World Netball (WN) has today announced that England Netball has been awarded the rights to host the 18th edition of the Netball World Cup (NWC) in 2031.
The NWC2031 will be the third time England has hosted, following the inaugural edition in Eastbourne in 1963, where England won bronze, and the record-breaking Vitality NWC2019 in Liverpool.
The pinnacle event, featuring 16 of the world’s best netball nations, will be held at Co-op Live in Manchester, one of the world’s leading next-generation live entertainment arenas. The announcement builds on the venue’s history-making Soft & Gentle Netball Super League Grand Final, where netball became the first ball sport and the first sporting final to be staged there.
With the backing of UK Sport and Manchester City Council, England Netball set out a clear vision in their successful bid for the NWC2031, one that aligns powerfully with WN’s strategic mission to grow, play and inspire. Through the hosting of the event, WN and England Netball will together lead a Global Netball Revolution in a city built on innovation, collaboration and courage, to define the next chapter of WN’s journey, and transcend the power of sport to empower, connect and inspire the global netball family.
WN President Dame Liz Nicholl DBE said:
“On behalf of World Netball I am delighted to award England Netball the rights to host the Netball World Cup 2031.
“England last hosted our pinnacle event the Vitality Netball World Cup 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.”
Mayor of Greater Manchester Bev Craig said:
“Hosting the Netball World Cup at Co-op Live in 2031 will be a landmark moment for Greater Manchester and women’s sport.
“Building on our city region’s proud sporting heritage and track record of staging major international events, the tournament will showcase world-class netball from 16 competing countries to a global audience, inspire more people to take part in the sport and create a lasting legacy for communities across Greater Manchester.
“We look forward to working with England Netball, World Netball and partners to deliver an unforgettable event.”
The world will come to our city as Manchester host the Netball World Cup, bringing the biggest stage in our sport to the heart of the North West. It’s a moment we’ll be incredibly proud of, and we can’t wait to see our city shine, the world’s best compete and England take to court on home soil.
Karen Greig, Head Coach and Franchise Director said:
“I am incredibly proud and excited that Manchester will host the Netball World Cup in 2031. As a proud Mancunian and AO Thunder Head Coach, this feels really special.
“Manchester and the North West is a true hotbed for netball, with incredible passion for the game from grassroots right through to the elite level. Bringing the world’s best players to our city will be huge for our sport and an amazing opportunity to inspire the next generation.
“Manchester is a city that lives and breathes sport – I can’t wait to see netball take centre stage here in 2031.”
Sarah Boswell, AO Thunder CEO, added:
“Bringing the Netball World Cup to Manchester in 2031 is a landmark moment for our sport, for the city and for women’s sport in the UK.
“Manchester has an extraordinary sporting identity and ambition, and this gives us the opportunity to put netball at the heart of that story. For AO Thunder, as a five-time Super League championship club, it is particularly exciting to have the pinnacle of our sport coming to our home city.
“Over the next five years, we will use the journey to 2031 to inspire more girls and women to play, develop the next generation of athletes, coaches and leaders, grow new audiences and partnerships, and establish Manchester as a genuine global hub for netball.
“Congratulations to England Netball, World Netball, UK Sport, Manchester City Council and Co-op Live. AO Thunder is incredibly proud that our city will welcome the netball world, and we intend to play a major role in making the road to 2031 every bit as powerful as the tournament itself.”
We can’t wait to see Manchester come together and make 2031 a World Cup to remember.
