Sport

The Super League Basketball cup finals are coming to Manchester

British basketball is back on its feet.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 18th August 2025

Manchester is set for more exclusive sporting action as the Super League Basketball (SLB) cup finals are coming to the AO Arena.

Britain’s official basketball league has been through a prolonged period of uncertainty over the last couple of years, but the SLB now looks to be back on track.

With that in mind, Manchester has been chosen to host the next edition of the division’s cup finals, which take place early next year.

This is going to be good.

Ahead of the 2025/26 Super League Basketball campaign kicking off this September, and Manchester set to host an NBA fixture – just the second time it’s been in our city and the first time in history a regular season game has been played here in the UK – it’s another sporting milestone for 0161.

Combine that with the football now back underway, and it’s fair to say it’s going to be a busy few months for us Mancs.

Announcing the event this month, the confirmation of the host venue comes some 30 years after our very own Manchester Giants (now simply known as Manchester Basketball) first said hello to their old home ground, the AO Arena.

The storied sports and entertainment stadium is still the site which attracted the biggest British basketball crowd ever when our local side took on the London Leopards.

It feels only fitting, therefore, that the legendary arena should host the Men’s and Women’s SLB Cup Finals in a blockbuster double-header on Sunday, 22 March 2026.

With the future of basketball in the UK now looking much more secure after a deal to allow overseas players to register for work visas was agreed, the climate surrounding the British circuit looks a lot healthier than it did at the start of the year.

Speaking on the important breakthrough, Interim Independent Chair, Sanjay Bhandari MBE, said: “We’re grateful to the Home Office and BE for their clarification in resolving this key issue.

“Clubs have shown real ambition and determination throughout the summer, pushing ahead with roster plans in the face of uncertainty. Now that this issue has been resolved, we can all look ahead to what promises to be a thrilling season of SLB with a full fixture list to be announced in the coming weeks.”

The new official Super League Basketball season will commence now commence on 19 September. As for the finals, both the AO Arena and Manchester City Council (MCC) know how big a deal it is to have booked the games.

John Hacking, the MCC’s Executive Member for Skills, Employment and Leisure, went on to add his own excited statement following the news, too.

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“Manchester stands proudly at the forefront of British basketball, and we’re thrilled to welcome Super League Basketball to the AO Arena next year — a world-class venue in a city where elite competition, grassroots development, and community passion come together. 

“From vibrant outdoor courts in Hulme to elite fixtures at the National Basketball Performance Centre, Manchester is a city that understands and supports the game at every level. 

“Hosting the SLB Cup Final, the showpiece of the premier professional league in the UK, is a powerful endorsement of our growing reputation, proving that we not only understand basketball – but champion it at every level.”

Tickets will be available pre-sale from Wednesday, 20 August, or you can wait to grab general admission next week (Wed, 27 Aug) right HERE.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Super League Basketball/AO Arena/The Manc Group

Sport

Manchester chosen for first-ever Pro:Direct Soccer ‘FC’ concept store

Danny Jones Danny Jones Pro:Direct Sport opening FC soccer store in Manchester Arndale

Manchester city centre has been chosen for the first-ever Pro:Direct Soccer concept store, which is set to be unveiled very soon.

While a specific opening date is yet to be announced, we now have a confirmed venue, which will be none other than the Arndale.

The world-famous online retailer first began experimenting with brick-and-mortar stores over a decade ago, with their LDN19 shop in the capital opening back in 2014, but now they’ve signed a new 10-year lease in the busy Manc shopping centre.

Set to open early in 2026, the flagship ‘PD:FC’ site promises to be “more than a store” and is purpose-built to celebrate all things football culture.

The hoardings are already up. (Credit: Supplied)

Due to take over a 9,180 sq ft unit spanning two floors, the new ‘Football Performance and Culture store’ is tipped as the first of its kind anywhere in the world. 

Choosing Manchester due to its rich music, fashion, sporting and football heritage, most specifically, our home was seen as a natural destination for the new concept.

The debut PD:FC store is not only looking to offer a unique retail experience to our footy-obsessed city, but also deliver a site for innovation and cultural crossover.

As per an official press release, the brand says PD:FC “ensures every player finds the right fit, feel, and edge to allow them to ‘Play Better’”, adding that it will “curates the evolving world of football culture, harnessing the energy of the streets, the glory of stadiums, and the influences within game and beyond.”

