September 2006, the Labour Party moved from traditional seaside venues to hold its annual party conference at the complex. It has also hosted conferences for the Confederation of British Industry, ECOFIN, the Liberal Democrats and the Conservative Party. The venue was also the filming location of Ninja Warrior UK between 2015 and 2019. The venue was selected to host the final of the 2021 Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup, which saw England beat France 28–24 to lift their second world cup title equalling the record set by the runners-up. Transport Located in the heart of the city, Manchester Central is served by two Metrolink tram stops - Deansgate-Castlefield tram stop and St Peter's Square tram stop both of which are under a five-minute walk from the venue. National Rail local train services serve Deansgate railway station whilst Manchester Piccadilly is a twenty-minute walk away. Emergency hospital On 27 March 2020, the UK government announced that the building would be converted into an emergency hospital, part of a network of NHS Nightingale Hospitals similar to the NHS Nightingale Hospital London already under construction, intended to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic and with 1,000 beds. It opened on 17 April 2020. See also Grade II* listed buildings in Greater Manchester Listed buildings in Manchester-M2 References Citations Bibliography External links Manchester Central GMEX Manchester Archives+ Infrastructure completed in 1880 Music venues in Manchester 2002 Commonwealth Games venues Exhibition and conference centres in England Grade II* listed buildings in Manchester Tourist attractions in Manchester Darts venues Former Midland Railway stations Commonwealth Games wrestling venues