Editing Greater Manchester (section)

==Sport==
{{See also|Sport in Manchester|List of football clubs in Greater Manchester}}
[[File:Old trafford february 2010.jpg|thumb|right|[[Old Trafford]], home to [[Manchester United F.C.]]]]
[[File:Reebok Stadium from Crooked Edge Hill.jpg|thumb|right|[[Bolton Wanderers F.C.]] are based at the [[University of Bolton Stadium]], in [[Horwich]].]]
[[File:Lancashire county cricket club entrance.jpg|thumb|right|The main entrance of [[Old Trafford Cricket Ground]]]]
[[File:Etihad Stadium.jpg|thumb|right|The [[City of Manchester Stadium]], the main venue of the [[2002 Commonwealth Games]] and home to [[Manchester City F.C.]]]]
Manchester hosted the [[2002 Commonwealth Games]] which was, at a cost of £200M for the sporting facilities and a further £470M for local infrastructure, by far the biggest and most expensive sporting event held in the UK at the time and the first to be an integral part of urban regeneration.<ref name=Gratton>{{cite journal |last=Gratton |first=Chris |author2=Simon Shibli |author3=Richard Coleman |year=2005 |title=Sport and Economic Regeneration in Cities |journal=Urban Studies |volume=42 |issue=5–6 |pages=985–999 |publisher=Urban Studies Journal Limited |doi=10.1080/00420980500107045 |bibcode=2005UrbSt..42..985G |s2cid=154814355}}</ref> A mix of new and existing facilities were used. New amenities included the [[Manchester Aquatics Centre]], [[Bolton Arena]], the [[National Squash Centre]], and the [[City of Manchester Stadium]]. The [[Manchester Velodrome]] was built as part of the [[Manchester bid for the 2000 Summer Olympics]].{{sfn|Parkinson-Bailey|2000|pp=249–250}} After the Commonwealth Games the City of Manchester Stadium was converted for football use, and the adjacent warm-up track upgraded to become the [[Manchester Regional Arena]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport3/commonwealthgames2002/hi/features/newsid_1993000/1993683.stm |title=City enjoys £600m windfall |work=BBC Online |date=16 June 2006 |access-date=5 January 2010 |archive-date=4 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120404173553/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport3/commonwealthgames2002/hi/features/newsid_1993000/1993683.stm |url-status=live}}<br />{{cite web |url=http://www.gameslegacy.com/cgi-bin/index.cgi/34 |title=Sporting Legacy |year=2003 |work=Commonwealth Games Legacy Manchester 2002 |publisher=Commonwealth Games Legacy |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070828013605/http://www.gameslegacy.com/cgi-bin/index.cgi/34 |url-status=dead |archive-date=28 August 2007 |access-date=23 September 2007}}</ref> Other facilities continue to be used by elite athletes.<ref name=Gratton/> Cambridge Policy Consultants estimate 4,500&nbsp;full-time jobs as a direct consequence, and Grattan points to other long-term benefits accruing from publicity and the improvement of the area's image.<ref name=Gratton/>

[[Association football]] is "woven into the cultural fabric of Greater Manchester", by way of [[List of football clubs in Greater Manchester|its numerous football clubs]] – two of which play in the [[Premier League]] – which draw support, visitors and economic benefits to Greater Manchester valued at £330 million per year as of 2013.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/300m-staggering-amount-manchester-makes-2583559 |title=£300m: The staggering amount Manchester makes from football every year |work=Manchester Evening News |date=11 April 2013 |access-date=16 April 2013 |publisher=manchestereveningnews.co.uk |first=Adam |last=Jupp |archive-date=29 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129214428/http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/300m-staggering-amount-manchester-makes-2583559 |url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Manchester Football Association]] is the sport's governing body in Greater Manchester, and is committed to its promotion and development.