Manchester fans set for City parade and Pep farewell: what residents need to know
Manchester City fans are expected to gather in large numbers on Monday 25 May for an open-top bus parade celebrating the club’s men’s, women’s and academy teams, while also marking the departure of Pep Guardiola after a decade at the club.
The free parade will begin building in the Northern Quarter from 4pm, with the buses due to set off at 5pm. Supporters can watch from the route, while a separate ticketed After Party will follow at Co-op Live.
Fans heading into the city are being asked to use public transport where possible, travel light, avoid bringing big bags and not bring drinks in glass bottles.
Monday parade details for Manchester supporters
The celebration is being staged for Manchester City’s achievements across the 2025/26 season, covering the men’s, women’s and academy teams.
The parade itself is free to attend along the route. The Co-op Live After Party is a separate ticketed event, with live music, entertainment, interviews with players from both senior teams and other special guests. The full parade will also be shown inside Co-op Live for ticket holders.
Key details for fans:
- Date: Monday 25 May
- Build-up: Northern Quarter from 4pm
- Parade start: 5pm
- Route areas: Northern Quarter, Ancoats and Ashton Old Road
- Finish: outside the Colin Bell West Stand Reception at the Etihad Stadium
- After Party: ticketed event at Co-op Live after the parade
Route and timings through Ancoats and the Etihad area
The parade will begin with a kick-off moment involving all teams at the start of the route before the buses move through Ancoats and continue towards Ashton Old Road.
The final celebratory moment is planned outside the Colin Bell West Stand Reception at the Etihad Stadium, placing the closing stretch close to the club’s home ground and the wider East Manchester fan zone around Co-op Live.
Crowds are likely to be heaviest near the Northern Quarter start point, along the Ancoats section and around the Etihad Stadium finish. Anyone attending with children or travelling from outside Manchester should allow extra time before and after the parade, especially near tram stops and key walking routes.
Road closures will affect the city for most of Monday
A number of roads will be temporarily closed to support the parade. Closures are scheduled in phases, with roads reopening when it is safe to do so.
From 9am to 9pm, restrictions include Newton Street, Back Piccadilly, Cavell Street, Dale Street, Hilton Street, Port Street, Little Lever Street, Houldsworth Street and Little Ancoats Street.
From 2pm to 9pm, closures expand across Great Ancoats Street, Mancunian Way, Pin Mill Brow, George Leigh Street, Blossom Street, Jersey Street, Redhill Street, Old Mill Street, Store Street and other nearby streets.
From 3pm to 9pm, further closures include Pollard Street, Malta Street, Every Street, Merrill Street, Ashton New Road, Hillkirk Street, Rowsley Street and Grey Mare Lane.
Drivers should expect delays around the Northern Quarter, Ancoats, Great Ancoats Street, Ashton New Road and the Etihad Stadium area through the afternoon and evening.
Guardiola farewell adds to the crowd pull
Pep Guardiola’s departure gives the parade a second focus beyond the season’s trophies and team achievements. The manager leaves after ten years in which Manchester City became closely associated with a sustained period of domestic and European success.
Councillor Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, said Guardiola’s impact had gone beyond football, describing his decade at the club as “a decade-long masterclass in both leadership and teamwork”.
She said he would be remembered as “a true Manchester legend” and “the honorary Mancunian he undoubtedly is”.
What fans should do before travelling
Supporters should check transport updates before setting off, leave extra time for crowded services and avoid relying on parking close to the route. Public transport is the recommended option, particularly for anyone heading to Co-op Live or the Etihad Stadium area after the parade.
Road closures will be lifted only when organisers and transport teams judge it safe.
Source: Manchester City Council
Source check Source trail
This article is based on Manchester City Council’s parade notice and separates free route details from the ticketed Co-op Live event.
- Confirmed the parade date as Monday 25 May 2026.
- Checked the public timetable: Northern Quarter build-up from 4pm and parade start at 5pm.
- Matched the route areas named in the notice: Northern Quarter, Ancoats, Ashton Old Road an...
- Separated free parade attendance from the ticketed After Party at Co-op Live.
- Source
- Manchester City Council
- Scope
- Manchester
- Updated
- 2026-05-25 16:30
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