Statement - Manchester Storm

Following careful consideration, Altrincham Ice Rink will not be issuing a licence for Manchester Storm to continue their operation at the venue for the 2026/27 season.

For several months, there have been persistent rumours regarding a potential move by Manchester Storm to the AO Arena Manchester. The club’s initial communication to us confirmed that they intended to remain in Altrincham until the new arena is ready at TraffordCity which would become their new home. However, the frequency and credibility of these rumours have since increased, with venue operators, players, and staff informing us that discussions between Manchester Storm and the AO Arena have taken place and that plans for a move were being agreed.

In response to this, Heath Rhodes, the rinks Chief Operations Officer, issued a further email on Tuesday April 21st requesting clear confirmation of the club’s intentions for the 2026/27 season. This request sought a simple and direct answer. No reply was received until today at 16:47, and even then, the club did not indicate what their intentions are regarding a potential relocation from the Altrincham rink.

Throughout our correspondence, the rink has been clear that we fully support Manchester Storm in pursuing opportunities that allow them to build on their success. Should they wish to relocate, we would do what we can to support a smooth and professional transition. However, it is both reasonable and necessary that we receive sufficient notice of any such decision.

Unlike other teams in the league, Manchester Storm have not released season tickets for the upcoming season. This has placed rink staff in a difficult position, facing questions from supporters that they are unable to answer. We do not believe this is fair to either supporters or staff.

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.