ARE Expo Confirms Travel and Accommodation Support for 2026 Event

Organisers of the Amusement & Retail Entertainment Expo (ARE Expo) have announced practical travel and hotel arrangements to support exhibitors and visitors attending the 2026 show in Manchester on 28–29 April.

To make planning easier for attendees travelling from across the UK and Europe, ARE Expo has published guidance on how to reach the venue and secure discounted hotel accommodation.

Easy Travel to Manchester

Manchester is conveniently served by excellent transport links, offering easy access by road, rail and air:

By Rail: Manchester is connected by regular rail services from major cities across the UK, with Manchester Piccadilly station just a short taxi or tram ride from the event area.
By Road: The city’s central motorway network provides straightforward access for car and coach travel.
By Air: Manchester Airport operates global and domestic flights, with frequent rail and tram connections into the city centre.
These options make it simple for visitors and exhibitors from the wider amusement, retail entertainment and leisure sectors to plan their journey and arrive in Manchester comfortably ahead of the show.

Discounted Hotel Options

ARE Expo has also confirmed two accommodation options designed to suit a range of attendee needs:

Hotel Football : The Official Headquarters Hotel

Located just a six-minute walk from the exhibition venue, Hotel Football has been appointed as the official headquarters hotel for ARE Expo. Exhibitors and visitors can take advantage of special negotiated group rates by booking via the dedicated event link.

Event Express Partnership

To provide additional choice, ARE Expo has partnered with specialist accommodation agency Event Express, which offers access to discounted hotel rooms across Manchester. This service comes with flexible cancellation policies, allowing attendees to amend or cancel reservations closer to the event date without charge — meaning delegates can secure preferred accommodation early and adjust plans later if needed.

The Event Express service is free to use, with no booking or transaction fees, and their friendly reservations team communicates directly with hotels on behalf of delegates.

Delegates can contact Event Express at:

Tel: +44 (0)1905 732 737
Email: reservations@eventexpressuk.com

ARE Expo Managing Director, Karen Cooke, commented:

“We want to ensure travel and stay arrangements are as straightforward as possible for our exhibitors and visitors. Manchester offers excellent connections, and we are pleased to offer both a headquarters hotel close to the venue and a flexible accommodation booking service through Event Express.”

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26 February 2026

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