Back Manchester as a host city of England’s 2018 FIFA World Cup bid

A free event to highlight Manchester's campaign to be a host city for England's 2018 FIFA World Cup bid, will take place at Spinningfields next Tuesday (1st September).

Local hip-hop band and football fanatics Kid British will perform a fifteen-minute live set, including tracks from their latest mini-album, 'It was this or football', at Hardman Boulevard in the centre of Spinningfields.

The event will also include a couple of celebrity football guests (TBC) who will demonstrate their own support for the 2018 campaign. It begins at 5.30pm and is expected to last for one hour.

To pledge your support for Manchester's bid, visit www.manchesterworldsport.com

Sir Richard Leese, Manchester City Council leader said: "Manchester is renowned around the globe for its footballing and musical heritage so it's great that this event is combining the two.

"The World Cup is arguably the greatest sporting spectacle on the planet and bringing it to Manchester would make for an unforgettable occasion. We believe we have impeccable credentials to be a host city, including a unique bid using the stadia of both Manchester clubs.

"But other cities are vying for the right to host World Cup games if England's bid is successful and it's really important that people here show how much we want it."

Andrew Stokes, chief executive of Marketing Manchester, said: "As well as having two of the world's most highly acclaimed football teams, Manchester boasts an excellent infrastructure in terms of stadia, transport, training facilities and accommodation.

"We're also proud to have the legacy of hosting six major international sporting events in 2008, which attracted over 300,000 visitors. It's important that Manchester is part of England's 2018 bid because a World Cup in this country without the city would be completely unthinkable."

Manchester's bid to become a host city is being led by Manchester City Council, with strong support from both Manchester City and Manchester United football clubs, from Salford City Council and Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council, and from the police, the transport authority and Marketing Manchester.