TEDxManchester 2026

TEDxManchester 2026 will feature 10 handpicked speakers & performers who will fill our day with fascinating insights and inspirational stories across a wide range of areas. You'll leave the day stimulated by new learning, inspired to look at your world in creative new ways and feeling even more energised than when you arrived. For the right person, it's a truly amazing experience.

For more information please check out the TEDxManchester website, and be sure to check the Speakers Page first for full information about our amazing speakers.

This year's speakers include:

- Jill Scott MBE, former England Lioness and Euro 2022 champion, sharing lessons from her journey to the top of international football.

- Julian Treasure, famous for creating one of the Top 10 TED Talks of all time. He joins us in Manchester with a powerful new message about conscious listening in an increasingly noisy world

- Joanna Jensen, the inspirational founder of the leading Childs Farm brand, who built a purpose-driven company from scratch and grew into a market leader.

- Chris Bailey, author & creator of the most viewed TEDxManchester talk of all time is returning with his latest research on the concept of ‘intentionality’ and how to finish what you start.

- Professor Katriona O'Sullivan, author of Poor, the hugely successful personal memoir.

- Professor Michael Wooldridge, the Oxford authority will attempt to dehype AI by discussing what AI can genuinely do today and where its limits lie.

- Dr. Jess Venner, who will explore the timeless lessons we can learn from the lost city of Pompeii.

- TJ Power, neuroscientist and bestselling author, will translate brain science into simple ways to improve mental health.

ABOUT TEDxMANCHESTER: The event was founded in 2009 and has grown to be one of the longest-running, largest and most prestigious TEDx events worldwide. In addition to being recognised as a Top 20 TEDx event in the world, in 2025 TEDxManchester produced the Number One most essential TED Talk of the year as chosen by the TED editorial team based in New York.

NOTE ON GALLERY SEATS: Regarding seat choice if you suffer from vertigo or any other related illnesses the Bridgewater Hall recommend you book in to the Stalls, Choir Circle or Circle sections.

CONCESSION TICKETS: A limited number of concession tickets are available for full-time students and 60+ seniors at £34.95 for Stalls, £29.95 for Circle & £24.95 for Gallery; to request a concession ticket, please email us at aW5mbyB8IHRlZHhtYW5jaGVzdGVyICEgY29t with a picture of a relevant identification.

FULL EXPERIENCE TICKETS: include a place at the TEDxManchester VIP Speakers Dinner taking place on Friday 6th of March at the Hyatt Regency.

For all queries please email us on aW5mbyB8IHRlZHhtYW5jaGVzdGVyICEgY29t.

Refunds

• Refunds available until 5pm, Monday, 19 January 2026.
• Name Changes available 5pm, Friday, 20 February 2026.

TEDxManchester is an independently organised TED event that is licensed by the TED organisation who run the prestigious TED Conference annually in Vancouver, Canada as well as the TED.com website featuring the TEDTalks series of short lectures.

Also check out other Arts events in Manchester, Literary Art events in Manchester, Entertainment events in Manchester.