Nigerian pastor Jerry Eze led thousands of worshippers in prayer at Manchester United’s Old Trafford stadium on Saturday, 26 September, during the 2026 NSPPD United Kingdom Prayer Conference.
Large crowds filled sections of the stadium as believers gathered for several hours of worship, prayer and religious declarations led by Eze and other ministers.
The conference was organised by Streams of Joy International and brought together worshippers from different parts of the United Kingdom and other countries.
Thousands gather at Old Trafford
The event was held at Old Trafford on Sir Matt Busby Way in Greater Manchester. Entry was free, but attendees were required to register in advance.
The official registration page on Eventbrite showed that tickets had sold out before the conference.
Transport for Greater Manchester said about 50,000 visitors were expected to attend and issued special travel guidance because of the anticipated pressure on buses and tram services around the stadium.
Turnstiles opened at 10am, with the programme beginning at about 1pm and expected to end between 6pm and 7pm.
Photographs and videos from the venue showed worshippers occupying large areas of the stands and pitch as the prayer sessions continued.
However, organisers had not released a final attendance figure at the time of publication. Trivane News is therefore describing the gathering as involving thousands rather than claiming that Old Trafford reached its full capacity.
Prayer movement expands beyond Nigeria
NSPPD stands for New Season Prophetic Prayers and Declarations. The online prayer platform is convened by Eze, who also leads Streams of Joy International.
Its weekday prayer broadcasts have attracted followers in Nigeria and among Christian communities in the diaspora. Physical conferences linked to the platform have also been held in several cities outside Nigeria.
According to the official NSPPD conference page, the gatherings combine worship, prayer, testimonies and prophetic declarations.
The Old Trafford conference followed previous NSPPD gatherings in Britain, including events held in London. The move to one of the United Kingdom’s largest football stadiums reflects the scale of the audience the ministry now attracts.
Organisers promoted Saturday’s conference as an opportunity for participants to pray for healing, restoration, families and personal challenges. Such statements represent the ministry’s religious beliefs and should not be treated as independently verified medical or factual claims.
Transport arrangements introduced
Transport for Greater Manchester advised participants to use public transport and warned that tram and bus services around Old Trafford would be particularly busy.
Old Trafford, Wharfside, Trafford Bar and Exchange Quay tram stops were listed among the main routes serving the stadium.
Fifteen shuttle buses were also scheduled to carry passengers from the area back to Manchester city centre after the conference.
The transport authority’s preparations provided independent confirmation of both the scale of the planned gathering and its potential effect on movement around the city.
A visible Nigerian diaspora presence
The event highlights the growing visibility of Nigerian-led Christian organisations in Britain.
Nigerian churches and prayer movements have established congregations across major UK cities, serving communities that include Nigerians, other Africans and worshippers from wider backgrounds.
For members of the diaspora, such gatherings can provide religious support alongside social and cultural connections away from their countries of origin.
Saturday’s conference also demonstrated how an online prayer platform founded in Nigeria has developed an international following capable of attracting thousands to a major British venue.
