Manchester
As the capital for the North of England, Manchester is one of the nations most exciting, youthful and innovative cities. As the commercial, educational and cultural focus for the region, it is a magnet for businesses which serve local, regional and international markets. As a culmination of it’s sporting history, Manchester hosted the XVII Commonwealth Games in 2002 – involving 17 sports, 72 participating nations and over a million spectators travelling to the City from around the world. Additionally, in 2002 Manchester hosted the extremely successful Commonwealth Water Polo Tournament. Manchester has a local population of 2.8 million, with 11 million people living with 1 hours drive and 20 million (40% of England’s population) within two hours drive of the city. It’s population is cosmopolitan and culturally rich.

The City Today
The City Council is committed to developing Manchester as a city of national and international significance where people wish to live, companies choose to invest and where there is equal access to the wealth, employment and other opportunities brought by its regeneration. Manchester’s hosting of the 2002 Commonwealth Games on behalf of the nation was the result of sophisticated partnership working. Manchester is providing a platform for promoting the UK, attracting world class events and providing a substantial local legacy and infrastructure to support the continuing development of local and national achievements.

Sport not only underpins economic regeneration as a deliverer of visitors and income to the city, but the facilities sport brings are also helping to enhance the social fabric of the local communities. In east Manchester there is now a new stadium as part of the world - class Sportcity complex of facilities for elite athletes and the community alike. Manchester also has an ever - expanding sports development programme, linking facilities with young people, schools and voluntary clubs.