Manchester has been named as one of the top cities in the world for 2023 ranking by BCW. It is the only UK city, apart from London, to make it into the coveted top 10, but it’s also rising in the ranks from the 8th place it achieved in 2022. Manchester joins Paris, New York, Los Angeles, Barcelona, and Tokyo in the rankings for 2023. Manchester has been a hub for sport for many years, including when it hosted the 2002 Commonwealth Games. Two decades on, the city continues to be a sporting powerhouse.

Home to world-class football, housing two premier league clubs Manchester United at Old Trafford and Manchester City at Etihad Stadium, the city is no stranger to hosting large-scale sporting events. But it doesn’t stop at football, Manchester is also the proud home of the National Cycling Centre, National Squash Centre, and the Aquatics Centre – some of which have big development plans due in 2025. 

On top of this, Manchester has a thriving visitor economy strengthened by sporting attractions such as the National Football Museum, Emirates Old Trafford Cricket Ground as well as both football stadiums. 

Manchester City Council says it’s ‘’very proud’’ to receive this recognition after the continuous investment that has been put into the city to help put it on the international sporting map. 

Councillor John Hacking, Executive Member Skills – Employment and Leisure has said ‘’ Hosting the Commonwealth Games cemented Manchester’s reputation as one of the leading cities for sport and two decades on participation in sport has grown, we have widened access and encouraged residents to lead more active lifestyles, connecting sport with health and well-being. The long-term benefits of sporting regeneration are not just seen at a national level but regional and local level as well as we continue to see capital investment in our sporting infrastructures, and major sporting events being held here. We have continued to expand, extend, and modernise many of our facilities.’’

Manchester Convention Bureau Sports Bidding Unit works to identify major event opportunities for Manchester, working closely with MCRActive, UK Sport, and national sports governing bodies to identify long-term bidding opportunities that will deliver huge economic and social impacts for the region. 

Manchester has a wide range of elite sports facilities that are evident in our track record of delivering large and complex events. From UEFA Champions League football to the Rugby and Cricket World Cups, international cycling events in multiple disciplines, to major events in para-sport such as this summer’s World Para Swim Championships – Manchester has proven infrastructure and experience to host major sporting events. 

After an extensive programme of events in 2023 such as Davis Cup Tennis and the Tour of Britain Cycling, events to come include the World Taekwondo Grand Prix Final in December 2023, the World Table Tennis Feeder in February 2024, plus in the long-term future with the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 and UEFA Euro 2028 Football.

To read more about what sporting events are happening around Manchester, read more on our Sport Case Studies page.