City Centre

Sportsbet.io Tour Championship 2026: Manchester welcomes some of snooker’s best

Danny Jones Danny Jones Sportsbet.io Tour Championship 2026 Manchester

This Monday marks the start of the World Snooker Tour’s 2026 Sportsbet.io Tour Championship, which is back in Manchester once again – and there are some big names on show.

Returning to our city for a third consecutive time, this year’s Tour Championships began at 1pm, with the likes of world number one Judd Trump playing some of the opening frames against Northern Ireland’s Mark Allen, along with Barry Hawkins taking on 2026 World Open winner, Thepchaiya Un-Nooh.

These are just the first two opening fixtures in what is set to be an eventful week-long tournament that will span a total of 19 matches, concluding in the final on Sunday, 5 April.

Hosted once again over at Manchester Central, this elite field of in-form players is basically only missing Ronnie O’Sullivan, who the aforementioned Thai tour start beat in last week’s final.

Only the top 12 players from this season’s highly competitive rankings earned a place in the draw, so all pretty much all the greats and the next generation are shooting for the title.

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Defending champions John Higgins – a four-time world champion – will be breaking off against Mark Williams on Tuesday, 31 March.

Meanwhile, other names on the schedule of play include World Champion Zhao Xintong, Mark Selby (who Higgins beat in Manchester last year), Shaun Murphy, Neil Robertson and Mark Allen.

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Put simply, this isn’t just another big sporting event landing in our city centre, but a showcase of some of the very best talent in the discipline.

It also comes fresh after the much-welcomed news over in Yorkshire, as it was confirmed that the World Snooker Championships are staying in Sheffield.

With tickets starting from just £25, these games are also some of the most affordable premium sports you can enjoy in central Manchester.

Better still, it’s also worth noting that the official Fanzone over in the foyer of the venue is open to all, even without a ticket.

There’s completely free coaching for players of all ages, interactive games, and even the chance to try a proper full-sized professional table – a perfect day out for the Easter school holidays.

The event itself is being aired on Channel 5, but if you’re interested in going along to see the action up close and personal, you can grab your seats right HERE.

free snooker fan zone manchester central
Credit: The Manc

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Featured Images — Press shot (supplied via Manchester Central)/The Manc Group

City Centre

Crown and Kettle set to take over another former Northern Quarter bar

Danny Jones Danny Jones Crown and Kettle opening new pub The Badger in Northern Quarter

The team behind beloved Ancoats pub The Crown and Kettle have announced that they are set to take over another former bar and restaurant location in nearby Northern Quarter.

We were gutted to see the old place go, but at least we can’t think of many better to take over the unit.

The historic watering hole on the corner of Oldham Road and Great Ancoats Street is said to have stood in that spot since the 18th century, but now the present owners have confirmed they’ll be taking on a third venue, having also opened The Rat and Pigeon back in June 2024.

Many of you may have been to one or multiple of its previous iterations of the site in question over the years, but most recently, it was the Calcio sports bar – and soon it’ll become ‘The Badger’.

Revealing the news online last week, Crown and Kettle wrote: “We’re delighted to announce that our new pub, The Badger, arrives on Dale Street this spring!

“Once home to Calcio, Allotment & Nickelbys, this beautiful old building first served as The Haunch of Venison public house back in the early 1800s. Over the past few months, we’ve been hard at work, quietly bringing it back to life & returning it to its roots as a community pub.

“With The Badger, we’ve set out to create the kind of place we love most, warm, welcoming, full of character, with all the charm of a great countryside pub in the heart of the city.

“Expect cosy corners, traditional pub foods, fine ales & the warmest of welcomes. Made for regulars. Open to all. Worth returning to. We can’t wait to welcome you to your new city centre local. GET SET(T)…” Oh, very good indeed.

We visited Calcio many times over the past couple of years, both for work and pleasure in our own free time; it was a great place to watch the footy, enjoy some matchday scran and roll back the years with retro videogames.

new pub on Dale Street in Northern Quarter
sports bars in mcr city centre
when did calcio mcr close?
Credit: The Manc Eats

As mentioned, though, not only did it used to be one of multiple Allotment vegan and vegetarian eateries in Greater Manchester – thankfully, their presence still remains in multiple buildings – but it has a past long before that which many people bring up on social media.

Insert, “I remember when…’ post.

While we might not know much about what they have in store for this next chapter, knowing how much we love their current city centre favourites, we’re very excited.

As it stands, we’re also yet to hear anything about a more precise opening date, but at least we know it’s coming sometime soon, and we have every faith they’re going to smash it.

A sports bar dedicated to women’s sports is opening in Stockport
Speaking of sports bars…

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Featured Images — The Manc Group

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