Manchester is a city that blends northern charm with forward-thinking innovation, making it an exciting hub for business events and incentive travel. With its world-class venues and buzzing cultural scene, it’s no surprise that event planners are increasingly turning to this dynamic powerhouse, which hosted the MTV EMAs in 2024 and has secured major global events in 2025, such as CYBERUK and the UK Space Conference.

Explore new hotel openings, mouth-watering new dining options, cutting-edge event spaces and discover why Manchester is one of the UK’s most exciting destinations for meetings and events.

Getting There

As the largest airport outside of London, Manchester Airport offers seamless global connectivity, making it an ideal gateway for international delegates. With direct flights to over 200 destinations, including New York, Beijing, Shanghai, Dubai and hot off the press; India, event attendees can easily reach the city from all corners of the world. Air travel is set to become even smoother with major upgrades to Terminal 2, part of a £1bn transformation project, with 70% of flights set to operate from the modernised terminal by 2025. 

For those travelling from a little closer to home, Manchester’s extensive rail network makes it one of the most accessible cities in the UK. With three major train stations - Manchester Piccadilly, Victoria, and Oxford Road - the city offers frequent direct services from London in just over two hours, as well as fast connections from Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow, and beyond.  Avanti West Coast Rail offers group rates or even the option to rent out an entire carriage - or the full train!

New Places to Stay

Manchester’s hotel scene is expanding rapidly, with 2,416 new bedrooms set to open across the city centre this year. One of the most anticipated openings is Treehouse Manchester, which launches this March following a £200m redevelopment. Offering 224 nature-inspired rooms, this eco-conscious hotel combines sustainable design with a playful, welcoming atmosphere.

For those looking for modern comfort with a Scandinavian touch, the Radisson Hotel Manchester City Centre has reopened following a major refurbishment and rebrand of the former Park Inn. It’s conveniently located next to the AO Arena and Manchester Victoria station, and the hotel features 252 contemporary rooms and suites, seven versatile meeting spaces for up to 220 delegates, alongside an all-day dining restaurant and bar. 

Opening in the Summer of 2025, Mollie’s is bringing a fresh retro-inspired experience to Manchester! It’s located in the Old Granada Studios, where the Beatles and the Sex Pistols made their first TV appearances. The hotel will feature 130 stylish rooms and a 1950’s American-style diner. The top two floors will be shared with Soho House, and offer co-working spaces, meeting rooms, executive lounges and private dining areas.

Exciting New Venues

So what about venues? Manchester’s event scene is constantly evolving, with a host of unique locations which further adds to its appeal for event planners. One not to be missed is the Etihad Stadium, home to Manchester City FC, which is set for a major transformation, with plans to increase capacity to 60,000 and introduce new facilities designed to enhance visitor experiences. 

The development includes a 400-bed hotel, an exciting stadium rooftop walk experience, and City Hall, a new conference and events space that will upgrade the venue’s existing offer. Currently the stadium has an impressive 22 event spaces, 52 executive boxes, outdoor areas, and pitch hire, and post-renovation, the fully accessible stadium will provide even more opportunities for corporate gatherings and incentive events.

The Manchester Central Convention Centre is hot on its heels and has expanded its offering with Junction, a stylish new café, restaurant, and social space. By day, it operates as a vibrant café and co-working hub, before transforming into a small-plates restaurant and cocktail bar in the evening. As the largest dedicated event space in the city centre, Manchester Central provides a significant amount of options for networking, dining, and social gatherings alongside its extensive meeting and exhibition spaces.

After a five-year restoration, the Science and Industry Museum’s Power Hall will finally reopen in 2025, offering a unique venue for events, receptions, and dinners. Home to the UK’s largest collection of working steam engines, the Grade II-listed building provides an industrial backdrop that reflects Manchester’s rich history of innovation. The museum’s 1830 Warehouse is one of the oldest railway buildings in the world, and also offers four rooms with a capacity of up to 300 people.

And finally, one of Manchester’s most unique outdoor venues, Castlefield Viaduct, is also set for expansion. The Victorian railway bridge, which opened in 2022 as an urban sky park, will be extended from 150 metres to over 350 metres, giving city visitors more access to this unique green space. The viaduct features an event space that is perfect for intimate gatherings, outdoor meetings, and sustainable incentive experiences.

Incentive Ideas

Manchester offers a vibrant mix of cultural, culinary, and entertainment experiences, making it full of ideas for incentive travel and post-event activities. Manchester’s AO Arena, one of the busiest entertainment venues in Europe, is marking its 30th anniversary in 2025 with an impressive £50m refurbishment. These upgrades include The Mezz, a brand-new bar and restaurant which offers an elevated pre-show dining experience, perfect for groups.

2025 marks the 125th anniversary of John Rylands Library, a spectacular Grade I-listed neo-Gothic landmark. The library is free to enter and will be unveiling a new collections gallery in May 2025, showcasing 40 rare and unique treasures, including Shakespeare’s First Folio and memorabilia from Manchester’s legendary music scene.

For fans of the arts, the English National Opera is set to relocate to Manchester by 2029, and has recently released a programme of events taking place in the city this year. A newly-launched walking trail guides visitors through iconic filming locations from films and shows such as The Crown, Peaky Blinders, and the world’s longest-running soap opera, Coronation Street, and is a fun and interactive way to tour the city.

Manchester’s dining scene is also getting a serious upgrade with the highly anticipated opening of Chotto Matte, set to become the city’s largest restaurant when it launches atop the St Michael’s development, overlooking Manchester Town Hall. Spanning 20,000 sq ft, this 450-seat rooftop venue will serve Japanese-Peruvian fusion Nikkei cuisine, offering an elevated dining experience with stunning city views which is ideal for high-end corporate hospitality or VIP incentives.

If that’s not quite your style, STACK, the multipurpose leisure venue made from shipping containers is opening this year on Oxford Road. This dynamic space will offer a wide range of street food options, bars and live entertainment.