Manchester’s Summer of Sport: The Ultimate Guide

Cricket fans are in for an exciting summer at Manchester’s Emirates Old Trafford, which will host some fantastic matchups. This year, the venue will feature thrilling T20 games, with both the Women's and Men's teams competing against top-tier opposition under the lights in Manchester. Additionally, The Hundred is making its return, promising an unmissable cricket competition that blends world-class cricket with blockbuster entertainment.

England Women vs India Women T20

Emirates Old Trafford hosts England Women for the first time in 13 years this summer as they face India Women in an exciting evening of T20 cricket. 

• Date: Wednesday, July 9th 2025
• Location: Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester

England Men vs South Africa Men T20

England’s summer of home internationals finishes up in early September, as they take on South Africa in three Metro Bank ODIs and three Vitality IT20s. The Three Lions will be keen to turn the tables after South Africa came out on top in both formats when they last met back in 2022.

• Date: Friday, September 12th 2025
• Location: Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester

Vitality Blast Roses T20

The rivalry is fierce, the atmosphere electric—this is classic English cricket at its best as Lancashire Lightning's take on Yorkshire.

• Date: Friday, July 11th 2025
• Location: Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester

The Hundred 2025

Shorter, sharper, and more intense. The Hundred 2025 returns with teams bowling just 100 balls per inning. This is your chance to see Manchester Originals. Perfect for new fans and purists alike, this fast-paced format keeps the action coming.

• Date: 6th, 11th, 17th, 24th August, 2025
• Location: Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester

Manchester is set for an action-packed summer of rugby in 2025, with domestic fixtures drawing fans to the North West. The Women's Rugby World Cup, hosted across England, will bring world-class talent to the region, offering a unique opportunity to witness elite women's rugby on home soil. Meanwhile, Greater Manchester's Rugby League powerhouses—Wigan Warriors, Leigh Leopards, and Salford Red Devils—continue their Super League campaigns throughout the summer months. Manchester's rugby calendar promises excitement for all fans this summer.

Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 Comes to Manchester

• Dates: Saturday, August 23rd & Saturday, August 30th 2025
• Location: Salford Community Stadium

One of the major sporting events in the UK, the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025, will see global powerhouses clash across four competitive pools. Catch the group stage action in Salford.

Pool Line-ups:

• Pool A: England, Australia, USA, Samoa (some matches played in Salford)
• Pool B: Canada, Scotland, Wales, Fiji (matches played in Salford)
• Pool C: New Zealand, Ireland, Japan, Spain
• Pool D: France, Italy, South Africa, Brazil

Manchester's football fever continues to rise, there are some great football events lined up this summer:

Manchester Masters 2025

• Date: Friday, 5th September
• Location: AO Arena

Football fans are in for a treat as some of the greatest legends from the North West’s biggest clubs come together for the English Masters Football tournament. This thrilling six-a-side indoor event will take place for the very first time at AO Arena in Manchester on September 5th, 2025.

Masters Football has long been celebrated for reigniting classic rivalries and delivering spectacular moments, and this year’s event promises to be no exception. Fans can expect to see some of their all-time favourite players displaying their trademark skills, creativity, and passion for the game.

Misfits Boxing Presents Darren Till VS Luke Rockhold at AO Arena

This mega double-header at Ring of Thrones leads what promises to be an epic night of Misfits drama and action, with tickets now on sale. Rockhold, the former UFC Middleweight champ, has accepted the toughest assignment in crossover boxing, by taking on the in-form and fearless Till.

• Date: Saturday, August 30th 2025 
• Location: AO Arena, Hunts Bank Approach, Manchester, M3 1AR

Football City, Art United.

Here's something a little different. Football City, Art United. is a group exhibition at MIF25 featuring 11 new works by artist–footballer duos. Co-created by Juan Mata and curators Hans Ulrich Obrist and Josh Willdigg, it explores the creative links between football and art through playful, boundary-pushing collaborations in various media, with behind-the-scenes videos from around the world.

• Date: Friday, July 4 - Sunday, August 24, 2025
• Location: Aviva Studios, Manchester

UK B-Boy Championships at Aviva Studios

Breakdancing as a global sport? You better believe it. The UK B-Boy Championships will take over Aviva Studios, transforming Manchester into a high-energy arena of flips, footwork, and fierce rivalries.

With over 50 countries represented, this event promises explosive performances and cultural pride. Who will take the crown in 2025? One thing’s certain—the world will be watching.

• Date: Sunday, August 24th 2025 
• Location: The Hall, Aviva Studios, Water Street, Manchester