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.manchesterfa.com/contactus/what-we-do?c=1 |access-date=2 October 2012 |title=What we do |publisher=Manchester FA |archive-date=25 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025101428/http://www.manchesterfa.com/contactus/what-we-do?c=1 |url-status=live}}</ref> [[Manchester United F.C.]] are one of the world's best-known football teams,<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/546420-the-100-greatest-soccer-clubs-in-the-world/ |title=The 100 Greatest Soccer Clubs in the World |last=Salazar |first=Jo-Ryan |work=Bleacher Report |access-date=13 October 2017 |archive-date=14 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171014034649/http://bleacherreport.com/articles/546420-the-100-greatest-soccer-clubs-in-the-world/ |url-status=live}}</ref> and in 2008 and 2017 ''[[Forbes]]'' estimated that they were the world's richest club.<ref>{{cite news |title=Soccer Team Valuations No.&nbsp;1 Manchester United |url=https://www.forbes.com/business/lists/2008/34/biz_soccer08_Manchester-United_340001.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080503185642/http://www.forbes.com/business/lists/2008/34/biz_soccer08_Manchester-United_340001.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=3 May 2008 |work=Forbes |date=30 April 2008 |access-date=2 May 2008}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/mikeozanian/2017/06/06/the-worlds-most-valuable-soccer-teams-2017/#15c5091077ea |title=The World's Most Valuable Soccer Teams 2017 |last=Ozanian |first=Mike |work=Forbes |access-date=13 October 2017 |archive-date=3 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171003032352/https://www.forbes.com/sites/mikeozanian/2017/06/06/the-worlds-most-valuable-soccer-teams-2017/#15c5091077ea |url-status=live}}</ref> They have won the [[English football champions|League Championship]] a record twenty times (most recently in 2012–2013), the [[FA Cup]] thirteen times, the [[EFL Cup|Football League Cup]] six times and have been [[List of European Cup and UEFA Champions League winners|European Champions]] three times.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.stretfordend.co.uk/gloryglory.html |title=Glory, Glory, Man United |work=The website of dreams |access-date=2 June 2008 |archive-date=9 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130509095409/http://www.stretfordend.co.uk//gloryglory.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Their [[Old Trafford]] ground has hosted the [[FA Cup Final]], England international matches and the [[2003 UEFA Champions League Final]] between [[Juventus]] and [[A.C. Milan]]. [[Manchester City F.C.]] moved from [[Maine Road]] to the City of Manchester Stadium after the 2002 Commonwealth Games. They have won the league championship nine times (most recently in 2022–23), the FA Cup seven times, the Football League Cup eight times and have been European champions once.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mcfc.co.uk/default.sps?pagegid={B7CC47CB-001B-4A66-B8D1-42F9530F1FF7} |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071210134928/http://www.mcfc.co.uk/default.sps?pagegid=%7BB7CC47CB-001B-4A66-B8D1-42F9530F1FF7%7D |archive-date=10 December 2007 |title=Roll of honour |publisher=Manchester City FC |access-date=2 March 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Wigan Athletic F.C.]] are one of the county's younger sides and won their first major trophy in 2013, defeating Manchester City F.C. in the [[FA Cup]] final. As of season 2023–24, they play in [[EFL League One|League One]], along with [[Bolton Wanderers F.C.]] In [[EFL League Two|League Two]] are [[Salford City F.C.]] and [[Stockport County F.C.]], while [[Oldham Athletic A.F.C.]], [[Rochdale A.F.C.]] and [[Altrincham F.C.]] compete in the [[National League (division)|National League]].

