Art Battle Manchester XXVI at Stretford Mall

Art Battle Manchester lands in Stretford for a one-night-only takeover of the Mall – transforming the soon-to-be-gone site into a buzzing, after-hours arena of live creativity.

You know the drill. 10 emerging artists, 10 easels, 30 minutes on the clock. But this time, they’re elevated on individual stages scattered throughout Stretford Mall, creating the first-ever promenade-style Art Battle Mcr – a free-roaming, high-energy night where you’re right in the middle of the action. Expect bold brushstrokes, booming tunes, and delicious street food as you decide who’s crowned the winner.

Presented by Stockport’s brilliant GRIT studios and its co-founder John McCaulay, Art Battle Mcr is not a contemplative display; it’s a communal experience. Think more paint-splattered gig than private view, free of the exhibition etiquette that can alienate, rather than attract, some audiences.

Art-making is rarely a public performance, making this a rare chance to experience the creative process in real time, in a fun and slightly feverish atmosphere as the artists race the clock. It’s not just traditional painters who take part, either: illustrators, tattooists, and street artists have all been involved in past battles.

As for the venue, with redevelopment plans in motion, this is one of the last chances to explore Stretford Mall before it’s flattened and redeveloped. And while it’s no Sistine Chapel, it does have history – including a legendary visit from the greatest battler of all time: Muhammad Ali. Ali fought with fists; these contenders come armed with paintbrushes. The title of Stretford heavyweight is up for grabs.

Brushes clash. The crowd decides. Stretford Mall goes out swinging.