EurosportAs part of organisers’ drive to include communities from around Great Britain in the London 2012 Games, Manchester will host a series of matches at Old Trafford in the football tournament and the big screen at Exchange Square will live broadcast all the key Olympic moments.
As an official London 2012 Live Site, Manchester’s Exchange Square should be buzzing as usual for key events such as Team GB's opening football match against Senegal at Old Trafford on 26th July, the opening ceremony on 27th July, the men’s 100m final on 5th August, the final of the men’s football tournament on 11th August and the closing ceremony on 12th August.
Fans enjoying the action will also be able to keep active themselves too, as there will be special Olympic sport 'have a go' sites in place on Exchange Square and Corporation Street.
Summer in Exchange Square will be a cultural as well as sporting affair with Royal Opera House productions, the Last Night of the Proms and a series of Shakespearean films also to be screened. Meanwhile, a temporary bar called the Summer House will be open from June until September, with a range of musicians and DJs lined up to perform around the Olympic activities.
Of course there will be further celebrations in Olympic ‘Live Sites’ in numerous locations across London, including Trafalgar Square, Hyde Park, Victoria Park, Potters Fields, Waltham Forest and Woolwich, and other UK cities – with Birmingham, Edinburgh, Leeds, Newcastle and Plymouth amongst the communities also joining the London 2012 party.
Check out what’s on at Manchester’s Exchange Square here.
Find Exchange Square on a map here.
How to get there?: National Rail services run to Manchester Victoria (a five minute walk), Salford Central (ten minute walk) and Manchester Piccadilly (ten to fifteen minute walk). There are also Metrolink Tram stops nearby at Victoria and Shudehill. Manchester city centre is also very well served by local bus routes.
Been to Exchange Square for the Olympic celebrations? Let us know about your experiences in the comments section below.
