Manchester Storm is a professional ice hockey team based in Altrincham, They are members of the Elite Ice Hockey League and are based at Planet Ice in Altrincham.
They have developed a strong fan base in the North West of England. The Storm continues to compete for playoff spots in the EIHL and has gained a reputation for being a tough team to beat, especially at home.
What an incredible night of high-speed, top-level ice hockey! The game was packed with excitement, a lively atmosphere, food and drinks, and fun for all ages. A perfect mix of action and entertainment!
Dads Birthday Night Out! We went for a completely different type of evening out and went to see Manchester Storm in The Storm Shelter.
Top Info
⛸ Season is Sept - April
🏒 Play 35 home games a season
⏰ 20-minute periods, with a 15-minute break between
⏰ Games last roughly 2.5 hours
🍔 Food & Drink available
🍺 Grab a beer, pizza or nachos
🧊 It's a bit cold so dress warm
👨👩👧👦 Great family atmosphere.
⚡ Mascot: Lightning Jack
🚗 Car park gets full so arrive early for spot
🚗 Parking is free after 6pm
🌎 Home Games at Planet Ice, Oakfield Rd, Altrincham WA15 8EW
What we Saw
• Hockey sticks breaking in two!
• Bashing, tripping and pushing!
• The team swapping their goalie for an attacker to hit the other team hard in the last minutes!
• The crowd supporting the team 100%
• Pucks flying through the air
• A million substitutions, players were flying off and on the pitch all the time
• Seriously fast and skilled ice skating
• Little kids wearing jerseys and shouting for their team
Watching sport as a family isn't something we normally do but my husband had always wanted to watch a game of ice hockey so for his birthday treat i got us all tickets to watch Manchester Storm at Altrincham.
We had an incredible time watching the ice hockey game—it was an experience that completely gripped us from start to finish. Even though we didn’t fully know all the rules, the fast-paced action, the intensity, and the sheer skill on display kept us on the edge of our seats. There was never a dull moment, with the constant movement, rapid passes, and thrilling near-misses keeping our excitement levels high.
Our two daughters were just as captivated as we were, they were asking us questions about the game and players which meant they really had an interest in what was happening. The energy in the arena was electric, and it was impossible not to get swept up in the atmosphere.
It was disappointing that Manchester Storm lost the game, but it was clear they gave it their all.
The entire Storm Shelter erupted when Manchester Storm scored their one goal—I can only imagine the scenes if they had won the game. The fans were just as much a part of the night as the team itself.
The season runs from September through to April and they play up to 35 home games per season, giving you lots of opportunity to come along and enjoy.
Best Seating Options
We sat in Section 106, near the end of the ice, in the second-to-last row. This gave us a great view of most of the rink, though the area directly below us was slightly obstructed by other spectators.
If you sit closer to the ice, you'll get a better view of the game’s finer details, but you may have a harder time seeing the action at the opposite end of the rink.
The majority of season ticket holders reside in Blocks 104 or 114, which are the two most central blocks in the arena – should you choose to sit in Blocks 104 or 114, the season ticket holders will make you feel more than at home. If singing and chanting is your thing, you’ll be best suited to Blocks 109 or 113 – help bring the noise inside the ‘Storm Shelter’ on game nights!
There is loads of handy tips here https://www.manchesterstorm.com/a-beginners-guide-to-manchester-storm/
🏒 About the Game
Each match is played in three 20-minute periods, with a 15-minute break between periods to allow the Zamboni, called so because it was first developed by Frank Zamboni in 1949, to resurface the ice. Importantly, when play stops, the clock is also stopped – every second counts! This also means that 20min periods can turn into 30mins quite easily.
The Team
Each team can have a maximum squad of 20, including two goalkeepers. Although only six players from each team can be on the ice at any one time, substitutions can be made at any point (even during active play and this happened a lot which was really entertaining to watch)
Fascinating Fact
The puck, made of vulcanized rubber is frozen before the game to reduce its bounce and allow it to slide across the ice easier and faster. Some of the game's hardest shooters send the puck towards the net at over 90 mph, with elite shooters topping over 100 mph. So keep your eye on the puck as much as you can!
👕Manchester Storm Merchandise
If you want to support your new found team you can buy 24-25 season jerseys alongside a full range of merch online at the Official Storm Store HERE – There is also a merch store located inside the arena on the ground level under Blocks 110/111. The Storm Store is open on all Manchester Storm match nights
🍺Jacks Bar
You can find ‘Jacks Bar’ located on ground level under Block 114/115 – this serves hot drinks, cold beverages and alcoholic drinks. With fans meeting up with friends ahead of the game, music being played and the build up to the fixture on the screens inside the bar, this is a great place to spend your pre-game before the build up to the show starts.
Press visit Feb 2025
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