The ice rink in Altrincham have confirmed they won’t situation a licence for Manchester Storm for the 2026/2027 season
Planet Ice, Altrincham (Image: Copyright Unknown)
A Greater Manchester ice rink has mentioned it won’t permit native ice hockey team Manchester Storm to proceed to make use of it as its house venue, amid rising hypothesis the membership may relocate to the AO Arena.
Planet Ice, in Altrincham, issued a statement on Friday. In the submit launched on social media, the venue mentioned its determination follows months of uncertainty and following an alleged “continued lack of communication and clarity” from the Elite Ice Hockey League aspect relating to their intentions for the 2026/2027 season.
Rumours have circulated for a number of months that Manchester Storm may relocate, initially with the understanding they might stay at Altrincham Ice Rink till a deliberate new venue at TraffordCity is accomplished.
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However, the rink mentioned the “frequency and credibility” of stories linking the membership with a transfer to the AO Arena had elevated. They mentioned info from venue operators, gamers and employees urged discussions had taken place and plans have been being agreed.
The ice rink mentioned its Chief Operations Officer, Heath Rhodes, contacted the membership on April 21 asking for a “clear confirmation” of its plans for the subsequent season. The rink mentioned no response was acquired till 4.47pm on Friday and the reply didn’t make clear whether or not the membership intends to stay in Altrincham or relocate.
The statement added that Manchester Storm haven’t launched season tickets for the upcoming marketing campaign, leaving rink employees unable to reply questions from supporters.
It added: “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.” It added that, within the absence of readability, the venue will now “pursue different alternatives” to safeguard its future.
Manchester Storm declined to remark.
Planet Ice statement in full
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 results of the continued lack of communication and readability, the rink has been positioned able the place we should decide our subsequent steps to safeguard the longer term and can now pursue different alternatives.
