Manchester Gets Ready for City Parade and Pep Farewell

Liam Henderson Author 2026-05-23 13:28 4 min read

Supporters wave sky blue Manchester City flags in a crowded stadium during a match.

Contents

Parade timings across Manchester
Co-op Live After Party details
Roads closed for the parade
Travel advice for fans
Guardiola tribute at the centre of the day

Manchester City fans are expected to line the streets on Monday 25 May as the club marks its 2025/26 season with an open-top bus parade and a farewell tribute to Pep Guardiola.

The celebration will cover Manchester City’s men’s, women’s and academy teams, with free viewing along the parade route and a separate ticketed After Party at Co-op Live. Supporters planning to attend are being urged to use public transport, travel light and avoid bringing glass bottles.

Parade timings across Manchester

Build-up for the parade begins in the Northern Quarter from 4pm. The buses are due to set off at 5pm after a kick-off moment involving the teams at the start of the route.

The parade will then move through Ancoats and continue towards Ashton Old Road before ending with a final celebratory moment outside the Colin Bell West Stand Reception at the Etihad Stadium.

For fans, the most practical choice is whether to watch from the free roadside route or attend the separate Co-op Live event afterwards. Large crowds are expected, so early travel will matter, especially around Great Ancoats Street, Ashton New Road and the Etihad area.

Readers tracking wider disruption can also check our Manchester road closures guide for related route and travel information.

Co-op Live After Party details

The After Party at Co-op Live is a separate ticketed event after the parade. It is set to include live music, entertainment, player interviews from both the men’s and women’s teams, and other special guests.

The full parade will also be shown inside the venue for ticket-holders, giving supporters who are not on the street route a way to follow the celebrations before the arena programme begins.

No ticket prices or named performers were included in the council notice, so fans should check official ticketing channels before travelling to the venue.

Roads closed for the parade

A long list of temporary closures will be in place on Monday 25 May to support the event. Closures are scheduled in phases from 9am, 2pm and 3pm, with roads reopening when it is safe to do so.

Manchester Gets Ready for City Parade and Pep Farewell

From 9am to 9pm, closures include Newton Street, Back Piccadilly, Cavell Street, Dale Street, Hilton Street, Faraday Street, Port Street, Little Lever Street, Postal Street, Houldsworth Street and Little Ancoats Street.

From 2pm to 9pm, the affected area expands to include Great Ancoats Street, parts of Mancunian Way, Pin Mill Brow, George Leigh Street, Blossom Street, Jersey Street, Redhill Street, Old Mill Street, Store Street, Chapeltown Street, Adair Street and Great Street.

From 3pm to 9pm, closures include Pollard Street, Malta Street, Munday Street, Carruthers Street, Every Street, Merrill Street, Frost Street, Ashton New Road, Hillkirk Street, Councillor Street, Darley Street, Swallow Street, Rowsley Street and Grey Mare Lane.

Drivers should expect delays around Ancoats, Beswick and the Etihad Stadium corridor. The city council says road closures will be lifted only when it is safe.

Travel advice for fans

Supporters are being asked to use public transport where possible. That advice is especially relevant for anyone heading into the Northern Quarter before 4pm or moving towards Co-op Live and the Etihad Stadium later in the day.

Fans should travel light, avoid large bags and not bring drinks in glass bottles. With temperatures expected to be a factor on Monday, anyone attending for several hours should plan ahead for water, shade and journey times.

The event will bring together three parts of the club: the men’s team, women’s team and academy. It will also act as a public farewell for Guardiola after a decade that changed Manchester City’s trophy record and profile.

Guardiola tribute at the centre of the day

Manchester City Council leader Councillor Bev Craig said Guardiola’s effect had gone beyond football, describing his spell in Manchester as a “decade-long masterclass in both leadership and teamwork”.

She said his impact had helped “invigorate our communities” and positioned Manchester as “an ambitious global city with a sporting legacy like no other”.

Source: Manchester City Council