Manchester will turn blue today as Manchester City hold their 2026 open-top bus parade, but the celebration will also mean a long afternoon of road closures, crowd restrictions and travel changes across the city centre and east Manchester.
The parade takes place on Monday, May 25, with City celebrating the 2025/26 achievements of their men’s, women’s and academy teams. The event is also expected to carry extra emotion for supporters as fans gather to mark Pep Guardiola’s farewell after one of the most successful managerial eras in English football.
For anyone travelling into Manchester, the main message is clear: do not leave the journey until the last minute. Several roads are closing hours before the buses move, and disruption is expected around the Northern Quarter, Ancoats, Ashton New Road and the Etihad Campus.
Man City parade road closure start times
According to Manchester City Council’s official road closure notice, closures are being introduced in phases throughout the day.
The first restrictions begin at 9am and are scheduled to remain in place until 9pm. These affect several Northern Quarter streets, including Newton Street, Back Piccadilly, Cavell Street, Dale Street, Hilton Street, Faraday Street, Port Street, Little Lever Street, Postal Street, Houldsworth Street and Little Ancoats Street.
A wider second phase starts at 2pm, also running until 9pm. This includes Great Ancoats Street, Mancunian Way, Pin Mill Brow, George Leigh Street, Blossom Street, Jersey Street, Redhill Street, Leyhall Street, Lomax Street, Old Mill Street, Store Street, Chapeltown Street, Adair Street and Great Street.
The final major phase begins at 3pm around the route towards the Etihad Stadium. Roads affected include Pollard Street, Malta Street, Munday Street, Carruthers Street, Every Street, Merrill Street, Frost Street, Ashton New Road, Hillkirk Street, Councillor Street, Darley Street, Swallow Street, Rowsley Street and Grey Mare Lane.
Although the listed closure window runs until 9pm, roads may reopen earlier or later depending on crowd movement and safety checks. Drivers should treat the evening reopening time as flexible rather than guaranteed.
Route, parade timings and travel advice
The official build-up begins from 4pm UK time in the Northern Quarter, where fans can expect live music, a large screen and a pre-parade atmosphere before the buses depart.
The open-top buses are due to set off at 5pm. The route starts around Newton Street, moves along Great Ancoats Street and Pollard Street, then continues onto Ashton New Road before finishing near the Etihad Stadium. Players are expected to arrive near Co-op Live at around 6:30pm.
Manchester City have confirmed that the parade will also be streamed live on the club’s official website and app. Supporters watching remotely will need to sign in with a free Cityzens account, as the live broadcast is being carried on City’s own digital platforms.
Fans going in person are being advised to use public transport rather than driving. Transport for Greater Manchester has issued dedicated travel guidance for the event through the Bee Network Manchester City Parade travel page, with tram services and Park & Ride options expected to be the easiest way into the area.
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There will be no general parking at the Etihad Stadium unless supporters have tickets for the separate After Party at Co-op Live. That ticketed event opens at 3pm, begins at 4pm, has final entry at 6pm, and is due to close at 8pm. Fans inside Co-op Live will be able to watch parade footage on screens before welcoming the players later in the evening.
Supporters should also note that attending both the street parade and the After Party will be difficult because both events overlap. Anyone with a Co-op Live ticket should check arrival instructions before heading to the venue.
For readers following major Manchester event disruption, Swikblog has also covered similar local travel updates, including the Manchester Christmas Parade road closures guide.
The best plan for today is to arrive early, avoid driving through the route area after late morning, and check live transport updates before setting off. With thousands expected across the city, the biggest delays are likely before the 5pm start and again after the parade finishes near the Etihad.
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