5-a-side Football Tournament in aid of Greater Manchester Law Centre
18/09/2026
In aid of
Kindly Sponsored By
Date: Friday 18 September 2026
Time: 14:00 – 17:30 (please be on the pitch and ready to play by 15:00!)
Location: Power League Manchester Central, 20 Union St, Manchester M12 4JD (find a map here)
Back by popular demand, we have the MLS 5-a-side Football Tournament in aid of Greater Manchester Law Centre, taking place on Friday 18th September 2026.
Book your team of up to 7 players and see who has the finest footwork and the greatest goals!
The number of teams is very limited so get your booking in quicky. It is £300 + VAT per team (£360.00) and includes a drink to toast the winners.
Cost to attend: £300.00 + VAT (£360.00) per team with a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 7 per team
Timings:
Registration 14:00
Kickoff 15:00
Trophies presented 17:00
The Tournament
This is our third year running our charity tournament, and it has only grown in popularity each year.
You can read our write-up of last year’s tournament HERE to get a taste of what to expect at our tournaments – the celebrations, the heartbreak, the drama (of course – all in good fun!)
Teams can start arriving from 14:00. Upon arrival, please register with the MLS Team (who will be based upstairs on the first floor) so we can make sure you have all arrived and, perhaps more importantly, give you your drinks tokens! Following registration, you can get changed and warm-up on the pitches before a 15:00 sharp tournament start.
A group stage will kick things off, with each team competing against others in their group. Group champions will advance to the finals. Teams eliminated in the initial round can continue playing just for the chance of the sportsman’s trophy! Therefore, if your team is knocked out in the initial rounds, you will need to stay to play for a chance to win the sportsman’s trophy.
Trophies will be presented for the champions, the runners up and the winners of the sportsman’s round in the bar afterwards. Each participant will receive a drink token to salute the champions afterwards, and a cash bar will be available.
Please note that you can have up to seven players on a team (we do suggest you bring all seven players – it can be a long day with some back-to-back matches, and we all know the power of a super sub!)
We also welcome any colleagues, friends and family to come along to spectate and cheer you on!
FAQs
Who is refereeing?
The venue will provide neutral referees to ensure fair play, give unbiased calls and keep everyone on the straight and narrow.
Who can be on the team?
Anyone! We welcome all players of any gender, age or experience level. It is a friendly tournament and a great way to meet new people while getting a bit of exercise. Teams must have a minimum of five and a maximum of seven. When booking please nominate a team captain and provide their email address and mobile number in case of any last-minute changes.
Can only MLS members play?
No! This is open to anyone who books before we get full, including but not limited to: law firms, barristers chambers, suppliers and community groups.
Are there changing rooms?
Yes – the club provides changing rooms and showers.
Do we need a team kit?
No, we will provide bibs but feel free to get some team t-shirts if you wish!
Where can I park my car?
There is ample free parking on site but you must enter your reg number when you arrive to avoid a fine.
How do I book?
Book by emailing [email protected] with the name and contact information for your captain. Please also let us know the of any access requirements we should be aware of.
I cannot stress enough there are very limited places so if you are keen to participate please get your booking in quickly!
We hope you’ll all enjoy a bit of five-a-side in the autumn sunshine (weather not guaranteed)!
By booking a place at this event you are agreeing to our terms and conditions details of which can be found here.
About Greater Manchester Law Centre
Greater Manchester Law Centre is a charity set up by local lawyers and community activists to provide free legal advice to the community across the region. They are based in Levenshulme in South Manchester but take clients from Rochdale to Reddish, from Wigan to Wythenshawe, and all places in between!
Access to legal advice is not guaranteed and can be a struggle for many people – this is particularly the case for those that are vulnerable. It is estimated that across Greater Manchester over 600,000 cannot afford access to a solicitor and fall within the “Justice Gap.”
In 2025, GMLC received over 21,000 enquiries, supported 10,600 people with their legal issues and took on over 1600 cases. They undertake a full range of advice and case support and advocacy for the cases they take on.
GMLC are team of 14 advice staff of whom half are solicitors, with 2 trainee solicitors and 5 other advice staff and caseworkers. They specialise in social welfare law, specifically housing law, welfare rights, employment and discrimination and public law.
GMLC also promote and support pro bono advice, and run clinics with solicitor partners in community care, civil litigation and family law.