In [[rugby league]], [[Wigan Warriors]], [[Leigh Leopards]], and [[Salford Red Devils]] compete in the [[Super League]], the top-level professional rugby league football club competition in Europe. Wigan have won the Super League/[[Rugby Football League Championship]] twenty–one times, the [[Challenge Cup]] nineteen times, and the [[World Club Challenge]] three times.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wiganwarriors.com/MidContent.asp?cid=8 |title=Honours |work=wiganwarriors.com |year=2008 |publisher=Wigan Warriors |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080412000013/http://www.wiganwarriors.com/MidContent.asp?cid=8 |archive-date=12 April 2008 |url-status=dead |access-date=3 May 2008}}</ref> [[Swinton Lions]], and [[Oldham R.L.F.C.]] play in the second tier [[RFL Championship|Championship]], whilst [[Rochdale Hornets]] play in the third tier [[RFL League 1|League 1]] There is also a large network of junior/community rugby league clubs across the metropolitan area which act as feeder teams to the elite sides, the most notable being Manchester Rangers. In [[rugby union]], [[Sale Sharks]] compete in the [[Guinness Premiership]], and won the league in 2006.<ref name="sale sharks">{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/english/5009064.stm |work=BBC |title=BBC Rugby Union&nbsp;– English&nbsp;– Sale 45-20 Leicester |date=27 May 2006 |access-date=5 January 2010 |archive-date=3 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181003171712/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/english/5009064.stm |url-status=live}}</ref> Whitefield based [[Sedgley Park R.U.F.C.|Sedgley Park RUFC]] and [[Sale FC Rugby Club|Sale FC]] compete in [[National Division One]], [[Manchester Rugby Club|Manchester RUFC]] in [[National Division Two]] and Wigan side [[Orrell R.U.F.C.]] in [[National Division Three North]].

[[Lancashire County Cricket Club]] began as [[Manchester Cricket Club]] and represents the ([[Ancient counties of England|ancient]]) county of Lancashire. Lancashire contested the original 1890 [[County Championship]]. The team has won the County Championship nine times, most recently in 2011.<ref>{{cite web |title=Champions at Last |url=http://www.lccc.co.uk/lccc/champions-last/ |publisher=LCCC.co.uk |access-date=4 November 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141104171227/http://www.lccc.co.uk/lccc/champions-last/ |archive-date=4 November 2014}}</ref> Their [[Old Trafford Cricket Ground|Old Trafford]] ground, near the football stadium of the same name, regularly hosts [[Test cricket|test matches]]. Possibly the most famous took place in 1956, when [[Jim Laker]] took a record nineteen wickets in the fourth test against [[Australia national cricket team|Australia]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://content-www.cricinfo.com/england/content/player/16172.html |title=Jim Laker |publisher=Cricinfo |access-date=2 May 2008 |archive-date=7 May 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080507175426/http://content-www.cricinfo.com/england/content/player/16172.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Cheshire County Cricket Club are a [[Minor counties of English cricket|minor counties]] club who sometimes play in the south of the county.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://uk.cricinfo.com/db/NATIONAL/ENG/MINOR/MCCA/GROUNDS.html |title=Minor County Grounds |publisher=Cricinfo |work=Minor Counties Cricket Association |access-date=2 May 2008 |archive-date=24 July 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080724041225/http://uk.cricinfo.com/db/NATIONAL/ENG/MINOR/MCCA/GROUNDS.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

The [[National Speedway Stadium]] in [[Gorton]] is the home to top-flight [[Motorcycle speedway|speedway]] team the [[Belle Vue Aces]],<ref>{{cite web |title=National Speedway Stadium |url=https://www.bellevue-speedway.com/the-national-speedway-stadium |access-date=11 October 2022 |website=bellevue-speedway.com |archive-date=12 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221012003701/https://www.bellevue-speedway.com/the-national-speedway-stadium |url-status=live}}</ref> and the [[Manchester Titans]] American football club.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://democracy.manchester.gov.uk/Data/Resources%20and%20Governance%20Scrutiny%20Committee/20180719/Agenda/10a._National_Speedway_Stadium_report_1.pdf |publisher=[[Manchester City Council]] |work=Resources and Governance Scrutiny Committee |title=Report on National Speedway Stadium |date=19 July 2018 |access-date=12 October 2022 |archive-date=12 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221012003703/https://democracy.manchester.gov.uk/Data/Resources%20and%20Governance%20Scrutiny%20Committee/20180719/Agenda/10a._National_Speedway_Stadium_report_1.