Manchester Central is an award-winning venue in the heart of one of Europe’s most vibrant cities; the vaulted arches and station clock have made the venue an iconic city feature for more than 140 years.
This Congress Centre is located in the heart of Manchester, a city bursting with character, renowned for its strengths in research and innovation and with a rich heritage in science, technology, sport and music.
The city has a vibrant social scene and is home to an array of cultural attractions, galleries and museums, ensuring our delegates and visitors are kept entertained outside of event hours. There are a wealth of restaurants and bars on the doorstep and more than 2500 hotel bedrooms within a 5-minute walk.
The city-centre location and on-site car park means the venue is easy to reach, however you choose to travel, thanks to the city’s extensive multi-modal transport network.
History
Manchester Central began life as one of the major train station hubs of the North West. Opening in 1880, Central Station was one of the country’s great travel interchanges until 1969 when it was deemed surplus to requirements and closed.
The building escaped demolition and was given listed building status. The building was eventually purchased by Greater Manchester County Council and work started on the first ever urban regeneration project in 1982.
The Greater Manchester Exhibition and Event Centre (G-MEX) was opened by her Majesty the Queen on 21 March 1986 and the first exhibition, Enterprise North West, was held. Over the next 20 years, the G-Mex hosted a number of concerts including Manchester favourites The Smiths, The Happy Mondays, Oasis and Take That.
In 2007, the venue was re-branded as Manchester Central Convention Complex and underwent a £30 million overhaul, which was completed in 2009 and has taken the venue onto a world stage in conferencing and events. Due to its versatility, they host a huge range of events from political party conferences and gala dinners to exhibitions for food, film and travel fans. The venue has even provided a backdrop to a number of television shows including X Factor and Ninja Warrior.
Sustainability
To Manchester Central, sustainability isn’t just about protecting the natural environment – it’s about social, economic and cultural impacts too. As a leading venue, they take their responsibilities very seriously. The venue’s strategic ambition is to ensure sustainability is at the heart of everything they do.
Their sustainability strategy, ‘Our Central Future’ aims to innovate and deliver initiatives that enhance the sustainability of the venue and the services provided to all their stakeholders.
Manchester Metropolitan University is making an impact on Manchester, the UK and beyond, with a driving ambition to discover and disseminate knowledge and make higher education accessible and beneficial to all those with the passion and ability to succeed. Manchester Met delivers an outstanding student experience, recognised by its Gold standing in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF), record results in the National Student Survey (NSS) and most recently, Modern University of the Year 2026 from the Good University Guide.
The University, which celebrated its 200th anniversary in 2024, is home to 43,000 students with an alumni network of more than 360,000 graduates. 90% of its research is rated as ‘internationally excellent’ and it has been rated in the top five most sustainable universities in the UK for the past 12 years.
Manchester Met has a world-class estate, with cutting-edge equipment and facilities that provide excellent education, enable world-leading research and support career readiness. Over £400 million has been invested in the last decade to create a vibrant campus right in the heart of the global city of Manchester. Manchester Met takes sustainability seriously and is committed to achieving zero carbon by 2038.
In 2022, Manchester Met opened its Institute of Sport, which aims to harness expertise from across the world of sport to push boundaries, improve lives and shape society. This world-class institute champions all that sport can do – from strengthening communities and building a healthier society, to inspiring the next generation and pushing the limits of human performance.
We at Manchester Metropolitan University are absolutely thrilled to be the academic hosts for ECSS 2027 – the 32nd iteration of this annual showpiece event. Along with our colleagues from ECSS we look forward to welcoming you, our delegates from across the world, to Manchester in July 2027. Manchester is one of Europe’s most exciting, innovative and culturally rich cities and is now championed as one of the most liveable cities in the world. Manchester is more than just a location – it’s a story of transformation, creativity and world-changing ideas.
Known as the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution, Manchester has always been a city of firsts. It was here that modern industry took root, launching an era of innovation that reshaped the world. That legacy continues today in its thriving hubs of science, technology, health and education, having the most applied to Universities in the UK. This makes Manchester the perfect setting for a Congress focused on advancing global connection and discovery.
Central to this legacy is Manchester Metropolitan University, a driving force in academic innovation and the development of sport and exercise science as a globally recognised discipline. For the past 50 years, Manchester Met has played a pivotal role in shaping how we understand human performance, physical activity and health. Its world-leading research in sport, biomechanics, physiology and rehabilitation has directly influenced policy, elite performance and community health initiatives across the UK and beyond. Indeed, the University’s Institute of Sport, since its establishment in 2022, has become a beacon for interdisciplinary research, innovation and industry collaboration – making Manchester a city where sport and exercise science truly comes alive and drives impact.
Manchester’s contributions extend far beyond academia. Few cities can rival its sporting heritage. Home to Manchester United and Manchester City, two of the world’s most iconic football clubs, the city lives and breathes sport. It also boasts a proud history in cycling, swimming, athletics and Paralympic sport, supported by world-class training centres and passionate local communities and has been the home of many international championships.
Just as powerful is Manchester’s musical and cultural heartbeat. This is the city that gave the world Joy Division, The Smiths, Oasis and the legendary Hacienda nightclub, making it a cradle of musical revolution. Today, it continues to pulse with artistic energy – its theatres, galleries and live venues are among the most vibrant in the UK and all within an inclusive and safe city centre packed full of an extensive array of social opportunities to make this a Congress to remember.
The city’s landscapes are as diverse as its culture. From the rolling hills of the Peak District just a short journey away, to historic canals and regenerated green spaces, Manchester offers room to explore, reflect and connect.
Modern Manchester is diverse, international and welcoming. With an international airport, our global transport links are excellent, our Congress facilities outstanding and with a rich variety of accommodation, the city is ready to host friends from across the globe.
Join us in Manchester in 2027 for an ECSS Congress programme that will challenge and enable new directions in sport and exercise science in the city of rich history and cutting-edge thinking. Dynamic and vibrant Manchester will inspire and energise you.
We look forward to seeing you!
Tim Cable
Congress President (and Past President ECSS)
CONTACT US
European College of Sport Science
Am Sportpark Müngersdorf 6
50933 Cologne, Germany
Email: office@sport-science.org
Phone: +49 221 9626 2771
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