National Speedway Stadium
{{Short description|Stadium in Manchester, England}}
{{for|the former stadium on Kirkmanshulme Lane|Belle Vue Stadium}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox venue
| name = The National Speedway Stadium
| nickname = Belle Vue
| fullname =
| location = Kirkmanshulme Lane, Gorton, Manchester, United Kingdom
| coordinates = {{coord|53.46105|-2.18891|type:landmark_region:GB|display=inline,title}}
| mapframe =
| broke_ground = 2015
| built = 2015–16
| opened = 2016
| renovated =
| expanded =
| closed =
| demolished =
| architect =
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| capacity = 3,700 (seated)
6,500 total (temp stands)
| tenants = Belle Vue Aces (2016–present)
Belle Vue Colts (2016–present)
Manchester Titans (2017–present)}}
The National Speedway Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium on Kirkmanshulme Lane, in Gorton, Manchester, England, and is the home of the Belle Vue Aces and Belle Vue Colts speedway teams and the Manchester Titans American football team.{{cite web |url=https://www.better.org.uk/leisure-centre/manchester/national-speedway-stadium|title=The National Speedway Stadium|website=Better.org|access-date=10 December 2021}}
Origins and opening
In 2007, Chris Morton and David Gordon proposed that a new stadium should be built that could be used as the home for the Belle Vue Aces and be used as a national speedway stadium. Seven years later in September 2014, the planning application for the stadium was approved by Manchester City Council. The planned site on Kirkmanshulme Lane was previously a grassed area containing hockey pitches.{{cite web |url=https://www.bellevue-speedway.com/the-national-speedway-stadium|title=National Speedway Stadium|website=Belle Vue Speedway|access-date=10 December 2021}}{{cite news |last=Ostick |first=Chris |date=7 November 2016 |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/other-sport/speedway/belle-vue-aces-chris-morton-12139248 |title=Belle Vue Aces Chris Morton wants to carry on at club after ending partnership with Dave Gordon |work=Manchester Evening News |access-date=10 December 2021}}{{cite news |author= |date=10 April 2013 |url=https://www.itv.com/news/granada/2013-04-10/10m-belle-vue-sports-village-plans-unveiled |title=£10m Belle Vue Sports Village plans unveiled |website=ITV News |access-date=10 December 2021}}
Construction on the National Speedway Stadium started in October 2014 and it opened in March 2016 as part of the Belle Vue's £11 million regeneration scheme. The new stadium was built close to (separated only by synthetic hockey pitches) the former Belle Vue Stadium, which closed in 2020 and is now a site for planned housing.
History
In 2016, the stadium hosted the Race-Off and Final of the Speedway World Cup. It was won by Poland, with Great Britain coming second.{{cite web|url=https://wwosbackup.proboards.com/thread/9043/swc-2016-final-belle-vue|title=Speedway riders, history and results|website=wwosbackup|access-date=10 December 2021}}
In 2021, the stadium hosted the 2021 Speedway of Nations grand final, which was won by Great Britain.{{cite web |author= |title=Speedway: Great Britain claim first world title since 1989 with win over Poland |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/speedway/58959075 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=21 October 2021 |date=18 October 2021}} In 2024, the stadium hosted the 2024 Speedway of Nations and Speedway of Nations 2.{{cite web |title=Speedway of Nations Back in Manchester |url=https://britishspeedway.co.uk/miscellaneous/speedway-of-nations-heads-to-manchester/ |access-date=12 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231112214446/https://britishspeedway.co.uk/miscellaneous/speedway-of-nations-heads-to-manchester/ |archive-date=12 November 2023 |date=10 November 2023 |url-status=live}} In 2025, it hosted a round of the Speedway Grand Prix for the first time.{{cite web |title=Belle Vue to stage SGP in 2025 |url=https://britishspeedway.co.uk/miscellaneous/belle-vue-to-stage-sgp-in-2025/#:~:text=BELLE%20VUE%20Speedway%20have%20announced,next%20season%20on%20June%2014. |publisher=British Speedway |access-date=29 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240929194909/https://britishspeedway.co.uk/miscellaneous/belle-vue-to-stage-sgp-in-2025/ |archive-date=29 September 2024 |date=28 September 2024 |url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.pressreader.com/uk/manchester-evening-news/20240929/282604563259338?srsltid=AfmBOoraRKQwMvtnKdkyDRacnqE1IlwHd1ZoixY9lY3zXJDvCaGOFc5B|title=Historic moment as Belle Vue set to host Grand Prix|website=Manchester Evening News |access-date=1 October 2024}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Manchester B&S}}
{{Motorcycle speedway tracks}}
Category:Sports venues in Manchester
Category:Speedway venues in England
Category:2016 establishments in England