Manchester Storm have confirmed they are leaving Altrincham to return to the AO Arena for the 2026/27 season, days after Planet Ice announced it would not be renewing the club's licence amid a breakdown in communication between the two parties.
The ice hockey club released a statement this morning confirming what had been the subject of months of rumour: that they will quit the Oakfield Road rink and head back to the city centre venue where the club was born more than 30 years ago.
Storm were originally tenants of the then newly-opened Manchester Arena when they were founded in 1995, going on to win the First Division championship in their debut season and the league title in 1998/99.
The club's early years at the venue were defined by record-breaking crowds, most notably in the 1996/97 season when 17,245 fans packed in for a clash against Sheffield Steelers, a British ice hockey attendance record that still stands today.
The club was disbanded in 2002, before being reformed a decade later and returning to the Elite Ice Hockey League for the 2015/16 season, this time based at the then Silverblades ice dome in Altrincham, which had been vacated by Manchester Phoenix following a dispute with the rink's owners.
Now, after reaching the play-off finals in April for the first time in 24 years, the club is leaving Altrincham.
The return is being described as a full-circle moment, with owners Emma and Ryan Finnerty saying: "Returning Manchester Storm to the AO Arena is a proud moment for everyone involved. It's about giving our fans a premier stage in the heart of the city and delivering an outstanding live experience."
The Finnertys added that the club's ambitions stretched beyond simply returning to familiar surroundings: "Together with our leadership team and Canadian partners, our ambition is clear - not just to compete, but to lead in the Elite Ice Hockey League and beyond. This marks the start of an exciting new era for the club. Manchester Storm is coming home."
Late on Friday, Planet Ice - operators of the Altrincham rink - issued a statement saying they had been forced to withdraw Storm's licence after weeks of unanswered questions about the club's plans for next season.
The rink's Chief Operations Officer Heath Rhodes had emailed the club on 21st April seeking a clear answer on its intentions.
Planet Ice said staff had been left fielding questions from supporters they were unable to answer, and pointed out that Storm were the only Elite Ice Hockey League club yet to put season tickets on sale for 2026/27.
A Planet Ice statement on Friday said: "As a result of the continued lack of communication and clarity, the rink has been placed in a position where we must determine our next steps to safeguard the future and will now pursue other opportunities."
Storm's statement makes no reference to the dispute. AO Arena General Manager Gemma Vaughan said the move would "bring new energy to the city centre, driving footfall for local bars, restaurants, and hotels," adding that it was "a brilliant moment for Manchester's already thriving sporting community."
Mark Brooks, Head of Commercial Operations at the Elite Ice Hockey League, also welcomed the news, saying: "Manchester is one of the country's most vibrant sporting cities, and we're proud to support the Storm as they take this next step and showcase Elite League ice hockey on one of the UK's most iconic stages."
Further details on fixtures, ticketing and fan experiences for the 2026/27 season are expected to be announced in due course.
