University Sport
Competitive Teams (BUCS)
Both UoM and MMU compete in BUCS (British Universities and Colleges Sport) across dozens of sports. Trials happen in freshers week and the first two weeks of term. If you played a sport at school or club level, trial – BUCS sport is the fastest way to find a social group, stay fit, and represent your university. Common BUCS sports include football, rugby, hockey, netball, basketball, cricket, swimming, athletics, tennis, and badminton. Less common ones exist too – fencing, lacrosse, water polo, Ultimate Frisbee, rowing.
What it costs: Club membership is typically £30–100/year depending on the sport. Kit and travel to away fixtures add to this. Some sports (rowing, sailing) are more expensive due to equipment and facility costs. Check with the specific club for actual costs before committing.
UoM: One of the largest university sports programmes in the UK. 44 sports clubs. Check the UoM Sport website for trial dates and contact details.
MMU: Strong in several sports including football, rugby, and basketball. Check MMU Sport for trial information.
Recreational and Social Sport
If BUCS-level competition isn’t your thing, both universities run recreational programmes:
- Intramural leagues: Internal leagues within the university – football, basketball, netball, volleyball. Lower commitment than BUCS, more social, still competitive enough to be worthwhile.
- Give It a Go sessions: Taster sessions in sports you’ve never tried. Archery, fencing, climbing, dance, martial arts. Free or very cheap. Run by the SU sports teams during term.
- 5-a-side football: Powerleague and Goals in south Manchester run regular 5-a-side leagues. Entry is about £5–7 per person per game. Get a group together and enter – Wednesday nights are popular with students.
Watching Sport in Manchester
Manchester is one of the great sporting cities. What you can see:
- Manchester City: Etihad Stadium. Premier League. Student tickets are available through the club – cheaper than standard but still £30–60. Cup games and early-round Champions League matches are sometimes cheaper.
- Manchester United: Old Trafford. Premier League. Hardest tickets to get in Manchester. Student deals exist but are limited. Check the Man Utd website for student allocations.
- Lancashire Cricket: Old Trafford Cricket Ground (not the football one). County cricket tickets start from £10–15 for day tickets. T20 matches are popular and cheaper than test cricket. Summer entertainment when the sun’s out.
- Manchester Storm (ice hockey): Play at the regional arena in east Manchester. Tickets from £10–15. Fast, exciting, and the atmosphere is good. Underrated Manchester experience.
- Sale Sharks (rugby): AJ Bell Stadium, Salford. Premiership rugby. Student tickets available. The atmosphere at big games is excellent.
- FC United of Manchester: Fan-owned club playing at Broadhurst Park in Moston. Tickets £6–10. A genuinely different football experience – community-owned, passionate, grassroots. Worth going at least once.
Free Sport and Exercise
Running routes
- Fallowfield Loop: Traffic-free. Flat. Follows the old railway line from Chorlton to Fairfield. The section from Fallowfield to Levenshulme and back is about 4km – perfect for a regular run.
- Platt Fields Park: A loop around the park perimeter is about 1.5km. Add the lake circuit for 2km. Flat, well-surfaced, well-lit on main paths.
- Whitworth Park to Platt Fields: A connecting run from campus through Whitworth Park, along Oxford Road, and into Platt Fields. About 3km one way.
- Canal towpaths: The Rochdale Canal from the city centre to Ancoats and beyond. Flat, scenic, quiet once you’re away from the city centre. The Bridgewater Canal west towards Stretford is another option.
- Heaton Park: 600 acres. Enough space for a proper long run. 30 minutes on the tram to Heaton Park station.
Parkrun
Free, timed 5km runs every Saturday at 9am. Several in Greater Manchester:
- Fletcher Moss parkrun (Didsbury): Trail-based, hilly, beautiful. 15 minutes on the bus from Fallowfield.
- Platt Fields parkrun: Flat, fast, close to student areas. 3 laps of the park.
- Heaton Park parkrun: Hilly. On the tram line.
Register once at parkrun.org.uk (free, lifetime), print your barcode, turn up. Inclusive, friendly, every fitness level welcome.
Outdoor fitness
Platt Fields Park has outdoor fitness equipment – pull-up bars, parallel bars, resistance stations. Free, open 24/7. Several other parks around south Manchester have similar installations. Combine with a run for a full outdoor workout.
Cycling
The Oxford Road cycle lane makes cycling the fastest commute option. Cycling regularly – even just to campus and back – is 30–40 minutes of exercise daily without thinking about it. The Fallowfield Loop is car-free and connects to wider cycling routes. Beryl Bikes (bike hire) are available for occasional rides if you don’t have your own.
Gyms
Full gym comparison in our cheap gyms guide. Summary: UoM Sports Centre or Manchester Aquatics Centre are the best value at around £100–150/year. PureGym and The Gym Group are £18–22/month no-contract if you need 24-hour access.