Netball World Cup coming to Manchester in 2031
Co-op Live will host 16 of the world's top netball nations
The Netball World Cup is coming to Manchester in 2031, with the tournament set to be held at Co-op Live.
World Netball has announced England Netball has been awarded the rights to host the 18th edition of the competition.
The tournament will feature 16 of the world's best netball nations.
The announcement comes in England Netball's centenary year.
The bid was supported by UK Sport and Manchester City Council.
England's fourth time as host
It will be the fourth time England has hosted the Netball World Cup.
The first edition of the tournament was held in Eastbourne in 1963, where England won bronze.
Birmingham hosted in 1995, and Liverpool hosted in 2019.
Co-op Live staged the Netball Super League Grand Final earlier this summer.
According to the organisers, netball became the first ball sport and the first sporting final to be held at the arena.
World Netball President Dame Liz Nicholl said: "On behalf of World Netball I am delighted to award England Netball the rights to host the Netball World Cup 2031.
"England last hosted our pinnacle event the Vitality Netball World Cup in 2019, for which the legacy still lives on globally through Net2019 legacy projects in Zambia and Argentina, as well as in Great Britain where 160,000 women were inspired to start playing or play more netball because of the event.
"After reviewing their strong bid, I am confident England Netball will host another thrilling international event, and I am excited to see what we can achieve together in 2031 and beyond."
Baroness Sue Campbell, Chair of England Netball, said: "As a proud Northerner, I am absolutely thrilled to see the world's biggest netball event coming to Manchester.
"This is a city with an incredible sporting heritage and a real passion for bringing people together through sport.
"To have the best netball players in the world coming to Manchester is a hugely exciting prospect, and I know the city will give them the welcome they deserve.
"This is a fantastic opportunity not only to showcase our sport on the biggest stage, but also to inspire the next generation of players and fans."
Fran Connolly, Chief Executive of England Netball, said: "Building on the huge success and legacy of Liverpool 2019, the Netball World Cup 2031 gives us a powerful platform to grow the visibility, profile and impact of women's sport and netball across the UK.
"Having witnessed the spectacle of the Soft & Gentle Netball Super League Grand Final at Co-op Live earlier this summer, we know Manchester is the perfect stage on which to take our sport to another level.
"The energy, atmosphere and ambition we saw in the arena demonstrated what is possible when women's sport is given the platform and investment it deserves.
"Hosting the Netball World Cup in Manchester will allow us to showcase the very best of our sport to a global audience, inspire more people to pick up a netball, and create a lasting legacy for players, fans and communities.
"We can't wait to work with World Netball and our delivery partners to deliver an event that sets a new benchmark for how women's sport is presented, experienced and valued."
Mayor of Greater Manchester Bev Craig said: "Hosting the Netball World Cup at Co-op Live in 2031 will be a landmark moment for Greater Manchester and women's sport.
"Building on our city region's proud sporting heritage and track record of staging major international events, the tournament will showcase world-class netball from 16 competing countries to a global audience, inspire more people to take part in the sport and create a lasting legacy for communities across Greater Manchester.
"We look forward to working with England Netball, World Netball and partners to deliver an unforgettable event."
Councillor Shazia Butt, Executive Member for Culture, Leisure and Libraries at Manchester City Council, said: "We are absolutely delighted that Manchester has been chosen to host the Netball World Cup in 2031.
"As the home of AO Thunder and a city with a proud tradition of showcasing women's sport, this is a tremendous moment for us.
"Building on the successful staging of the Netball Super League Final at Co-op Live earlier this year and Manchester's recent recognition as a Top 10 Global Sporting City for the eighth-year running, the City continues to strengthen its reputation as a leading destination for netball, driven by sporting ambition and opportunity.
"We look forward to welcoming the world and delivering an unforgettable celebration of elite netball and women's sport."
What happens next
The next Netball World Cup will be held in Sydney, Australia, from 25th August to 5th September 2027.
Australia are the current world champions.
They beat England 61-45 in the 2023 final in Cape Town, South Africa.
England's national team, the Vitality Roses, are currently third in the world rankings.