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref> Greater Manchester was previously home to the largest [[Greyhound racing]] track in the United Kingdom, the [[Belle Vue Stadium]], which closed in 2020.<ref>{{cite news |title=Belle Vue greyhound stadium to close permanently after being hard hit by coronavirus lockdown |date=2 August 2020 |author=aul Britton |newspaper=Manchester Evening News |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/belle-vue-dog-track-close-18704041 |access-date=12 October 2022 |archive-date=12 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221012003659/https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/belle-vue-dog-track-close-18704041 |url-status=live}}</ref> Professional ice hockey is held at the purpose-designed rink in [[Altrincham]], the [[Altrincham Ice Dome]], which host the [[Manchester Storm (2015)|Manchester Storm]] of the [[Elite Ice Hockey League]] and the [[Altrincham Aces]] of the [[National Ice Hockey League]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/ice-hockey/33257684 |title=Manchester Storm reform and replace Hull in Elite League |date=24 June 2015 |work=[[BBC Sport]] |access-date=12 October 2022 |archive-date=12 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221012003701/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/ice-hockey/33257684 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Horse racing has taken place at several sites in the county. The two biggest courses were both known as [[Manchester Racecourse]]&nbsp;– though neither was within the boundaries of Manchester&nbsp;– and ran from the 17th century until 1963. Racing was at [[Kersal Moor]] until 1847 when the racecourse at [[Castle Irwell]] was opened. In 1867 racing was moved to New Barnes, [[Weaste]], until the site was vacated (for a hefty price) in 1901 to allow an expansion to [[Salford Docks|Manchester Docks]]. The land is now home to Dock 9 of the re-branded [[Salford Quays]]. Racing then moved back to Castle Irwell which later staged a [[British Classic Races|Classic]]&nbsp;– the 1941 [[St. Leger Stakes|St. Leger]]&nbsp;– and was home to the [[Lancashire Oaks]] (nowadays run at [[Haydock Park Racecourse|Haydock Park]]) and the [[November Handicap]], which was traditionally the last major race of the flat season. Through the late-1950s and early-1960s the track saw [[Scobie Breasley]] and [[Lester Piggott]] annually battle out the closing acts of the jockey's title until racing ceased on 7 November 1963.{{sfn|Ramsden|1966}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Transcript of Kersal Dale Video |url=http://www.salford.gov.uk/leisure/parks/parksinsalford/countryparks/thecliff/kersaldalevideo.htm |author=Salford Metropolitan Borough Council |publisher=Salford.gov.uk |access-date=5 March 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080527192108/http://www.salford.gov.uk/leisure/parks/parksinsalford/countryparks/thecliff/kersaldalevideo.htm |archive-date=27 May 2008}}<br />•{{cite book |author=Farrer, William |author2=Brownbill, John |title=The Victoria history of the county of Lancaster – Lancashire|orig-year=1911 |volume=4 |year=2003–2006 |publisher=University of London & History of Parliament Trust |pages=217–222 |chapter=Townships: Broughton|chapter-url=http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=41408 |access-date=25 February 2008 |archive-date=25 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110525091032/http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=41408 |url-status=live}}</ref>

The Greater Manchester Athletics Association is the governing body of athletics in Greater Manchester, and organises events and competitions within Greater Manchester.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.greatermanchesteraa.co.uk/ |publisher=greatermanchesteraa.co.uk |access-date=4 May 2011 |title=Greater Manchester Athletics Association |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110701223305/http://www.greatermanchesteraa.co.uk/ |archive-date=1 July 2011}}</ref> The [[Greater Manchester Marathon]] is a long-distance running event along a 26-mile and 385-yard course throughout the borough of Trafford.