What's On in Manchester

Sea Life Manchester - Standard Entry — Start the day somewhere altogether more tranquil than the football frenzy that will grip the city come evening — beneath the waves at Sea Life Manchester. It is a genuinely magical place for families, curious kids, and anyone who has ever been hypnotised by a shark gliding silently overhead. Doors open at 10:00am, so it is the perfect morning or afternoon adventure; check the website for the latest ticket prices.

Victory at the Baths: World Cup England vs Croatia Fanzone — Watching England take on Croatia inside the stunning red-brick splendour of Victoria Baths is about as Manchester as it gets — a Grade II listed Edwardian masterpiece transformed into a roaring, flag-waving fanzone for the night. Tickets start at just £4, making this one of the most atmospheric and accessible ways to catch the 6:00pm kick-off. The tiles, the arches, the collective roar of the crowd — this is a World Cup memory in the making.

England vs Croatia World Cup fan zone with Clint Boon & friends — If you want your football served with a proper Manchester soundtrack, head to Whittles Tokyo Project in Oldham, where Inspiral Carpets legend and city music icon Clint Boon is hosting the festivities alongside friends from 6:00pm. At £6 a ticket, it is a brilliant mashup of live music energy and big-screen sport — the kind of event that turns a game into a genuine night out. Few people know how to work a crowd quite like Boon.

It'sComingHomeZone: England Vs Croatia (Manchester) — Amber's is throwing open its doors for an exuberant fanzone experience with tickets ranging from free to just £8 — one of the most wallet-friendly ways to be part of the collective roar when England get going at 6:00pm. The venue has a reputation for warm, unpretentious nights out, and surrounded by fellow fans, the atmosphere is bound to be electric. Whether you are a die-hard or a casual supporter swept up in the summer excitement, this one delivers.

Stand Up Bingo || Creatures Comedy Club — Not everyone wants to spend Wednesday night shouting at a football screen, and for those people Creatures Comedy Club has a glorious alternative: Stand Up Bingo, kicking off at 6:45pm for the almost unbelievable price of £1. It is exactly what it sounds like — comedy and bingo colliding in the best possible way, in one of Manchester's most lovably eccentric comedy spaces. A bargain night of laughs, and a very good reason to leave the game for the pub quiz crowd.

ENGLAND v CROATIA at FSC — Fairfield Social Club is a beloved community institution in east Manchester, and its £15 England vs Croatia screening at 4:00pm offers a full-evening experience with the kind of relaxed, friendly atmosphere that the FSC does so well. Getting in early means you can settle in, grab a drink, and soak up the pre-match tension without scrambling for a spot. This is the place for fans who want their football mixed with real neighbourhood spirit.