – which has been appearing as a trend in recent years.
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Luke McFarlane, who is StagWeb’s Manchester specialist, said our city is “one of the most up-and-coming stag cities in the country”.
Top 10 most popular UK destinations for stag parties in 2024
Bristol
Liverpool
Edinburgh
Brighton
Manchester
Newcastle
Cardiff
Bournemouth
Birmingham
Nottingham
He explained that it’s due to “the variety of nightlife and activities on offer”.
“You can party on a budget,” he continued, “plus it has the opportunity to go big if people want to, so it’s got something for everyone.
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“There’s a massive range of unique activities available too – from the insanely-popular Alcotraz Prison Cocktail Experience, to wrestling schools, and things like the National Football Museum to keep the guys occupied.”
Channel 4 needs adult virgins with ‘intimacy issues’ for next series of hit reality show
Emily Sergeant
Channel 4 is back looking for more adult virgins to take part in the potential next series of its hit reality show Virgin Island.
If you’re unfamiliar with Virgin Island, it’s unlike anything ever seen on TV before.
First hitting screens back in 2024 and having run for two successful seasons now, Virgin Island follows the journey of a group of adult virgins who are whisked off to a Mediterranean island retreat to learn life-changing skills in the art of intimacy.
Working with leading international therapists, the aim is to help the young people overcome their fears and insecurities when it comes to intimacy and sex.
Channel 4 said it chose to commission the show after a recent study into intimacy found out that one in eight British 26-year-olds is, apparently, still a virgin.
A casting call for the new series on the Channel 4 website reads: “Are you a virgin and do you need help and guidance with your fears and insecurities around intimacy and sex? Double Act Productions is casting adults for a potential second series of Virgin Island.”
You just need to be over 21 years of age to take part in the show.
Fancy it then? Or know someone who may be up for the ride? Applications for the potential next series of Virgin Island are now open, and there’s still plenty of time left to put your name down.
You can find out more and register your interest here.
Featured Image – Channel 4
Trending
Pep Guardiola in talks over first international management role
Danny Jones
Football icon and Manchester City legend Pep Guardiola is reportedly set for his first job since leaving the Etihad Stadium, as the Catalan head coach looks like he could be set to make his move into international management.
The generational manager, who has undoubtedly become one of, if not the greatest of all time, left Man City at the end of last season after a decade in East Manchester.
Stepping away from the sky blue side with 20 trophies in 10 years, he’s won pretty much everything there is to win – at least at club level, anyway.
With that in mind, multiple outlets are now claiming that Guardiola is getting ready to make his debut on the international circuit, already being heavily linked with a role as part of ‘gli Azzurri’.
EXCLUSIVE: The FIGC has met with Pep Guardiola to convince him to take over as national team head coach, according to Sky in Italy 🚨🇮🇹 pic.twitter.com/qmzjunjur4
Yes, as per Sky News’ sporting arm over in Italy, Pep is now rumoured to be the next person to take the job in their national team, which would be his first proper senior position in international football.
According to Sky, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) have already held meetings with the former Barcelona, Bayern Munich and City boss.
It remains unclear how advanced talks and/or negotiations have progressed up to this point, but it is said that fellow footballing veteran and AC Milan legend turned FIGC technical director, Paolo Maldini, has already travelled to meet the 55-year-old.
Believed to have been joined by former teammate and right-hand man Leonardo Araújo – who previously served as director at PSG – it looks to be more a case of whether Pep wants the job rather than if Italy want him.
From announcing a documentary series covering his final season at Man City, to even launching a dedicated ‘Decade of Pep’ fashion collection, it’s fair to say that both the club and the fan base are bidding a bittersweet goodbye.
Pep has already made it clear that he can’t see himself ever managing the Spanish national team, remarking: “I am a Catalan. I don’t see myself ever managing Spain.”
Meanwhile, other names rumoured as options for the Italian manager’s job include Andrea Pirlo and a return by fellow ex-MCFC boss, Roberto Mancini. Can you see Pep pipping any of these to the post?
As for his former club and ‘second home’, Cityzens will be glad to hear that while it may be all change over at the Etihad Campus, there is plenty to be hopeful about – including some steps more in the right direction when it comes to tickets.
Emily Sergeant -
19th January 2024 
