Where to watch Six Nations rugby in Manchester
By: Confidential Guides
Published: 3 February 2025
The Six Nations rugby tournament kicked off at the weekend with Ireland hoping to become the first team to win three Six Nations titles in a row. In Manchester, all the main sports bars are showing the matches – and if you head over to Freight Island, you’ll find the biggest Six Nations fanzone in the UK.
It’s free entry and every ticket includes a free pint or prosecco. Roaming brass bands Dizzy Brasscals and Pent Up Pipes will be there, and Blackeye Gin will be collaborating – keep an eye out for free samples and tastings.
Head there on a Sunday and you can get a Pattersons‘ American Buffet. (The US is definitely not one of the Six Nations but it’s certainly top of the league when it comes to sports-fan-scran). The buffet includes a half chicken brined and deep-fried in their signature spice mix, or a vegetarian nut roast option, plus all-you-can-eat sides including tater tots, corn salsa, cheesy grits, homemade cornbread, and more – all for £18 per tray.
The official Guinness Six Nations Fanzone at Freight Island runs from 31 January to 15 March 2025. Get your free tickets here.
Or, if you’re not a fan of fanzones, check out our other options below for where to watch the Six Nations in Manchester. Scroll down for pubs showing the Six Nations in Manchester, plus sports bars and cool spots like Atlas and Seven Bro7her’s where you can catch all the action.
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Book Now Manchester City CentreAtlas Bar
More detailsAtlas Bar is known as one of the originals of Manchester’s modern cafe-bar scene. And for its extensive collection of gins – over 570 varieties and counting.
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Book Now Manchester City CentreFreight Island
More detailsFood hall meets music festival is how we’d describe Freight Island to anyone confused about what they’ll find at this regenerated rail depot beyond Piccadilly Station.
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Book Now AncoatsSeven Bro7hers Ancoats
More detailsThis bar on Cutting Room Square from the Seven Bro7hers Brewery clan is perfectly placed to cater for the craft beer drinkers of Ancoats.
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Book Now Media CitySeven Bro7hers Media City
More detailsA stone’s throw from their brewery and taproom, Salford alemeisters Seven Bro7hers have a beerhouse and kitchen with outside space right in the heart of MediaCity, where they’re serving up “the best pints in town” alongside a choice of hand food with which to mop up the hop.
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Manchester City CentreBOX Deansgate
More detailsBOX is all about big-screen sports, booze (including two-for-one cocktails) and blokes singing – ‘bandeoke’ is a thing and it exists here. The Manchester outpost of a popular Yorkshire concept, head here if you want a front-row seat at every match, game, fixture and fight on a high-definition wide screen. Whatever sports are being shown by Sky, BT and Box Office, you will find them on one of the 25 screens.
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Oxford RoadBrickhouse Social
More detailsBrickhouse Social is a casual place that’s all about pizza, beer and good times. Situated just off Oxford Road, in general it attracts a younger demographic perhaps enticed by the prices. It’s relatively good value for such a prime spot.
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Manchester City CentreThe Brotherhood of Pursuits and Pastimes
More detailsThe Brotherhood of Pursuits and Pastimes has a more grown-up look than most sports bars, all muted greens rather than shouty neon. However, when it comes to atmosphere, it’s a great place to watch live events.
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Oxford RoadLass O’Gowrie
More detailsManchester classic the Lass O’Gowrie won Best Pub in Britain in 2012 but suffered a loss in income (and a change of landlord) when the BBC building opposite closed. It’s now very much a Greene King pub but it still retains much of its character and charm.
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Manchester City CentreMulligans
More detailsIf you’re a fan of cosy pubs with good beer and great craic, Mulligans will be right up your alley. Located just off Deansgate, it’s full of character and is Manchester’s oldest authentic Irish pub.
