A city of sport

Sport is part of Manchester’s DNA. Whether you’re interested in the glamour of the Premier League or want to see a test match at one of the world’s oldest professional cricket grounds, you’ll find almost every sport here.

But sport in Manchester is much more than recreation for our students. It provides a wide range of career paths and job opportunities, from physiotherapy to event management.

Sport is a big part of Manchester Met too. The University houses world-class facilities in the heart of the city, including the Manchester Metropolitan University Institute of Sport main building, and has forged strong industry connections with big names in the world of sport, including Manchester City FC, Manchester United FC, the Manchester Giants Basketball team and the UK Sports Institute.

Iconic venues hosting world-class events

Football

Home to not one but two world-renowned football clubs offering top-level Premier League and, more often than not, Champions League football. Both of the iconic Manchester clubs’ grounds are easily accessible from campus by public transport.

Football is a big part of Manchester Met, too, with two of our courses and a number of our staff working directly with Manchester United and Manchester City. We even boast two Lionesses among our former students, with Lauren Hemp and Esme Morgan both studying here previously.

Greater Manchester is also home to dozens of Football League and non-league clubs, not to mention the National Football Museum in the city centre, which celebrates the rich history and heritage of the beautiful game.

Rugby

Not to be outdone by the football, there are plenty of opportunities for rugby fans too.

Shared by Sale Sharks and Salford Red Devils, the AJ Bell Stadium in Eccles is the go-to place to catch both codes of rugby. There’s also the Salford Community Stadium, which will be one of the venues for the Women’s Rugby World Cup in 2025.

Manchester Met is also partnered with Sale Sharks to help develop education pathways for players.

Cricket

Home to Lancashire Cricket Club, Old Trafford Cricket Ground (located close to the football ground) is one of the oldest and most prestigious stadiums in the country. You’ll see all disciplines of the sport here, from Twenty20 right the way through to full Test cricket in both the men’s and women’s game. There’s also plenty of international cricket on display, with England matches usually drawing capacity crowds.

Cycling

As the 2024 European Capital of Cycling, Manchester has a host of venues and events for any cycling fan. Our very own MMU Sport cycling team train at the National Cycling Centre velodrome, easily reached by tram (or a short cycle) from the city centre.

The National Cycle Centre was the UK’s first indoor Olympic cycling track, and this year hosted the inaugural 2024 Tour of Britain Women. It also regularly hosts national and international championships.

Athletics

Whether you’re an amateur jogger or aspiring Olympian, Manchester has it all.

The 10km Great Manchester Run is the biggest race of its kind in Europe. Together, the 10km and half marathon make the Greater Manchester Run the third largest mass-participation sporting event in the UK (only behind the London Marathon and the Great North Run). Manchester Met staff and students join the iconic race every year as part of ‘Team Orange’, which is open to everyone.

We’re home to professional athletics facilities too – Manchester Regional Arena was originally used as the warm-up track for the 2002 Commonwealth Games, and hosted the 2024 UK Athletics Championships.

Swimming

The Manchester Aquatics Centre is across the road from our campus and has recently undergone a £32 million investment. It hosted the World Para Swimming Championships in 2023 and is currently the British Swimming Performance Centre and a key training base for the British Para Swimming team.

National centres for your favourite sports

Manchester is home to the national centres for basketball, cycling, lacrosse, squash, taekwondo and water polo. With these centres on your doorstep, you’ll have ample opportunity to spectate, and take part in, your favourite sport. You can find out more on the Institute of Sport website.