Manchester is home to a thriving badminton community. There are opportunities for everyone, from casual players to league competitors. With indoor leisure centres, university sports facilities, and an active network of clubs and social sessions, you'll find what you're looking for. Whether you want to book a court, join a club, or test your skills, there are numerous options available.
| Venue / Provider | Session Types & Features | Typical Fees / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sugden Sports Centre (City Centre) | 55-min courts; student, staff & public access | £7 student / £9 staff / £10 public; off-peak £4; hire £2–£3.70 |
| Moss Side Leisure Centre (Hulme) | 40- & 60-min court hire; 5-court + 2-court halls | £11.60 non-member / £9.50 MCRactive / £7.80 resident |
| Abraham Moss Leisure Centre (Crumpsall) | Court hire + 'No Strings Badminton' social sessions | Court hire £9–£15; No Strings £6.50 (non-member) / £4.00 (concession) |
| Belle Vue Sports Village (East Manchester) | 8 indoor courts; pay-and-play via Better app | £12–£16 per slot depending on booking |
| Armitage Sports Centre (Fallowfield) | Student & public Pay & Play courts | £8 student / £12 public |
| Platt Lane Sports Complex (MMU) | Affordable badminton hire for MMU students/public | £8 student / £12 public |
| Meetup & Social Sessions | 2-3 hr games, mixed abilities (No Strings/Meetups) | £6–£8.50 per session depending on venue/group |
| Manchester Badminton League Clubs | Competitive divisions & fixtures; 50+ local clubs | Clubs include Nomads, Dome, GHAP, ACE, Roe Green, Forest, Nettles, Swift Shuttlers, Yeti, Cheadle Hulme |
Where to Hire a Badminton Court in Manchester
With leisure centres and university facilities across Manchester, you can book a court for a game with friends quite easily. Many are managed by Better (GLL) in partnership with MCRactive. You can also find courses through Trafford Leisure in Greater Manchester as well as nearby badminton clubs in Liverpool. Slots typically range from £7 to £16, depending on the time of day, location, and whether or not you have a discount.
Main Court Operators
Better (GLL)
- Operates Moss Side, Belle Vue, Abraham Moss, Sugden
- Courts available in 40–60 min slots
- Prices: £9–£15 (discounts for students/residents)
- Booking via the Better UK app or website
MCRactive
- Council-backed resident discount card
- Offers reduced rates (e.g., Moss Side £7.80 resident vs £11.60 non-member)
- Covers dozens of Manchester leisure centres
- Register online to access concession prices
Trafford Leisure
- Venues in Sale, Stretford, Altrincham, Urmston, Partington
- Indoor courts with an online booking system
- Prices typically £8–£12 per hour
- Open to members and non-members
Peak-time slots (weeknights & weekends) are more expensive and get booked quickly. If you’re flexible, off-peak mornings and afternoons can save you up to 30%.
Social Sessions and Casual Play in Manchester
If you don't feel like committing to a full club membership, Manchester has plenty of drop-in badminton sessions. In these, you can turn up, meet new players, and enjoy a friendly game. No Strings Badminton and Meetup groups run sessions, too, in Manchester and across badminton clubs in London and across the country. Generally, sessions last 2-3 hours, cost £6-£10, and include shuttles and racquet hire.
Social Options
No Strings Badminton
- Run by Badminton England at centres like Abraham Moss & Moss Side
- Open to adults 16+, all abilities welcome
- Fees: ~£6.50 (non-member) / £4.00 (concession)
Meetup Groups
- Examples: Play Social Sports Manchester
- Sessions across city venues (e.g. Moss Side, Salford)
- 2–3 hours for £6–£8.50; book via Meetup/Sportas
Council and Community Drop-ins
- Offered through MCRactive and city events (e.g. Belle Vue open days)
- Occasional free tasters during festivals like National Play Day
- Great for beginners & casual players
Casual sessions are perfect if you don’t have a partner. Organisers balance matches so that everyone gets a game, regardless of their level.
Joining a Badminton Club in Manchester
Joining a badminton club in Manchester is a great way to play badminton regularly. Clubs organise games, provide a steady group of partners, and even offer access to the Manchester Badminton League. Fees typically range from £8 to £12 per session or £200 to £250 for seasonal memberships.
