Manchester City celebrated their Premier League victory with an open-top bus tour through the city. Despite the rainy weather, the team, led by manager Pep Guardiola, didn’t let it dampen their spirits. The celebration marked their fourth consecutive title win, secured with a 3-1 victory over West Ham earlier in the month.
The festivities took place shortly after Manchester City’s defeat to arch-rivals Manchester United in the FA Cup Final. While the loss may have been disappointing, it didn’t diminish the players’ enthusiasm. Striker Erling Haaland, in particular, joined in the celebrations by spraying champagne over the adoring fans.
Although the rain made many people in the city soggy, it was relatively mild compared to other areas where more than an inch of rain fell. The Met Office issued a yellow weather warning for flooding, power cuts, and travel delays in the North and South West regions.
The rainy weather also caused travel disruptions throughout the country. The A38 in Devon was closed in both directions due to a fatal accident, leading to long hold-ups for holidaymakers hoping for a coastal getaway. The M6 southbound was reduced to one lane following an accident, while heavy traffic on the M23 delayed travelers heading to Gatwick Airport. Additionally, those taking ferries from the Port of Dover to France faced two-hour queues due to the weight of traffic.
Despite these challenges, football fans were able to enjoy the Championship play-off at Wembley Stadium, where Southampton emerged victorious. Among the spectators was Oscar-winner Dustin Hoffman.
The weekend also saw a significant increase in leisure journeys by car, with over 20 million trips made – the highest number since pre-pandemic levels in 2019. As a result, travel chaos is expected to continue as 3.4 million people hit the roads once again. Although scattered showers are predicted for most areas, sunny spells and temperatures reaching 18C are expected to return from Wednesday.
Overall, Manchester City’s open-top bus tour was a testament to their success and the unwavering support of their fans. Despite the rain and other travel disruptions, the celebration brought joy to the city and showcased the team’s resilience and determination.