Battle of the Blooms – World Cup of Floristry coming to Manchester

Manchester is to host the world’s biggest and most prestigious floral design competition, which brings a £1.2m investment for the region.

Launched in 1972, the Interflora World Cup has previously been staged in cities around the globe, including Melbourne, Shanghai, Berlin, and Philadelphia.

Now, it is coming to the UK for the first time in 2023, when Manchester Central will host the event on September 7-9.

The competition is a chance for elite florists from across the world to showcase their talent.

Taking over a 13,000 sq m space, including the venue’s Central Hall, not only will the competition itself be a display of skill and artistic design, but for the first time in Manchester Interflora has chosen to expand the event to create a show stopping experience for visitors, who can expect artisan stalls with food, drink and shopping, as well as workshops and entertainment.

Interflora operates a network of more than 900 local florists across the UK and in around 130 countries, and said it will be bringing this collaborative ethos to the event.

World class florists from 25 countries around the globe will compete in six heats over three days, with a grand final on Saturday evening. As host nation, Interflora UK has chosen the theme of ‘Our Natural World’ and competitors will be required to demonstrate their interpretation and respect for the planet, focusing on a sustainable ethos and utilising natural elements.

Interflora’s director of florist services, Nick Priest, said: “Manchester is a vibrant, multicultural city with the most brilliant energy, which reflects the creativity and diversity of our competitors.

“With world class hotels, entertainment, museums and galleries all to explore, the Interflora World Cup will bring visitors from all over the globe to discover what Manchester has to offer.

“The event will be a real spectacle and a chance to see floral designers at the top of their game at work. They will be creating complete works of art on an impressive scale and our tasks will provide the ultimate test of nerve and skill. We’re excited to have some great partnership opportunities for the event and welcome conversations with local businesses who might want to get involved.”

Next year also marks Interflora’s 100th birthday and the event will form part of the brand’s centenary celebrations. Tickets go on sale next month, with visitors expected from across the globe.