WWE Friday Night SmackDown is coming to Co-op Live Manchester on Friday 22 January 2027, as part of WWE’s 2027 Road to Royal Rumble European Tour.
The highly anticipated event will mark the first-ever WWE televised event at Co-op Live, bringing the spectacle of Friday Night SmackDown back to Manchester for the first time since 2019. Fans will have the chance to see some of WWE’s biggest Superstars in action, with Undisputed WWE Champion CM Punk, Women’s World Champion Liv Morgan, “The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes and Seth “Freakin” Rollins already confirmed to appear, alongside World Tag Team Champions The Vision and many more.
With the Road to Royal Rumble in full swing, WWE Friday Night SmackDown at Co-op Live promises to be a huge night of championship action, rivalries and unforgettable WWE moments in Manchester.
Be among the first to hear when WWE SmackDown Manchester tickets and hospitality packages become available. Sport & Music offers premium hospitality options for major events at Co-op Live, giving fans the opportunity to enjoy WWE’s return to Manchester with an elevated experience.
WWE has already confirmed several major names for Friday Night SmackDown in Manchester, with more Superstars expected to be announced ahead of the event.
CM Punk
One of WWE’s biggest and most recognisable Superstars, CM Punk is a multi-time World Champion renowned for his outspoken personality, hard-hitting style and passionate connection with fans. After returning to WWE in 2023, Punk quickly became one of the biggest attractions in professional wrestling and is heading to Manchester as the Undisputed WWE Champion.
Liv Morgan
Liv Morgan has established herself as one of WWE’s leading female Superstars, combining an unpredictable style with plenty of personality. A former Women’s World Champion and WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion, Morgan has become a major presence on WWE’s weekly programming and will be among the stars appearing at Co-op Live.
Cody Rhodes
Known as “The American Nightmare”, Cody Rhodes is one of WWE’s biggest stars and a former Undisputed WWE Champion. Rhodes has become synonymous with WWE’s biggest main-event moments since returning to the company, and his journey to the top has made him one of the most popular Superstars on the roster.
Seth “Freakin” Rollins
Seth “Freakin” Rollins is one of WWE’s most accomplished and versatile Superstars, with a career spanning multiple World Championships, WrestleMania main events and major rivalries. Known for his flamboyant personality and in-ring ability, Rollins is a proven main-event performer and one of the biggest names on the WWE roster.
The Vision
The Vision are the current reigning World Tag Team Champions, bringing championship pedigree and star power to WWE Friday Night SmackDown in Manchester. The group has quickly established itself as a major force within WWE’s tag team division, making their appearance at Co-op Live one to watch.
With WWE confirming that more Superstars will appear, fans can expect the lineup to develop as the event gets closer.
WWE Friday Night SmackDown is more than a night of professional wrestling – it is a full-scale entertainment experience. With the show coming to Co-op Live as part of the 2027 Road to Royal Rumble European Tour, fans in Manchester can expect all the drama, spectacle and excitement of one of WWE’s biggest weekly shows.
From the moment the lights go down, SmackDown delivers the atmosphere of a major WWE event. Expect huge production visuals, pyrotechnics, music and a high-energy atmosphere as WWE brings its television production to Co-op Live.
WWE’s biggest Superstars are known for their iconic entrances, with the crowd playing a huge part in the experience. Seeing the likes of CM Punk, Cody Rhodes, Seth “Freakin” Rollins and Liv Morgan make their entrances in person promises to be one of the highlights of the night.
With champions already confirmed to appear, championship action is expected to be a major part of the evening. Undisputed WWE Champion CM Punk, Women’s World Champion Liv Morgan and World Tag Team Champions The Vision will all be in Manchester, with the potential for title implications adding even more excitement to the night.
Part of what makes WWE SmackDown so unpredictable is that anything can happen. Major rivalries can escalate, new challenges can emerge and unexpected moments can unfold in front of the live crowd. With WWE’s storylines developing week by week, the SmackDown in Manchester could have significant implications for the road ahead.
The event comes just before Royal Rumble 2027, making the Manchester show an important stop on WWE’s Road to Royal Rumble European Tour. With Superstars looking to build momentum ahead of one of WWE’s biggest events of the year, fans can expect plenty of intensity as the Royal Rumble draws closer.
Watching SmackDown on television is one thing; being part of the live audience is another. The noise of thousands of fans, the atmosphere surrounding every entrance and the unpredictability of a live WWE broadcast combine to create an experience that cannot be replicated at home.
On Friday 22 January 2027, Co-op Live will become the setting for a landmark night in WWE’s Manchester history – and fans will be there to experience it live.
WWE has a long-standing relationship with Manchester, with some of the biggest names in wrestling history having competed in the city over the years. From major events at Manchester Arena to the opening of Co-op Live, Manchester has repeatedly welcomed WWE Superstars and fans from across the region.
WWE last brought SmackDown to Manchester in November 2019, when the show was recorded at Manchester Arena before being broadcast to WWE’s global television audience. The event featured some of the biggest names in WWE at the time, including Roman Reigns, The New Day and Tyson Fury.
The 2027 event will be different. Rather than returning to Manchester Arena, SmackDown will take place at Co-op Live — marking the venue’s first-ever WWE televised event.
One of the most memorable moments from WWE Raw in Manchester came in 2015, when former Manchester United star Wayne Rooney found himself at ringside — and ended up slapping WWE Superstar Wade Barrett across the face.
A very Manchester way to make your WWE debut.
With WWE Friday Night SmackDown coming to Co-op Live on 22 January 2027, Manchester is getting ready for another chapter in its long history with WWE.
WWE’s relationship with Co-op Live began in October 2024, when WWE Live became the first WWE event at the brand-new Manchester venue. WWE announced the show as its debut live event at Co-op Live, with more than 20 Superstars scheduled to appear.
However, the 2024 event was a WWE Live show rather than a televised weekly programme.
Now, WWE is returning to Manchester with Friday Night SmackDown on Friday 22 January 2027 – and this time, the stakes are even higher.
As part of WWE’s 2027 Road to Royal Rumble European Tour, SmackDown will become the first-ever WWE televised event at Co-op Live, marking another significant chapter in WWE’s history in Manchester.
With CM Punk, Liv Morgan, Cody Rhodes, Seth “Freakin” Rollins and The Vision already confirmed to appear, WWE’s return promises to be one of the biggest wrestling events Manchester has hosted in recent years.
Fans can register their interest with Sport & Music to be among the first to hear when tickets and hospitality options become available.
Friday 22 January 2027
Co-op Live.
No – WWE Live visited in 2024, but this will be the first televised WWE event at Co-op Live.
CM Punk, Liv Morgan, Cody Rhodes, Seth Rollins, The Vision and more have been announced.
Yes – it’s part of the 2027 Road to Royal Rumble European Tour.
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