Manchester has been selected to host the 2031 Netball World Cup, marking the fourth occasion that England will stage the sport's premier global tournament. The country’s history with the event stretches back to the very first edition, which was held in Eastbourne in 1963. Since then, England has welcomed the competition to Birmingham in 1995 and to Liverpool in 2019, each time leaving a lasting legacy for the sport both domestically and internationally.
The upcoming tournament will feature sixteen national teams competing at Manchester’s Co‑op Live arena, a venue that recently hosted the Netball Super League Grand Final. The choice of Co‑op Live underscores the city’s growing reputation as a hub for major sporting spectacles, offering state‑of‑the‑art facilities, a vibrant atmosphere, and easy access for fans traveling from across the globe. England’s own performance on home soil has been impressive. The national side captured bronze medals in two of the last three World Cups held in the country, demonstrating that the home‑court advantage can translate into podium finishes.
The 2027 edition, scheduled for Australia, will see England looking to improve on the silver medal they earned in South Africa in 2023, with the ultimate aim of securing their first World Cup title. Speaking about the 2031 event, Baroness Sue Campbell, chair of England Netball, expressed her excitement: "As a proud Northerner, I am absolutely thrilled to see the world's biggest netball event coming to Manchester.
This city boasts an incredible sporting heritage and a genuine passion for bringing people together through sport. To have the best netball players in the world gathering in 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." World Netball president Dame Liz Nicholl DBE highlighted the enduring impact of previous tournaments: "England last hosted our pinnacle event 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." Fran Connolly, chief executive of England Netball, emphasized the broader significance of the tournament for women's sport: "[This World Cup] 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 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 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." The decision to award the 2031 World Cup to England reflects a strategic effort by World Netball to rotate the event among nations that can deliver both high‑quality competition and meaningful community impact. Manchester’s selection aligns with the city’s ongoing commitment to sport, as seen in its successful bids for other major events and its robust infrastructure that supports large‑scale international gatherings. Beyond the matches themselves, organizers plan to leverage the tournament to promote grassroots participation, enhance coaching standards, and expand media coverage of netball. Initiatives will include school outreach programs, coaching clinics led by elite athletes, and a comprehensive digital strategy to bring the excitement of the games to fans who cannot attend in person.
The legacy projects envisioned for 2031 aim to replicate the success of Net2019, which sparked increased participation in countries as far afield as Zambia and Argentina and inspired hundreds of thousands of women in the UK to take up the sport. Economically, the event is expected to generate significant benefits for Manchester and the wider region. Visitors from the sixteen competing nations, along with their supporters, will boost hospitality, tourism, and retail sectors.
Local businesses anticipate increased demand, while the city’s transport network will see heightened usage, prompting further investment in sustainable mobility solutions. In preparation for the tournament, England Netball is working closely with local authorities, community groups, and corporate partners to ensure that venues are ready, volunteers are trained, and safety protocols meet international standards.
The collaborative approach aims to create a seamless experience for athletes, officials, and spectators alike. As the countdown to 2031 begins, excitement is building among fans, players, and officials worldwide.
The prospect of witnessing the sport’s elite compete in a city renowned for its sporting spirit promises to deliver unforgettable moments on the court and lasting inspiration off it. With Manchester set to host the world’s biggest netball showcase, England stands poised to cement its reputation as a leading nation in the sport, both in terms of performance and in fostering a vibrant, inclusive netball community for generations to come.