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.greatermanchestermarathon.com/runner-information/general-information |publisher=greatermanchestermarathon.com |title=General Information |author=Greater Manchester Marathon Ltd |access-date=28 April 2012 |year=2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130208080624/http://www.greatermanchestermarathon.com/runner-information/general-information |archive-date=8 February 2013}}</ref> Professional athletics takes place at the Regional Athletics Arena in [[Sportcity]], which has hosted numerous national trials, Robin Park in Wigan, Longford Park in Stretford (home to Trafford Athletic Club), Woodbank Stadium in Stockport (home to Stockport Harriers) and the Cleavleys Track in [[Winton, Greater Manchester|Winton]] (home to Salford Harriers). The 12,000{{nbsp}}seat [[Leigh Sports Village]] is a stadium and athletics venue home to the Leigh Harriers, Leigh Leopards Rugby League Club and the [[Manchester United W.F.C.]].<ref>{{cite web |title=About Us |work=Leigh Sports Village |access-date=12 October 2022 |url=https://www.leighsportsvillage.co.uk/about/ |archive-date=12 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221012003705/https://www.leighsportsvillage.co.uk/about/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

The Greater Manchester Community Basketball Club is an association which represents Greater Manchester in basketball.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://amaechibasketballcentre.com/Development/AimsObjectives/aimsObjectives.php |publisher=amaechibasketballcentre.com |access-date=4 May 2011 |title=Aims and Objectives |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110601232508/http://amaechibasketballcentre.com/Development/AimsObjectives/aimsObjectives.php |archive-date=1 June 2011}}</ref> It supports a variety of teams, including [[Manchester Magic]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.manchester.gov.uk/news/article/1172/manchesters_basketball_club_prove_they_are_magic_as_teams_qualify_for_cup_final |title=Manchester's basketball club prove they are magic as teams qualify for cup final |date=6 March 2006 |access-date=4 May 2011 |publisher=manchester.gov.uk |archive-date=30 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930184240/http://www.manchester.gov.uk/news/article/1172/manchesters_basketball_club_prove_they_are_magic_as_teams_qualify_for_cup_final |url-status=live}}</ref> The Greater Manchester County Crown Green Bowling Association appoints Junior, Senior and Veteran teams to represent Greater Manchester in the sport of [[bowls]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gmbowls.org.uk/ |publisher=gmbowls.org.uk |title=Official Website of Greater Manchester County Crown Green Bowling Association |access-date=5 May 2011 |date=2 May 2011 |archive-date=28 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110528222634/http://www.gmbowls.org.uk/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.oldham-chronicle.co.uk/news-features/13/local-sport-news/55841/county-team-dodge-a-bullet |publisher=oldham-chronicle.co.uk |work=[[Oldham Evening Chronicle]] |date=3 May 2011 |access-date=4 May 2011 |title=County team dodge a bullet |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303232931/http://www.oldham-chronicle.co.uk/news-features/13/local-sport-news/55841/county-team-dodge-a-bullet |archive-date=3 March 2016}}</ref> Founded by Greater Manchester's ten district councils in 1996, GreaterSport is the County Sports Partnership for Greater Manchester which works closely with the sports and physical activity sectors and coordinates events such as the Greater Manchester Youth Games.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.greatersport.co.uk/greater-sport/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121122003330/http://www.greatersport.co.uk/greater-sport/ |archive-date=22 November 2012 |publisher=greatersport.co.uk |author=GreaterSport |access-date=2 October 2012 |title=About GreaterSport: Greater Manchester Sports Partnership}}</ref> The Greater Manchester Sports Fund aims to ensure that people in Greater Manchester aged 12–21 competing in any kind of sport, irrespective of background, are able to obtain grants of up to £750 so that they can better fulfil their potential.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.manchestercommunitycentral.org/news/greater-manchester-sports-fund |publisher=manchestercommunitycentral.org |access-date=4 May 2011 |title=Greater Manchester Sports Fund |archive-date=19 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120119002922/http://www.manchestercommunitycentral.org/news/greater-manchester-sports-fund |url-status=dead}}</ref>