Metrolink tram drivers in Greater Manchester have voted "overwhelmingly" to strike next month in a dispute over pay.
Unite said more than 300 drivers and supervisors recorded a 97% yes vote in favour of industrial action after being told of a "pitiful" 1% pay award.
The first strike days will be Saturday, September 25, and Sunday, September 26.
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These coincide with the match between Manchester United and Aston Villa at Old Trafford on the Saturday, and the Great Manchester Run the following day.
The tram drivers will also take strike action on Sunday, October 10, the day of the Manchester marathon.
A further strikes have been called for Sunday, October 24, when Manchester United and Liverpool are due to play.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "One minute tram drivers are being hailed as heroes and the next they are facing a real terms pay cut.
"Unite will not allow our members to have their pay and living standards eroded by private companies who are seeking to profit by operating a public service."
Unite added that it could announce further strike action on weekdays before, between and after the dates already announced depending on the response of management.
Metrolink is operated and maintained by a joint venture company Keolis/Amey which holds the contract to run the Transport for Greater Manchester-owned service.
Unite regional officer Dave Roberts added: "Metrolink tram workers, who continued to work throughout the pandemic, are simply not going to accept a frankly pitiful one per cent pay deal.
"Unite has been seeking to resolve this matter for six months without success and our members now believe that as a last resort they have no other option but to take strike action.
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"Strike action and the inevitable disruption that will bring can still be averted if management returns to the negotiating table with a realistic pay offer.
"Unite is dedicated to advancing the jobs, pay and conditions of its members and will fight back against any efforts to diminish workers' living standards."
A KAM statement read: "Clearly, we are disappointed with the ballot result, but we will continue to engage with Unite to work towards an agreement that prevents any strike action, and the subsequent impact on services to our passengers."
TfGM’s head of Metrolink, Danny Vaughan, added: "It’s disappointing that members have voted in favour of industrial action, and I would appeal to both sides to work together to find a resolution, while there is still time.
"There is no good time for strike action, but the days picked will impact on participants and spectators of two very significant and much-welcome events, which have returned to Manchester post-covid.
"Our priority will be to limit disruption as much as possible and we will work with KAM and other transport operators to make sure people can still enjoy these events, even if Metrolink services are not running on those days.
"Plans are still being developed, but we are committed to letting people know what services will be running, if any, and what alternative transport options will be available in the event of any strike as soon as possible."
