11 Best Sporting Attractions in Manchester

The Manchester United Museum & Stadium Tour is one of the best ways to learn about the team and what makes them one of the most successful clubs in the game. The tour is led by a guide with deep knowledge of the football club who will offer access to parts of the stadium that are usually off-limits. As a part of the tour, you'll also have access to the Old Trafford Museum, which houses numerous artefacts from Manchester United's history. You'll find the tour at the stadium in Old Trafford, just south of Central Bay.

The National Football Museum houses a massive amount of football memorabilia amongst multiple collections, showcasing around 2,500 items at a time out of their 142,500 in total. In the collection, you'll find both of the balls used in the first World Cup Final along with the shirt Maradona wore when he scored the controversial 'hand of God' goal. Temporary exhibitions are also common at this museum, and they typically change every few months. To see it all for yourself, you can head to this museum in the Urbis building, just south of the Manchester Victoria station.

Emirates Old Trafford is a popular cricket ground that dates back more than a century where you can watch a thrilling game and occasionally see a live concert. It's the second-oldest Test venue in England, dating back to 1857. Quite a few changes were implemented since then, including a new pavilion for members. While you can see a cricket game when the sport is in season, the cricket ground has occasionally also hosted concerts, showcasing iconic artists like Radiohead and The Killers. You can see it all for yourself right across the street from Trafford Town Hall by Gorse Hill.

The Manchester City Football Club Stadium & Club Tour is a comprehensive tour that not only showcases the city's football history but utilises high-end technology to do it. The standard tour will have you travelling through behind-the-scenes areas of the stadium with knowledgeable tour guides. As a part of the tour, you can also enjoy a new 360-degree cinema experience along with an audio-visual experience in the First Team changing room. Be sure to check out all the new offerings by visiting Etihad Stadium, located a few miles east of the city centre.

Old Trafford Cricket Ground, home to Lancashire County Cricket Club, is the second oldest Test cricket ground in England after the Oval. It's also the original Old Trafford sports stadium – having been built in 1857, it beats the football stadium by about 52 years. It can be easily accessed from the nearby Old Trafford tram stop.

Sitting a couple of miles south of Manchester city centre, Old Trafford has a capacity of 22,000, which can be extended for big events. Aside from being home to Lancashire County, it also hosts regular international tests and T20s.

The HSBC UK National Cycling Centre is one of the best destinations for cycling in town no matter what kind you're looking to enjoy, including track, BMX and mountain biking. This complex is primarily known for its Velodrome where you can watch or participate in track cycling. If you're looking for a more diverse experience, you can try out the BMX arena here with tracks and equipment for more extreme rides. You'll find mountain bike trails through Clayton Vale with varying skill levels and about 7.5 miles of trails in total. See it all for yourself just south of Philips Park in Clayton.

Chill Factore is a massive indoor ski slope that lets you ski and snowboard down a thrilling course no matter what time of year it is. This is one of the longest indoor ski slopes in all of the UK, and it utilises real snow to simulate that mountain feel as much as possible. Along the sides of the slope, you'll find 2 drag lifts, making it easy to reach the top to start your descent. You'll also find a beginner slope here by the large slope, along with a luge track and tubing areas. Give it a try in Dumplington, right next to the Trafford Golf Centre.

Planet Ice Altrincham is a public ice rink where you can go for a bit of ice skating or partake in something a bit more thrilling, like dancing and hockey. Since this skating rink is open to the public, you'll need to schedule a time to practice hockey or ice dancing. One of the best aspects of this rink is that it's family friendly. You can find designated sessions and courses designed for kids, including toddlers, so the rink is welcoming to beginners and experts of all ages. You'll find this rink a few miles southwest of Manchester by the Altrincham station.

Treetop Adventure Golf is a fun-filled miniature golf course that features 2 distinct courses plus a bonus hole that offers fun for the whole family to enjoy. The first course is a tropical trail with themes of vibrant foliage, while the second course makes you feel like an ancient explorer as you pass by stonework ruins. If you're feeling particularly adept at putting, be sure to try the bonus 19th hole on the course of your choosing for a chance to win a free round. You'll find this golfing adventure across the street from the Arndale Shopping Centre.