The UK’s biggest football fan park is back by popular demand and returning to Manchester for the 2022 World Cup later this year.
Following what was a hugely successful and sold-out run during Euro 2020 – where 25,000 fans come together at different fan park locations across the UK to cheer on England’s historic Euro campaign – sporting events company, 4TheFans, has launched the first edition of its World Cup 2022 fan parks.
And Manchester’s Soccer Dome at Trafford Park is the location picked for this year’s event.
As it has now become known for, 4TheFans will be bringing back the big game atmosphere and immersive fan experience, but this time, without any necessary COVID-19 restrictions.
This means that football fans can expect huge anti-glare screens, world-class sound systems, a series of exclusive bars and food traders, DJs, competitions, and prize giveaways, all brought to you by a dedicated host for the event.
4TheFans has launched the first edition of its World Cup 2022 fan parks / Credit: 4TheFans4TheFans is bringing back the big game atmosphere and immersive fan experience to Manchester / Credit: 4TheFans
Not only that, but each match screening is also set to welcome a genuine football legend to the party – with big names such as former Manchester City and Manchester United players, Joleon Lescott and Wes Brown, lined-up for the England games.
Other stars are set to make appearances during the tournament’s Knockout games too, and their names are soon-to-be-announced, so keep your eyes peeled.
The 4TheFans Fan Parks are all about “putting football fans at the heart of the action”.
The 2022 World Cup officially kicks off on 21 November and runs right through to 18 December in Qatar, and while it’s certainly not an easy one to get to, 4TheFans is probably the next best thing to having a match ticket if you’re looking to make the most of one of the world’s most iconic sporting competitions.
The 4TheFans Fan Parks are all about “putting football fans at the heart of the action” / Credit: 4TheFans
Tickets will set you back £12 per person or £8 as part of a group booking of six, with a range of VIP table options also available.
As mentioned, previous 4TheFans events have all sold out, and for some of the games in the past, the waiting list was over 10,000 people, so if you want to make sure you’re part of the action this year, then don’t put off buying your tickets.
Hit theatre production set at a house party to visit Manchester on UK tour
Daisy Jackson
Alright then, 24 hour party people, we’ve found a theatre production you might like the sound of – it’s called The House Party, and it’s set in (you guessed it) a house party.
This smash hit production by pioneering theatre company Headlong is set to land at HOME in March as part of the arts venue’s 2025 theatre season.
It tells the tale of a wild 18th birthday party, where Christine is trying to pick up the pieces of her best friend, a newly-dumped Julie (who happens to be the birthday girl).
Themes of class, power and privilege are all explored with a raw intensity as the cast on stage plough through shots and dive head-first into a night that will change everything they know.
The House Party, which has received glowing reviews from previous showings, is filled with ‘privilege, desire and destruction’.
When it stops off in Manchester, its cast will include Bridgerton’s Sesley Hope as Christine, Synnøve Karlsen (Miss Austen, Last Night in Soho) as Julie, and Tom Lewis (Gentleman Jack, Patience) as Jon.
The ensemble of Frantic Assembly performers includes Ines Aresti, Oliver Baines, Cal Connor, Micah Corbin-Powell, Rachael Leonce, Jaheem Pinder and Jamie Randall.
The House Party is written by Laura Lomas and is a reimagining of August Strindberg’s Miss Julie for today’s generation.
It’s directed by Headlong’s artistic director Holly Race Roughan, who directed the Royal Shakespeare Company’s world premiere of David Edgar’s major new political play The New Real.
The House Party. Credit: Ikin YumThe production will be at HOME. Credit: Supplied
Movement direction will come from Frantic Assembly’s Scott Graham.
Prior to the UK tour of The House Party, Headlong celebrated its 50 year anniversary, including the hit production of A Raisin in the Sun which played nationwide.
The House Party will be at HOME in Manchester between 25 and 29 March, 2025 – you can get your tickets HERE.
Greater Manchester’s annual Repair Week is back to make you fall back in love with your stuff
Daisy Jackson
If you’re not a handy person, when something breaks, the temptation is often to abandon or bin it straight away.
But that’s just not how we’re gonna do it here in Greater Manchester any more, with the return of the annual Repair Week to help you learn valuable repair skills and save money at the same time.
Whether it’s tinkering with your bicycle, fixing up your small tech items, or having your furniture re-varnished and upcycled, there are so many places and people who are on a mission to help you fall back in love with your belongings.
There are even workshops to help you put flat-pack furniture together.
Taking place between 3 and 9 March, Repair Week will be the chance to learn skills, fix your stuff, gain repair confidence and find local fixers.
Events throughout the week (and beyond) will be hosted by community groups, businesses and plenty more.
You can sharpen knives, fix zips, and un-wobble chairs with a little hand from local repair heroes.
JillyGDesign Jewellery in Heaton Moor will fix up your sentimental and special jewellery items, while Rag Revival will help you turn unusable textiles into new creations with basic sewing skills.
There are repair cafes popping up all over Greater Manchester where you can take your belongings.
Greater Manchester’s annual Repair Week is back to make you fall back in love with your stuff. Credit: Supplied
Repair Week will highlight schemes like the Manchester Library of Things, where you can borrow the tools and equipment you need for those repair jobs at home.
During the week you’ll also be able to take a behind-the-scenes tour of the incredible Renew Hub, the UK’s biggest reuse hub, where donated items are brought back to life.
Similarly, you’ll be able to get inside the textile recycling centre run by homelessness charity Emmaus Bolton, where you can choose your own fabric from the scrap store and turn it into a very handy draught excluder to keep costs down and your heat in.
Recycle for Greater Manchester’s Repair Week will take place between 3 and 9 March, with workshops, events and resources to help you revive your belongings.
Emily Sergeant -
3rd May 2022 
