OUR IMPACT IN MANCHESTER | 2025
Manchester’s 2025 annual report outlines strong progress in delivering the city’s Sport and Physical Activity Strategy, demonstrating how increased participation is contributing to healthier, happier communities.
Over the year, Manchester;
- Strengthened its leadership in sport, health and wellbeing by expanding inclusive participation pathways
- Invested in high‑quality active environments
- Improved resident‑focused communications
- Embedded low‑carbon practices
- Deepened health‑linked delivery through the Physical Activity Referral Service (PARS) and wider sector partnerships.
Through Manchester City of Cycling, the city has strengthened its global reputation for cycling and active travel, ranking 34th in the Copenhagenize Index 2025.
Manchester also hosted 32 major sporting events across 23 sports and secured future international events, including;
- Women’s T20 Cricket World Cup
- NBA Europe Global Game (2027)
- Tour de France Femmes (2027)
- EURO 2028 fixtures
- & bid for Women’s World Cup 2035 host status.
At a community level, we’ve continued to develop coaching and training programmes. Manchester;
- Awarded c.£50,000 in small grants to 48 clubs and voluntary groups to remove local barriers and build capacity.
- Targeted low cost neighbourhood‑based activation, including Active Streets, Neighbourhood Moves, walking grants and community cycling initiatives
- Leisure centres welcomed a record‑breaking 4 million visits
- School swimming engaged 8,783 pupils,
- free under‑16 swims increased by 28%,
- Parks Tennis thrived attracting 115,000 players.
Digital engagement grew to 67,000 Manchester Active Go members.
8,500 residents accessed PARS, with waiting times reduced below the Greater Manchester average.
Capital investment reached £34.5 million, including;
- £17 million in external funding supporting major upgrades to leisure facilities, parks and green spaces
- 31 new Community Use Agreements to open school facilities for wider community access.
Looking ahead to 2026 and 2027, key priorities will include;
- Tackling health inequalities, particularly reversing declining activity levels among children and young people
- Continuation of our Walk, Run, Cycle and Neighbourhood Moves campaigns
- Commitment to reduce the sport & physical activity participation gap women & girls
