2015 · rugby-world-cup ·Oct 12, 2015

Rugby World Cup 2015: Manchester (Etihad Stadium)

With just a few weeks left to go before the start of The Rugby World Cup, Centurion Rugby has been offering some help and advice on hotels, restaurants and nightlife within the areas of the UK picked to host the matches.

This week, we've picked Manchester as one of our chosen places of interest. Manchester City Stadium is situated in the east of the city, and was originally built to accommodate the 2002 Commonwealth Games. Home of Manchester City football club and with a capacity of 47,800, the stadium is ideally suited to the Rugby World Cup, having previously hosted international rugby league, and the super league's Magic Weekend event in 2012.

If you're looking for places to stay, eat or go out, we've put together a short guide below to the City of Manchester, to help celebrate the Rugby World Cup 2015.

Matches

Saturday 10th October - England v Uruguay - 20.00

Top Places to stay

Sweet Homes (0.5 miles from Stadium)

If you're looking for excellent self-catering accommodation close to the Edihad Stadium, the Sweet Homes Apart Hotel is a good choice. Located around 8 minute's drive/ 2 miles from the city centre, the apartments offer free on-site parking and Wi-Fi to all guests. Apartments include a fully-equipped kitchen, a lounge with TV and DVD player and a bathroom. The Stadium is a 10-minute walk away.

Jury's Inn Manchester (2 miles from stadium)

Located just 2 miles from the Stadium, this hotel is newly refurbished and offers excellent value for money, boasting a 24-hour front desk, a modern restaurant and stylish rooms with Wi-Fi access. Located next to Bridgewater Concert Hall and Manchster's Central Convention Centre, the railway station is just a short 5 minute walk away.

Macdonald Manchester Hotel & Spa

Located just 150 yards from Manchester Piccadilly Station, the Macdonald Manchester Hotel offers luxury accommodation for those looking for an escape from the crowds after the game. Offering an award-winning AA rosette Scottish Steal Club restaurant, sound proofed rooms, free internet access and a spa with 6 treatment rooms, a nail bar and a relaxation room, the hotel has all you'll need to unwind after a busy day. Canal Street is just 10 minutes walk away.

Top Places to Eat

Le Delicatezze di Bruno

Rated 4th on Trip Advisor out of 1,665 restaurants in Manchester, Le Delicatezze di Bruno has built up a strong reputation for serving Italian food at its very best from a very proud owner - Bruno. Located at 564, Ashton New Road in Clayton, and just 0.5 miles from the Stadium, it's the perfect place to eat after a match.

Chaophraya Thai Restaurant & Bar

If you like Thai Food, the Chaophraya in Manchester offers the very best in Thai cuisine. Located at 19, Chapel Walks off Cross Street, the Chaophraya is ranked 10th in Trip Advisor and offers a lavish restaurant and lounge bar for fine Thai dining. Located just 1.8 miles from the stadium and minutes from popular King Street, the restaurant offers excellent service and a busy atmosphere.

Pieminister

Ranked number one on Trip Advisor, the Pieminister offers something for everyone. Located at 53, Church Street and only 1.46 miles from the Stadium, locals and visitors to the city alike come flocking to this restaurant to sample the wonderful selection of pies!

Top Places to Drink

There are very few bars near to the Etihad Stadium, but due to the location of the stadium, it's very easy to get a taxi to and from the centre for a minimal price. Or, you can gain direct access to a wide range of bars and places to drink within 30 minutes' walk.

Cinnabar

Cinnabar is just a 14 minutes' walk from the stadium and 2 miles (10 minutes) drive from Piccadilly. The bar is a true work of art offering a very modern and contemporary look - following a £4.5 million refurb, it has transformed into one of the most impressive bars in Manchester, if not the UK, and is not to be missed!

Crown & Anchor

This traditional pub turned bar is located 29 minutes from the Etihad Stadium on Hilton Street in the Northern Quarter of Manchester. Highly popular with Manchester City fans and sporting visitors and locals, it's the ideal tavern in which to toast the rugby, offering an excellent choice of real ales and draught beers, complimented by an attractive roof terrace.

Urban @ DoubleTree by Hilton

This is a fantastic cocktail bar in an excellent location, inside the award-winning DoubleTree by Hilton at Manchester Piccadilly, close to the station. Offering a variety of cocktails for all tastes and occasions, if you fancy a posh post-match night out, this is certainly a bar not to be missed!

Getting there and away

Manchester City FC
Etihad Stadium
Etihad Campus
Manchester
M11 3FF
Tel: 44 161 444 1894

By foot

A safe, well lit and signposted walking route taking approximately 25 minutes, is available from Manchester Piccadilly Station, by simply following the 'City Link' signs.

By bike

You can cycle to the bus/train/Metrolink Station and leave your bike at one of the cycling parking options available, then continue your journey on public transport. Or, there are a number of bike tracks around the stadium should you wish to cycle all the way there. You can access maps containing cycle routes in each of the 10 districts of Greater Manchester.

By bus

There are a number of public bus services available from all directions. At the end of the match buses will be lined up on Ashton New Road next to the South Stand, to take spectators back to the centre.

By tram

There is a tram stop at Etihad Campus located adjacent to the Stadium beside City Square.

By metro

The Metrolink runs from the city centre and Manchester Piccadilly Station every 6 minutes (on match days) to the Epithad Campus and takes less than 10 minutes. Tickets must be purchased before travel. Please use the Ethihad Campus stop for your return journey - the Holt Town and Velopark Metrolink stops will not be open for at least an hour after the event.

By car

There are two large Park & Ride car parks located at Aston West and Ashton Moss, with a journey time of less than 25 minutes from either car park.