Lime Venue Portfolio has announced a strategic new partnership with Manchester United, adding one of the world’s most iconic sporting venues to its growing collection of event destinations across the UK. The collaboration will see Lime Venue Portfolio operate United Events, Manchester United’s dedicated non-matchday events division, further strengthening Manchester’s position as one of the UK’s leading business events destinations.
The partnership reflects the continued growth of the meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) industry in Manchester while offering event organisers access to one of the country’s most prestigious venues.
Old Trafford Strengthens Manchester’s Business Events Industry
Known globally as the “Theatre of Dreams,” Old Trafford is more than just the home of Manchester United Football Club. Outside of matchdays, the stadium serves as a premier venue for conferences, exhibitions, gala dinners, corporate meetings, award ceremonies, and large-scale business events.
Under the new agreement, Lime Venue Portfolio will oversee United Events, managing an extensive range of corporate experiences hosted throughout the stadium. The venue features 20 event suites and more than 150 meeting rooms, providing flexible spaces suitable for everything from executive board meetings to international conferences and major exhibitions.
Iconic Event Spaces with Unique Delegate Experiences
One of Old Trafford’s biggest attractions is its ability to combine world-class event facilities with memorable sporting experiences. Many conference and meeting spaces offer panoramic views overlooking the famous football pitch, creating an inspiring setting for delegates and corporate guests.
Event organisers can also enhance their programmes by including exclusive Museum & Stadium Tours, allowing attendees to explore one of football’s most celebrated venues while creating unique networking opportunities and unforgettable delegate experiences.
The combination of premium facilities and iconic surroundings makes Old Trafford one of the UK’s most distinctive venues for corporate events.
Large Capacity Supports Major Conferences and Exhibitions
Old Trafford’s impressive infrastructure enables it to host events on a significant scale. The venue can accommodate up to 8,000 hospitality guests, making it suitable for major conferences, exhibitions, product launches, corporate celebrations, and industry conventions.
Supporting this capacity are 5,000 complimentary parking spaces, excellent road and rail connectivity, and convenient access to Manchester Airport, one of the UK’s busiest international gateways. These transport advantages make the venue highly accessible for both domestic and international delegates.
Additionally, more than 500 hotel rooms are located within walking distance of the stadium, providing excellent accommodation options for multi-day conferences, exhibitions, and business events.
Lime Venue Portfolio Highlights Manchester’s Growing Reputation
Commenting on the partnership, Jo Austin, Sales Director at Lime Venue Portfolio, described Old Trafford as one of the UK’s most iconic event venues and praised Manchester’s continued rise as a leading destination for conferences, exhibitions, and international business tourism.
She noted that the collaboration brings together two respected brands in the events industry. By combining Old Trafford’s heritage, scale, and global recognition with Lime Venue Portfolio’s expertise in venue management and event services, the partnership aims to deliver even greater value for event planners and corporate clients.
Austin also emphasized the growing demand for venues capable of delivering both memorable experiences and operational excellence at scale, positioning Old Trafford as an ideal addition to the company’s expanding portfolio.
Manchester United Aims to Grow Non-Matchday Events
Marc Armstrong, Chief Business Officer at Manchester United, welcomed the partnership and said the club is committed to increasing the profile of non-matchday events hosted at Old Trafford.
He highlighted that while Old Trafford is internationally recognised for football, it has also established itself as a highly versatile venue for conferences, exhibitions, gala dinners, and large-scale corporate functions.
Armstrong added that the collaboration with Lime Venue Portfolio will introduce more event organisers, businesses, and brands to the extensive facilities available at Old Trafford, further supporting Manchester’s growing reputation as a global events city.
Manchester Continues to Thrive as a Major Events Destination
Manchester has become one of the UK’s fastest-growing destinations for business events, attracting conferences, exhibitions, trade shows, and corporate meetings from around the world. Its modern infrastructure, excellent transport links, expanding hotel capacity, and vibrant business ecosystem continue to drive demand for world-class event venues.
The addition of Old Trafford to Lime Venue Portfolio’s collection further strengthens the city’s ability to host major national and international events while offering organisers a venue that combines history, prestige, accessibility, and modern event facilities.
Lime Venue Portfolio Continues UK Expansion
Throughout 2026, Lime Venue Portfolio has continued to expand its collection of venues across the United Kingdom. The company’s strategy focuses on partnering with distinctive venues that offer exceptional event infrastructure, flexible meeting spaces, and memorable delegate experiences.
The addition of Manchester United’s Old Trafford reinforces this approach, providing clients with access to one of the UK’s most recognised venues while supporting the continued growth of the country’s meetings and events industry.
Old Trafford Becomes a Premier Choice for Corporate Events
With its iconic status, extensive meeting facilities, excellent transport connections, and unique delegate experiences, Old Trafford is well positioned to become an even stronger destination for conferences, exhibitions, gala dinners, and corporate events.
The new partnership between Lime Venue Portfolio and Manchester United marks an important step in expanding business event opportunities in Manchester, offering organisers a world-class venue capable of delivering impactful events on both a national and international scale.
