National Football Museum in Manchester

See The Greatest Collection of Football Memorabilia at The National Football Museum:

National Football Museum – Courtesy VisitBritain

Mention Manchester and its famous football team Manchester United comes to mind. Manchester is where Football League was founded, so it seems appropriate that this city with a long football tradition and the world-famous football team should become the new home of the National Football Museum.

National Football Museum

When the National Football Museum (NFM) opened in February 2001, it was the first of its kind in the world.  Previously located in Preston, Lancashire, the Museum moved to the iconic Urbis building  in Manchester city centre and has become one of the must-see Manchester attractions for football fans and non-fans alike.  The NFM plans to show visitors the ‘greatest collection of football memorabilia ever assembled’. 

NFM at the Urbis

Spread over three floors of the Urbis exhibition centre, visitors will be able to see more than 140,000 objects, works of art and photographs bringing the history of football to life. These include a rare shirt from the world’s first international match, played in 1872, the ball used in the 1966 World Cup Final and the shirt that Maradona wore during the 1986 ‘Hand of God’ quarter-final match between England and Argentina.  The Museum also explores the cultural and social impact of football on society.

In addition to the permanent exhibits, there are also be changing temporary exhibitions showing the part played by fashion, art and photography in English football.

Football’s Hall of Fame

The Museum will provide a permanent home for football’s Hall of Fame. There will be an awards ceremony every year for the new ‘legends’ added to the Hall of Fame. Football fans will be able to attend these dinner evenings and get up-close with the football legends.

The National Football Museum is a registered charity overseen by a board of trustees, all former international players. The museum’s President is Sir Bobby Charlton, is well known to football fans.

Entrance will be free with some paid-for interactive activities. Check their website for the latest on their opening date.

Address:

National Football Museum
Urbis Building
Cathedral Gardens
Manchester M4 3BG
Website:  www.nationalfootballmuseum.com

Map of Manchester:

Things to do in Manchester

Click here to get a free PDF of this post