‘PRO:DIRECT Sport PD:FC’ will be come just the latest in a recent trend of high-profile openings in the Arndale and neighbouring New Cathedral Street, with the likes of Sephora and Represent attracting huge opening day queues, not to mention fellow sport and activity brands, Arc’teryx, Alo Yoga and Trailberg.

Outdoor clothing brand Arc’teryx opens first northern brand store in Manchester

Speaking on the announcement, PRO:DIRECT Sport‘s Chief of Brand, Sam Baldock, said: “Manchester is the beating heart of football culture – a city where the game’s history, passion, and future collide.

“Launching our new PD:FC concept here is about more than opening a store; it’s about creating a space that lives and breathes football and its culture.

“A place where players and fans can connect with the very best the sport has to offer. This is our home for the football-inspired community in the Manchester area – from the streets to the stadiums – and we can’t wait to welcome everyone through the doors.”

Let’s just say we can’t wait for kick-off.

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Featured Images — Pro:Direct (supplied)/The Manc Group

Sport

Brighton’s Carlos Baleba is now said to be ‘keen’ on a move to Manchester United

Danny Jones Danny Jones Carlos Baleba keen on move to Man United

Manchester United may not yet be done with their transfer business, as another potential summer target, Carlos Baleba, is now reportedly “keen” on a move to the Theatre of Dreams.

The Brighton midfielder popped up on the radar of numerous clubs around Europe following a breakout season in 2024/25.

At just 21 years old, the promising young player has recently emerged as one of the most exciting prospects in the Premier League over the past 12 months or so, and it appears Man United are leading the race to sign him.

Many around the club think the Cameroonian CDM could be the perfect fit for Ruben Amorim’s somewhat makeshift midfield at the moment; perfectly positioned to take the starting spot from an ageing Casemiro or an as-yet unproven Manuel Ugarte. Moreover, it’s now said United appeals to him.

Speaking on the most recent episode of The Athletic‘s ‘Talk of the Devils’ podcast, journalist Laurie Whitwell told his fellow co-hosts and listeners that, in addition to Brighton having already been contacted over a potential purchase earlier this month, attracting the youngster’s interest isn’t the issue.

Whitwell had already explained that the Seagulls would be setting a hefty and perhaps intentionally excessive asking price in a previous episode, as it is understood they would prefer not to sell him at all, with a figure of at least £100 million being floated around as the current rough estimate.

Given that Man United have already forked out over £200m on a selection of new signings – the most recent being striker Benjamin Šeško – the chances of him making the jump in this current window look slim, though it is thought there is still an eventual switch that could be done.

“Talks are continuing”, according to Whitwell. “There are obviously intermediaries working on behalf of United and the player [Baleba] as well, to see if Brighton would be open to this [a deal].

“Brighton are saying he’s not for sale, and there is quite a bit of scepticism at Manchester United as to whether this can be achieved, but still, it’s been totally shut down.

“That is leading me to believe that you never know, but I’m probably in the camp of it being unlikely. There are ways this can be sorted; a crucial point is the player – he’s keen on the move to Old Trafford.”

Whitwell goes on to detail that current players have been in touch to explain the “landscape” around the club amid this rebuild, reiterating that the environment is positive. However, Brighton boss Fabian Hürzeler seems pretty confident that the south coast club will hang on to him, at least for now.

Addressing the rumours with reporters, the German manager insisted, “I didn’t see any change. He seems to be in a very good place, enjoying it [the pre-season and training] with his team-mates.”

With that in mind, it’s more probable that Baleba could join the Red Devils next year, when he’s had yet another season to develop and prove himself in the English top flight, though his value will probably increase even further.

On the other hand, if Baleba does indeed want to swap his white and blue striped shirt for a red one, he could push for the negotiations progress, like new arrival and fellow compatriot Bryan Mbuemo did.

This is an outcome that could, in theory, benefit both teams, as not only are Brighton still considered a selling club, but with another EPL campaign under his belt, they could demand and even larger fee come summer 2026/January if Amorim is still desperately in need of a central solution.

Moreover, if Fabrizio Romano’s claims that personal terms “wouldn’t be a problem” and the rumblings of an imminent ‘£112m offer’ are true, he’d become the most expensive African player in history and possibly one of the best paid in the division.

You can watch the episode – one that also touches on the new so-called ‘Man United mantra’, which has even been printed on water bottles around Carrington – in full down below.

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Featured Images — MyAlbionTV (screenshot via YouTube)

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