Passengers warned about travel disruption as Manchester hosts Arctic Monkeys, Elton John and Coldplay gigs

Passengers travelling to Manchester for gigs this weekend are being warned to plan ahead. Manchester is preparing for its busiest day on the network so far this year. 

Train strikes are planned for both Friday June 2 and Saturday June 3. Customers wishing to travel should expect train timetables and operating hours to be significantly affected across the weekend.

Between Wednesday May 31 and Sunday June 4 more than 300,000 gig-goers are expected to see some of the world’s biggest musical acts take to the stage, with Coldplay, Arctic Monkeys and Sir Elton John playing the Etihad, Emirates Old Trafford and the AO Arena. Over the weekend thousands more will also be attending the free festival We Invented the Weekend is also taking place at MediaCity and Salford Quays.

Transport for Greater Manchester is advising gig goers to use the Metrolink to get to the events across the weekend. Heavy congestion expected in the city centre has led to TfGM advising people not to travel by car. 

Sean Dyball, TfGM’s head of customer experience, said: “We’re expecting this weekend, particularly Saturday, to be one of the busiest periods of the year in Manchester, with major events taking place and due to rail strikes we expect more people to travel on our region’s roads.

“We are expecting major congestion on Saturday and we strongly encourage anyone travelling into the city centre to plan ahead and allow sufficient time for their journeys. People planning to drive should avoid the city centre and consider leaving their vehicle at a Park and Ride and using Metrolink to complete their journey.

“Throughout the weekend we will be constantly updating the customer information available on our website and across our social media channels to help people make informed journey choices, to save them time and avoid disruption to their journey.”

Nearest metrolink stops to Arctic Monkeys, Elton John and Coldplay gigs

• Arctic Monkeys- Old Trafford Cricket Ground- Old Trafford stop

• Coldplay- Etihad Stadium- Etihad Campus stop

• Elton John- AO Arena- Manchester Victoria