Copyright manchestereveningnews
Early Bird tickets for Manchester Pride 2026 have begun to be refunded following the ‘cancellation’ of next year’s event. Earlier this week, Manchester Pride’s Board of Trustees announced that the organisation behind the event had entered into voluntary liquidation following a series of challenges, including declining ticket sales and rising costs. A number of performers at this year’s event have claimed they have still not been paid for their appearances and now feared they may be ‘unlikely to ever be’. Representatives for the Equity union said they are working hard on recuperation options. Following the announcement, Early Bird ticketholders for the 2026 event have now been reached out by ticket provider, Skiddle, to say that they will soon receive a refund after the ‘event you have purchased tickets for has been cancelled’. Stay connected with our City Life newsletter here In August, Manchester Pride reported that all of its early bird tickets for the Gay Village Party had completely sold out within just an hour of going up on sale. At the time, the event was scheduled to take place between August 28 and 31. Manchester Council has since said there will be a Manchester Pride still taking place next year, although the scope of the event and how it will operate given the organisation’s liquidation will need to be decided in the coming months. Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has also reiterated that ‘there will be a Manchester Pride 2026’, and would be supporting Manchester Council in their efforts to hold the event. He added: "There’s a difference between Pride as an occasion we know so well and the organisation that runs it." Those who had ordered the initial Early Bird tickets have been told they will soon receive a ‘face value refund’, following the ‘unforeseen circumstances’. In an email sent to those who purchased tickets, which the M.E.N. has seen, customers were told: “Skiddle were very disappointed to hear the news about Manchester Pride yesterday particularly given the event's significant role in fostering the city's culture and inclusivity. “As we have not received any official communication from the event organisers since yesterday's announcement, however, Skiddle will shortly be processing face value refunds.” Affected customers have been told that they do not need to do anything, as the refund will be processed automatically onto the original form of payment. They will also receive an email when the refund has been processed. . Join the Manchester Evening News WhatsApp group HERE
