THERE'S something for all the family in the single biggest year of world sport in Manchester since the XVII Commonwealth Games in 2002 – including track cycling, swimming, paralympic events, football, running and squash.

UCI Track Cycling World Championships

26–30 March

National Cycling Centre, Sportcity

The Great Britain team will be on home soil defending seven world crowns won at the Palma championships in 2007. Manchester will witness the thrills and spills of five exciting days of track racing as the world’s fastest athletes make history.

Ninth FINA World Swimming Championships 2008 (25m)

13 April

MEN Arena

All eyes will be on Manchester as 650 of the world’s greatest swimmers from 120 different countries will compete in what will be the first world swimming championship of its kind ever to be staged in the UK.

The championships promise to be like no other, with two huge temporary pools being built in the world’s most popular concert venue – The M.E.N Arena. With spectacular lighting and sound displays and 7,500 fans at each session, it will be an unforgettable experience.

Paralympic World Cup

7–11 May

National Cycling Centre, Sportcity Manchester Regional Arena, Sportcity and Manchester Aquatics Centre

The Paralympic World Cup is the only major international competition before the Beijing Paralympics and will be a major boost for British competitors aiming for medals in China. It will see an extended programme of events in athletics, swimming and track cycling, with the wheelchair basketball competition following the same thrilling format as in previous years. The new schedule is specifically designed to closely replicate conditions expected in Beijing in September.

UEFA Cup Final

14 May

City of Manchester Stadium

The final of the world’s largest club football competition is the conclusion to a historical and thrilling tournament, which involves 80 football clubs across Europe. Previous winners have included Real Madrid, Porto, Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool who have won it a joint record breaking 3 times along with Internazionale Milano and Juventus. The climax to the tournament in Manchester will be televised live in over 200 countries worldwide.

BUPA Great Manchester Run

18 May

Manchester City Centre

Britain’s biggest and most prestigious 10km race is recognised as one of the world’s greatest road running competitions, with elite race performances and an all-star cast of celebrities and thousands of charity and fun runners taking part to raise money for charity. The run is launched 10 January, so sign up quickly to avoid missing out.

Hi-Tec World Squash Championships Manchester 2008

11-19 October

National Squash Centre, Sportcity

Staged on the spectacular all-glass show court at Manchester’s National Squash Centre, this will be the first time that a combined men's and women's World Squash Championships has been held in the UK and recognised as the most important event in the World Squash calendar.

One year, one city, a whole world of sport – Manchester 2008

Click here to find out more and view athlete vodcasts.

Go on, get your tickets now – see individual event websites for ticket information or click here to book for more than one event at http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk or call 0844 847 1629.