Club Types
Social Clubs
- Example: GHAP Badminton (inclusive LGBTQ+ club)
- Weekly social games with feather shuttles
- Pay-as-you-go around £8–£10
Intermediate / Advanced Clubs
- Example: Crescent & Nomads BC (Stretford)
- Club nights on Thursdays (Nomads £8.50 guest / £240 annual)
- Players expected to have some experience
Competitive League Clubs
- Example: Dome Badminton Club (Whalley Range)
- Meets Wednesdays 19:00–22:00 at William Hulme’s Grammar School
- Fields teams in Manchester & Stockport leagues
Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned pro, everyone is welcome at our sessions. If you're new, your first session is on us!
GHAP Badminton Club (Manchester)
Notable Badminton Clubs Manchester
Joining a club guarantees regular partners, improves your game with higher-level play, and opens the door to team matches in the Manchester badminton league.
Badminton Coaching and Classes in Manchester
Manchester offers a diverse range of coaching options for players seeking to enhance their skills, though you can also play badminton across the UK in clubs or with coaches. Coaching is a great option to make the leap from casual to competitive play, too. Prices are usually £10-£15 for group sessions, to £25-£40 for private coaching.
Coaching Options
Junior Coaching
- Many leisure centres run after-school badminton classes
- Focus on fun, footwork, and basic racket skills
- ~£10–£12 per class, often term-based
Adult Beginner Lessons
- Venues: Moss Side Leisure Centre, Abraham Moss, Belle Vue
- Structured 6–8 week programmes for newcomers
- ~£12–£15 per session, equipment included
Advanced Coaching and Academies
- Private sessions available with Badminton England–qualified coaches
- Examples: local academies like Guys & Dolls satellite sessions
- One-to-one coaching £25–£40/hour; small group training £15 each
Ask about trial lessons, as many centres and clubs offer discounted taster classes before you commit to a whole block booking.
University and Student Badminton in Manchester
Badminton is a popular indoor sport for university students in Manchester. Both the University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) have dedicated facilities, student clubs, and discounted rates for casual booking, much like the universities where you can play badminton in Birmingham. Students can enjoy affordable badminton courts, join university clubs in BUCS leagues, and participate in social play.
Student Venues
University of Manchester (UoM)
- Sugden Sports Centre (Oxford Rd): 55-minute courts, student £7, off-peak £4
- Armitage Sports Centre (Fallowfield): courts open to students & public
- UoM Badminton Club plays in BUCS competitions
Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU)
- Platt Lane Sports Complex: badminton courts at £8 (student) / £12 (public)
- Student badminton society runs weekly club nights
- Beginner to advanced levels welcome
Other Student Options
- Salford University Sports Centre also offers badminton courts
- Student-focused social sessions often advertised on MCRactive
- Great for casual play without club commitment
compared to public booking rates.
How to Book a Badminton Court in Manchester
Booking a badminton court in Manchester is quick and easy. Leisure centres tend to use the Better UK app or website, while the student facilities have their own portals. Playfinder helps you find independent halls, and SchoolHire can be used for school sports venues.
Step 1
Choose your venue
Better (Moss Side, Belle Vue, Abraham Moss, Sugden), Trafford Leisure, or a university centre
Step 2
Go online or download the app
Better UK, MCRactive, Trafford Leisure, Playfinder, or SchoolHire
Step 3
Select date & time
Check peak vs off-peak slots for savings
Step 4
Confirm your booking
Pay online with card or wallet
Step 5
Arrive ready to play
Bring your own racquet or hire one (£2–£3 at most centres)
Popular Booking Platforms in Manchester
Venues Across Greater Manchester
You can find places to play badminton across the city and in the Greater Manchester area. From north to south and across Trafford and Stockport, there are indoor courts and leisure centres. Here are a few choices.
City Centre
North Manchester
South Manchester
Trafford and Beyond
Many outer-Manchester venues (like Trafford Leisure centres) have free parking, while city-centre venues are better for public transport users.
Manchester Badminton League: How to Get Involved
The Manchester Badminton League is one of the biggest in the North West. Dozens of clubs across the city and Greater Manchester compete across multiple divisions. Fixtures run from autumn through spring, much like the badminton leagues in Edinburgh and across the UK.
League Season
September – October
New season starts
Clubs finalise teams and fixtures
November – February
Weekly home and away matches across league divisions
March – April
Play-offs and promotion/relegation battles decide divisional standings
May – June
Social tournaments, summer friendlies, and recruitment events
Example Clubs in the League
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