Booking.com, one of the world’s leading digital travel companies, has created an ultimate overnight Manchester experience for Derby Day – whether a Red or a Blue.
Constructed especially for the big match on Saturday January 14th, fans who may not see eye to eye when it comes to football can still celebrate the city when the teams go head-to-head this weekend.
Aiming to unite the region’s football lovers and located slap-bang in the middle of Manchester’s two iconic football stadiums on First Street, Booking.com has built the bespoke Half-and-Half House to champion the city’s diversity. Whether a football fanatic or someone simply looking to enjoy a unique Manchester experience, guests will now have the chance to stay at the unique one-bedroom holiday home. The lucky booker and their guest will also be provided with a taxi to and from the stay, as well as a local food tour experience.
Referencing the first Manchester derby in 1881, the Half-and-Half House can be booked for a night’s stay this Thursday, for just £18.81 on a first come first serve basis.
Red or Blue mate?
With the city’s teams set to meet this weekend, the custom-built, Half-Red, Half-Blue house has been created to celebrate a rivalry which makes Manchester such a special destination.
While the red or blue debate may never be settled, the Half-and-Half House highlights how friendly rivalry is something which can be enjoyed by all. The house promotes solidarity under one roof, signifying that as much as healthy rivalry is fun, a city that comes together, thrives together. Booking.com created the house with a view to commemorating Manchester, highlighting how the city’s passion for football brings people together.
Ready to cater for anyone no matter what their football allegiance, the 7×5 metre house comes fully kitted out with red and blue décor, including a half-red, half-blue bed, toilet rolls, mugs, cushions, and even red and blue garden gnomes.
Manchester’s two teams have gone head-to-head 188 times and represent two of England’s most successful clubs, winning a combined 95 honours.
Having had a presence in the city since 2005, Booking.com has a strong affection for Manchester and the people who live there, and designed the house to recognise Mancunians’ passion for football, as well as everything else which personifies the city.
Matthias Schmid, Senior Vice President of Booking.com’s Trips Division, said: “Whenever Mancunians travel the globe, often the first thing they are asked is whether they are a ‘red or a blue’. They are brought together by their love of football.
“There’s a warmth and vibrancy in Manchester that is unrivalled anywhere else in the world. Even in rare circumstances of apparent division, there is always an underlying unity. Manchester is one, no matter which side you’re on.”
Manchester – the city that lives and breathes football
Journalist and author Andy Mitten, who is Editor of United We Stand Magazine and an expert on the cultural impact of football in Manchester and author of a book on derbies around the world, said: “The Manchester derby is one of the biggest in world football and it’s the fans who are at the heart of making it such a spectacle, be it at the stadium or watching from around the globe.
“The derby is tribal, but most Reds have mates who are Blues and vice versa. We may have different loyalties in football but it’s the fans who help make the derby what it, bring the atmosphere and make Manchester such a great football city and place to visit. So many people around the world associate the word ‘Manchester’ with football and the derby is when it all comes to a head. Both sets of fans can’t be happy at the end of the game, which adds to the tension and excitement in the build up…”
Home to two of England’s most successful football teams, as well as landmarks including the National Football Museum, the Science and Industry Museum, and Manchester Cathedral, the city receives huge volumes of international travellers.
Manchester’s tourism sector is worth around £7.9 billion a year and supports 94,000 jobs, with 119 million visitors a year coming to experience the city, many of whom will be vying to experience the city’s teams’ history.
With the red and blue house set to be removed soon after full time of the derby, Booking.com is donating the vibrant celebration of the city to Manchester’s Scouts for use at its Worsley camp.
The one-night Manchester Half-and-Half Experience is available for a lucky pair of bookers on the 12th January, 2023. The stay will become bookable exclusively on Booking.com on the 11th January 2023 at 10.00am GMT.
For more information about the Manchester Half-and-Half Experience visit https://tinyurl.com/HalfandHalfHouse.