Manchester Storm announce Altrincham departure days after Planet Ice withdraws licence
They had been in the town since 2015.
altrincham.todaynews.co.ukHere’s the latest available on Manchester Storm:
- Manchester Storm have announced they will depart Altrincham and return to the AO Arena in Manchester for the 2026/27 season, after Planet Ice confirmed it would not renew the Altrincham licence. This move marks a return to their original city-centre venue and signals a new era for the club [source: Altrincham Today / Planet Ice statements, 2026].[1][3]
- Planet Ice in Altrincham stated the decision came amid ongoing communication issues and a lack of clarity about the club’s plans for 2026/27, including season-ticket timing, prompting them to pursue other opportunities for the venue.[3][1]
- The issue has drawn broader regional coverage and commentary on the implications for Manchester’s sports scene and local economies, with officials welcoming a move back to a flagship arena in the city centre.[1]
What this means
- Operationally, Storm will shift from the Altrincham rink to the AO Arena, centralizing their home games and aligning with a premier Manchester venue. This could influence attendance patterns, ticketing timelines, and associated commercial activity in the city center.[1]
- The transition comes after a period of uncertainty and delayed responses from the club to venue operators, highlighting broader tensions between teams and facilities in the Elite Ice Hockey League ecosystem.[3]
If you’d like, I can pull more detailed timelines, quotes from the club and venue operators, or map out potential 2026/27 schedule implications. I can also monitor for any official confirmation of dates and ticketing arrangements.