Manchester City will be celebrating its charity on Saturday 9 May, when the men’s team welcome Brentford to the Etihad Stadium in the Premier League.
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The annual ‘Community Matchday’ brings together players, fans, staff and partners in support of City in the Community.
Activities aim to increase awareness of the charity’s work, create once-in-a-lifetime opportunities for participants and support fundraising.
Men’s squad donation
This year’s impact is being bolstered by the Manchester City men’s squad who, led by the Captain’s group, have made a financial donation to the charity for the second year running.
Last season’s donation supported the charity’s Soccer Schools programme, reaching almost 700 children across 465 hours of free football.
This year, funds will be used to cover the cost of City in the Community’s ‘***City Mentoring***’ programme for 12 months, providing 1-2-1 support for vulnerable young people who need extra support and guidance due to negative factors within their lives.
The players will also be wearing City in the Community branded walk-out jackets ahead of kick-off, which will be signed and auctioned off in aid of the charity.
Commenting on the squad’s support, Rodri said: “It’s always important, of course, to help people in the local area across Manchester.
“For me, the kids are the most important part so to give them this donation enables us to support them through difficult situations they might unfortunately live daily.
“The Community Matchday is a special day; I hope that everyone who’s there enjoys it as it’s a very important initiative.”
Nico O’Reilly made a visit to a City in the Community BTEC session ahead of the community matchday.
Commenting on the donation, he said: “Supporting the Club’s charity means a lot, we all know how good they are at supporting the local community. Growing up in Manchester and being part of that same community, it means a lot to me that we can give back.
“The fans support us week-in-week-out and always show us their love, so to show love back to the City in the Community participants is a great feeling.”
Community Matchday activities
On the day, fans will be able to access bonus community content, including within the matchday programme, during half-time and across digital channels.
The fixture will also see the return of the popular ‘hand-drawn’ graphics on social media, as local school children were once again invited to draw their favourite Manchester City stars.
The stadium, which is being renamed ‘The City in the Community Etihad Stadium’ for the day, will come alive with charity branded banners before kick-off.
Those travelling to the stadium via matchday tram and bus routes might also notice a familiar voice, as Ruben Dias takes over the announcement system to help profile City in the Community.
Once again, the day is being used to create once-in-a-lifetime opportunities for City in the Community participants, including team photo spaces, announcing players off the bus on the blue carpet, presenting on the Matchday Live Show and joining the media teams.
Support City in the Community and win big
The City in the Community Matchday Lottery gives you the chance to win incredible prizes, every time Manchester City plays at home in the Premier League!
Whether you’re inside the stadium or cheering the team on from home, you won’t have to wait long to find out if you’ve bagged an unmissable prize! The winner is selected at random at full-time and contacted immediately.
For Brentford, the prizes are:
A Manchester City squad signed Puma football
Experience - Watch the First Team training in the 2026/27 season
Tickets cost just £10 with every penny helping to empower healthier lives through football.
City in the Community Chief Executive Office, Mike Geary, said: “Community Matchday is a moment in the season where everyone connected to Manchester City comes together to celebrate the impact of City in the Community.
“From supporters in the stands to staff, partners and participants, it’s a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when a football club and its community unite behind a shared purpose.
“We are incredibly grateful to the men’s squad for their continued generosity and commitment to our charity. To receive this donation for the second year running means a great deal to everyone at City in the Community, and more importantly, to the young people it will support.”
Manchester City’s charity provides fans with regular email updates, including announcements of exciting initiatives before anyone else.
To sign up and hear more all you need to do is click here.
City in the Community empowers healthier lives with city youth through football.
To find out more, visit www.mancity.com/CITC or follow the charity on social media @CITCmancity.