Factory International has unveiled its roster of partners confirmed for Manchester International Festival 2025 (MIF25), including Molson Coors and Tinder, as it prepares to bring another summer of world-class culture to the city this year.
Anchored at Aviva Studios – the landmark home for Factory International – and spanning locations across Greater Manchester, MIF25 will once again be powered by a diverse mix of global brands, regional champions, and creative collaborators.
More than 1,000 local people join MIF25 as participants and volunteers, with hundreds taking to the streets in the opening weekend. For the first time, this year will also see the festival expand beyond Manchester into neighbouring boroughs.
Global brands and businesses from across the region have come together to support Factory International as it presents a wide-ranging, multi-platform programme.
Molson Coors joins as the Official Beer and Cider Partner for MIF25, bringing festival-goers refreshing beer through its iconic brand Madri.
Tinder debuts at MIF25 as the Official Connections Partner, bringing its signature spark to the celebrations and turning connection into a main event. On 9 July, they’ll host Tinder Hot Matches at Aviva Studios, a high-profile activation mixing football, flirting and first dates – with events designed to help singles bond over their shared passion for the beautiful game. Enjoy a watch party followed by foosball tournament inside the Social and back-to-back DJ sets spun by real-life couples in the Undercroft. For full event details, visit the MIF25 page here.
Bruntwood, a longstanding supporter of Manchester’s cultural economy, continues its support with a dual role as Official Partner and MIF Volunteering Partner. The partnership supports hundreds of volunteers across the festival and reflects Bruntwood’s wider mission to create thriving cities through collaboration, innovation, and creativity.
Selfridges (see picture above) is also bringing the festival vibe into its stores as an Official Partner. Across three days, Selfridges will host live performances from some of Manchester’s most exciting up-and-coming musical talent as part of the MIF25 programme.
‘Dream Frequencies’ brings a taste of the iconic Festival Square to the heart of Selfridges, with local artists performing live at the Exchange Square store. Visitors can enjoy the free performances on Friday 11 July from 4pm to 8pm, and on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 July from 12 noon to 5pm as part of Selfridges’ Summer of Sound programming.
These partners join major Factory International supporters, including Aviva (Primary Partner) and adidas (Official Sportswear Partner), with each playing a key role in helping to bring the organisation’s ambitious vision to life.
Jane Hector-Jones, Brand Partnerships and Sponsorship Director at Factory International, said: “We’re excited to be working with such a dynamic group of partners for MIF25 – from global brands like adidas and Tinder to long-term supporters like Aviva, Selfridges, and Bruntwood.
“Each brings something unique to the table, whether it’s creating unmissable moments across the city or helping us bring art and culture to new audiences. These partnerships are driven by our shared values and a genuine commitment to culture, creativity and community in Manchester and beyond.”
The full programme for MIF25 (3-20 July) can be found here. The festival is set to build on the success of MIF23, which attracted over 300,000 visitors and featured more than 200 performances and events across 35 city locations.
Other confirmed partners for MIF25 include: Manchester Airport Group (Hotel and Travel Partner), Avanti West Coast (Hotel and Travel Partner), Transport for Greater Manchester (Hotel and Travel Partner), Treehouse Hotel (Hotel and Travel Partner), American Express, BDP, Electricity North West, EssenceMediacom, Eversheds Sutherland, IF_DO, Manchester Metropolitan University, Mills & Reeve LLP, Regatta, The University of Manchester, University of Salford, Buro Happold, eBay, EPR Architects, Fenix, Hawkins\Brown, Turley, and Workshop Properties.
-ENDS-
Press contact:
Basmah Ali, MC2
ABOUT FACTORY INTERNATIONAL
Factory International is the organisation behind Manchester International Festival and the city’s landmark cultural space, Aviva Studios.
Factory International commissions, produces and presents a year-round programme of original creative work and special events at Aviva Studios, online, and internationally through its network of co-commissioners and partners. It also stages the city-wide Manchester International Festival (MIF) every other year.
MIF is one of the world’s leading arts festivals, and the first to be entirely focused on the commissioning and producing of ambitious new work. Staged every two years in Manchester since 2007, the festival invites world-renowned artists from different art forms and backgrounds to create dynamic, innovative and forward-thinking new work in venues and spaces across Greater Manchester. Previous artist include, Björk, Jeremy Deller, Akram Khan, Yayoi Kusama, David Lynch, Wayne McGregor, Steve McQueen, Yoko Ono, Maxine Peake, Skepta, and The xx.
Factory International plays an important role in the lives of Greater Manchester residents, bringing jobs, skills, training and creative opportunities. Through the Factory Academy, Factory International is training the creative workforce of the future, while its pioneering creative engagement and artist development programmes create year-round opportunities for local people to get involved, from participating in flagship commissions to shaping the organisation through involvement in its public forums.
Aviva Studios was designed by the world-leading practice Office for Metropolitan Architecture (OMA), with Ellen van Loon as lead architect – their first major public building in the UK. Its development was led by Manchester City Council, with backing from HM Government and National Lottery funding from Arts Council England.
Factory International is an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation.
