Urgent travel advice has been issued for Greater Manchester as the region prepares for one of its busiest weekends of the year, with multiple events drawing over a quarter of a million visitors.
Major Events This Weekend
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has warned that more than 250,000 people will travel to various events between Friday 19 and Sunday 21 June. Highlights include Parklife Festival at Heaton Park, Take That at the Etihad Stadium, and Lily Allen and the B52s at the AO Arena. Additionally, the Women’s Cricket World Cup at Emirates Old Trafford and the Women’s Netball Final at Co-op Live will attract thousands.
Travel Advice from TfGM
Danny Vaughan, Chief Network Officer at TfGM, stated: “Greater Manchester is renowned for hosting major events, and this is no exception. We’re expecting it to be very busy across the network, with more than a quarter of a million fans travelling to various sports and music events.” He urged passengers to plan ahead, use the Bee Network app, and allow extra time.
The Bee Network and local roads will be exceptionally busy. TfGM will deploy extra staff and increase tram services, with extended operating hours to ensure safe travel home. A dedicated webpage offers travel and ticket advice for all events.
Parklife Festival
Manchester’s biggest music festival, Parklife, returns to Heaton Park on Saturday and Sunday. Headliners include Calvin Harris, Sammy Virji, Skepta, and Zara Larsson. Special Parklife travel tickets are available on the Bee Network app, covering trams and buses, including a shuttle bus every ten minutes from Aytoun Street near Piccadilly Station to Shudehill Interchange after the event.
Other Events
Take That will perform at the Etihad Stadium on all three days, while the Women’s Netball Final takes place at Co-op Live on Saturday at 3pm. Lily Allen and the B52s will play three nights at the AO Arena. The Women’s Cricket World Cup match between South Africa and India at Emirates Old Trafford on Sunday is also expected to draw large crowds.
Road and Transport Management
TfGM will monitor the network around the clock, working with police and partners. Journey times on roads near the city centre, especially the northern Inner Ring Road, Cheetham Hill Road, Oldham Road, and Ashton Old Road, are likely to increase. Travelers are advised to use public transport or avoid peak times between 4pm-7pm and 10pm-midnight on Saturday and Sunday.
Extra TravelSafe Support Officers will be present to assist passengers throughout the weekend.
