08/10/2026
Manchester, this one is special! 🌍🏐
In 2031, the world will come to our city as we host the Netball World Cup, bringing the biggest stage in our sport to the heart of the North West. It’s a moment we’ll be incredibly proud of, and we can’t wait to see our city shine, the world’s best compete and England take to court on home soil.
Karen Greig, Head Coach and Franchise Director said:
“I am incredibly proud and excited that Manchester will host the Netball World Cup in 2031. As a proud Mancunian and AO Thunder Head Coach, this feels really special.
“Manchester and the North West is a true hotbed for netball, with incredible passion for the game from grassroots right through to the elite level. Bringing the world’s best players to our city will be huge for our sport and an amazing opportunity to inspire the next generation.
“Manchester is a city that lives and breathes sport - I can’t wait to see netball take centre stage here in 2031.”
Sarah Boswell, AO Thunder CEO, said:
“Bringing the Netball World Cup to Manchester in 2031 is a landmark moment for our sport, for the city and for women’s sport in the UK.
“Manchester has an extraordinary sporting identity and ambition, and this gives us the opportunity to put netball at the heart of that story. For AO Thunder, as a five-time Super League championship club, it is particularly exciting to have the pinnacle of our sport coming to our home city.
“Over the next five years, we will use the journey to 2031 to inspire more girls and women to play, develop the next generation of athletes, coaches and leaders, grow new audiences and partnerships, and establish Manchester as a genuine global hub for netball.
“Congratulations to England Netball, World Netball, UK Sport, Manchester City Council and Co-op Live. AO Thunder is incredibly proud that our city will welcome the netball world, and we intend to play a major role in making the road to 2031 every bit as powerful as the tournament itself.”
We can’t wait to see Manchester come together and make 2031 a World Cup to remember 💛🖤
