Manchester Regional Arena facts for kids
| Location | Sportcity, Manchester, England |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 53°29′2″N 2°12′14″W / 53.48389°N 2.20389°W |
| Owner | Manchester City Council |
| Operator | Manchester Sport and Leisure Trust |
| Capacity | 6,500 |
| Surface | Natural grass |
| Construction | |
| Opened | April 2002 |
| Construction cost | £3.5 million |
| Main contractors | John Laing |
| Tenants | |
| AAA Championships Paralympic World Cup Belle Vue Racers Manchester City F.C. Reserves Manchester Kestrels Sale Harriers |
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The Manchester Regional Arena is a special sports ground in Manchester, England. It is mainly used for athletics (like running and jumping) and association football (soccer). This arena was first built as a warm-up track for the big 2002 Commonwealth Games. These games were held right next door at the City of Manchester Stadium.
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What is the Manchester Regional Arena?
The Manchester Regional Arena is a modern stadium designed for different sports. It has a large track for running races and areas for field events like long jump or shot put. In the middle of the track, there is a natural grass pitch used for football matches. It can hold about 6,500 people, which means many fans can come and watch the events.
A Home for Sports
The arena is a busy place for many different sports teams and events. It has hosted important athletics competitions and is also a training ground for young football players.
Athletics Events
The arena has been home to major athletics competitions. For example, it hosted the AAA Championships. It also welcomed the Paralympic World Cup, where amazing athletes with disabilities competed. Many local athletics clubs, like Sale Harriers, use the arena for training and competitions.
Football Training
Besides athletics, the arena is an important place for football. It is the current home ground for the Manchester City reserve team. This means young players who are hoping to play for the main Manchester City team train and play their matches here.
History of the Arena
The Manchester Regional Arena was opened in April 2002. It cost about £3.5 million to build. The main company that built it was John Laing.
Commonwealth Games Connection
The arena's main purpose when it was built was to be a warm-up area for the 2002 Commonwealth Games. Athletes from all over the Commonwealth came to Manchester to compete. Before their big events in the main stadium, they would warm up and practice at the Regional Arena. This helped them get ready to perform their best. After the games, the arena continued to be a valuable sports facility for the city.
Key Facts About the Arena
- Location: The arena is located in an area called Sportcity in Manchester.
- Opened: It first opened its doors in April 2002.
- Owner: The arena is owned by the Manchester City Council.
- Capacity: It can hold up to 6,500 spectators.
- Cost: Building the arena cost around £3.5 million.
- Main Uses: It is used for athletics and football.
