Manchester in 2023: Chanel A-listers cap year of Man City treble as excitement builds for 2024 and Co-op Live

The year of 2023 has been one of excitement for Manchester, with plenty of milestones for the city. The past 12 months have seen the city host some of the world's biggest celebrities and sporting events, plan towards the biggest indoor arena in the UK and so much more. 

Culturally the year ended with A-listers from around the globe descending on the Northern Quarter of all places for Chanel's Metier D'Arts show. Hugh Grant taking his seat under a temporary structure on Thomas Street was not what anyone had on their Manchester bingo card at the start of the year. That came shortly after we got the news Manchester will be the new home for the English National Opera.

A big event in the city this year was the reopening of the Manchester Museum. The museum reopened its doors in February, almost a year and a half after closing for refurbishment in August 2021. It has since re-taken its place amongst the city’s rich selection of attractions.

Music lovers are vast in numbers around the region and as they welcomed the opening of the new Aviva Studios, home of Factory International, excitement has been building for Co-op Live. The venue will become the UK’s biggest indoor arena when it opens its doors in April 2024. Some huge names have already been announced for Co-op Live, with singing star Olivia Rodrigo set to be the first act to perform in May. Other names including Liam Gallagher, The Killers and Nicki Minaj will follow suit across the year. 

While culturally it's been a great year for Manchester, it's also been just as good for sports fans. The Davis Cup, often referred to as the World Cup of Tennis, called the AO Arena its home for a week in September. Stars such as Andy Murray and Cameron Norrie took to the court as Great Britain won all three of their ties across the week.

The Tour of Britain cycling also got underway in Greater Manchester this year. The riders set off from Altrincham and made their way through the region to the finish line in Manchester. Thousands of fans lined the route to cheer on the fans for an event which showcased some of the amazing scenery Greater Manchester has to offer. The theme of cycling has continued since, with Manchester being named the 2024 European Cycling Capital- adding to the excitement of the year to come. 

As for the football, well, it's never dull is it? A treble for Manchester City and then there's the on-going dramas at United, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe finally getting his hands on 25 per cent. No matter how either side is performing on the field, our fine city is surely however cementing its place as England's football capital.

Leader of Manchester City Council, Cllr Bev Craig, reflected on the last 12 months in a statement. She said: "Manchester is having a year to remember. The city is buzzing and throughout 2023 we have further cemented our position as an innovative and creative world-class city which can proudly take its place on the global stage.  

"Chanel's event put the international spotlight on the city and boosted the city's economy with an influx of guests and visitors supporting our hotel industry and spending on everything that goes around staging and supporting such a high profile event. It's one example of how the city is capturing investment, visitors and attention and accolades from around the world. It came as English National Opera announced plans to relocate to the city and in the wake of the official opening of our new world-leading venue Aviva Studios, the home of Factory International.

“Earlier this year we saw blockbusting queues as the refurbished Manchester Museum reopened to great acclaim. This year we’ve reasserted our credentials as a sporting city too, hosting games in the Davis Cup – the World Cup of tennis and other international events such as cycling’s Tour of Britain and netball, taekwondo and para swimming. We are also the home of the European and English champions in men’s football in Manchester City, and it has been announced we will host games in EURO 2028.   

"A host of new start-ups and a development and investment pipeline which will see the creation of 82,000 new jobs adds to the sense of momentum. It’s no wonder international publications such as Lonely Planet and National Geographic named Manchester among their top places to visit in 2023.”