UA92 scores MediaCityUK takeover

University Academy 92 took over MediaCityUK on Wednesday 1st July with a full-day programme of interactive experiences, giving visitors a front-row seat to the many careers shaping the future of football.

With England’s first World Cup knockout game as the backdrop, we brought our Make the Game campaign to life, showcasing how the modern football industry relies on far more than what happens on the pitch.

The event celebrated how UA92 students and alumni are already making their mark across the industry, building careers as creators, sport scientists, marketers, analysts and storytellers.

Throughout the day, MediaCity was transformed into a hub of football-inspired activity, offering prospective students, schools and members of the public the chance to experience the different worlds that power the game.

The morning featured live podcast interviews with current UA92 students, who shared their experiences of balancing study with real-world opportunities in football. From volunteering with grassroots clubs and hosting awards ceremonies to producing content and commentating on local radio, students demonstrated the hands-on experience that sets the UA92 journey apart.

In the afternoon, we were joined by our applicants and attendees from across our schools and college networks, including William Hulme Grammar School.

Interactive workshops ran throughout the day, delivered by UA92’s Worlds Of. The World of Media gave participants the chance to step behind the microphone through vox pop and content creation activities, while the World of Sport partnered with Rezzil to offer cutting-edge VR football experiences. Visitors also got involved in football training drills led by UA92 staff. The workshops highlighted how skills in media, sport, business and digital translate directly into careers within football.

At the centre of the takeover was a five-a-side football tournament, with six teams battling it out throughout the afternoon in a showcase of teamwork, competition and community.

Matt Williams, Student Recruitment and Widening Participation Manager at UA92, said, “This takeover is about changing perceptions of what a career in football looks like. The industry needs far more than players, it needs creators, strategists, analysts and innovators. Our students are already developing those skills and gaining real-world experience, and this was an opportunity to showcase that in action.”

UA92’s takeover formed part of MediaCityUK’s wider Summer of Football programme, which is celebrating the global tournament with events, screenings and activities.