Manchester to host group stage finals of 2023 Davis Cup in 'major coup' for tennis fans

Manchester has been unveiled as one of the host cities for the group stages of this year's Davis Cup finals - marking the first time the city-region has hosted the event in almost 30 years.

Widely regarded as the men’s ‘World Cup of Tennis’, the Davis Cup sees national teams from around the world compete to be named as World Champions of the sport.

Manchester has been named as one of the four host cities of this year’s group stage finals, with the AO Arena hosting the tournament on September 12-17. It will mark the first time Manchester has hosted the Davis Cup since 1994.

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Each nation will play three times over the six-day tennis competition with the top two nations from each of the four groups advancing to a quarterfinal ‘Final 8’ knock-out competition held in Malaga between November 21-26.

The International Tennis Federation (ITF) will draw the countries taking part in this year’s tournament, whilst also unveiling the three other cities to host group stage finals, in Malaga on Wednesday (March 29).

Manchester is now the fifth city in the UK to host the Davis Cup in the last ten years, joining Coventry, Glasgow, London and Birmingham. Led by captain Leon Smith, Great Britain secured their place in the Group Stages having defeated Colombia 3-1 away last month.

Manchester City Council Leader Cllr Bev Craig said: “This is a major coup for Manchester which further underlines our credentials as a great sporting city. We look forward to giving top class tennis players and fans of different nations a warm Mancunian welcome.

“I’m sure that hosting the Group Stages of the Davis Cup will not just be exciting for tennis fans, and a boost