Sport

Manchester Storm’s record-breaking return to AO Arena goes down a storm with fans

And not just because of the fights

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 9th September 2026

Manchester Storm have made their grand return to the AO Arena, after more than two decades away from their former home.

And it appears the ice hockey craze (which may have been spurred on by a certain Heated Rivalry) is here to stay, with record-breaking numbers piling into the venue for Sunday’s match against Sheffield Steelers.

The AO Arena has now shared that a record crowd of 11,000 fans attended the long-awaited Manchester Storm homecoming last week.

The action has gone down a storm with fans, with plenty of chatter on social media (and videos of a certain fight) doing the rounds.

Manchester Storm’s homecoming has now smashed the record for an Elite Hockey pre-season fixture, with fans travelling from across Manchester and beyond.

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As the team enters this new era, bidding farewell to the ‘Storm Shelter’ in Altrincham that’s been their home for a decade, demand for tickets is continuing to grow.

@elizabeth_ivy

First game at the AO Arena and Jeni BRINGS IT 💪💜⛈️🏒 #manchesterstorm @Manchester Storm #eihl #icehockeyedit

♬ Can’t Stop – Bare Up

This is the first time fans have been able to see the club on the ice at the AO Arena since 2004, and last weekend they thrilled supporters with a 5-5 draw agains the Steelers.

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Manchester Storm is now set to bring approximately 35 games to the city centre each year, providing a
regular programme of major sporting events for Manchester and its visitors.

It also brings elite-level hockey back to one of Europe’s largest indoor sporting arenas.

Manchester Storm's return to the AO Arena. Credit: Supplied
Manchester Storm's return to the AO Arena. Credit: Supplied
Manchester Storm's return to the AO Arena. Credit: Supplied

Gemma Vaughan, General Manager at the AO Arena says, “Tonight is a hugely significant moment for Manchester.

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“To welcome Manchester Storm back to their former home after more than 20 years, and to do so in front of a record Elite Hockey League crowd, is incredibly special.

“The response from supporters has demonstrated the strength of Manchester’s passion for ice hockey and the demand for world-class sport in the city. We’re proud to be able to provide a home for the Storm as they begin this exciting new chapter.”

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Featured image: Supplied

Sport

Erling Haaland has named his four favourite films… and fans have a lot to say on it

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Erling Haaland has answered the all-important question.

The question heard around the world, the question on everyone’s lips, a question that has absolutely nothing to do with football whatsoever… that’s right, he’s answered Letterboxd’s famous question of ‘what are your four favourite films?’.

If you’re unaware of what Letterboxd is, it describes itself as being an ‘online diary platform and app for film lovers’ and it gives users the chance to display their four favourite films at the top of their profile for all to see (and judge).

An extension of this has then been Letterboxd asking celebrities in press junket interviews and on red carpets what their ‘four faves’ are – and it’s gone on to become something of a phenomenon in the film world.

Everyone from massive A-list movie stars, to indie darlings and up-and-coming names have answered this question before, and now (it appears) to be Erling Haaland’s turn.

He’s not the first footballer to be tasked with question though, as the entire Spurs team was ambushed with it by former player – and famously massive cinephile – Alfie Whiteman last year, but it’s fair to say that after the summer he’s had with Norway at the World Cup, achieving international fame in the process, that Haaland is one of the most high-profile to answer it in a long while.

So, what’s on Erling’s list then?

Well, to self-confessed ‘film bros’ out there, you’re not going to find any deep cuts in this selection unfortunately, and you’re probably not going to get any recommendations for movies you haven’t seen before either, but come on, he is only a footballer after all.

Erling Haaland has named his four favourite films… and fans have a lot to say on it / Credit: Letterboxd

First up for the Manchester City striker is a pretty common pick by straight white men, it’s The Wolf of Wall Street, and he doesn’t give much of a reason for it, other than just suggesting: “I think you understand why”.

He then follows that up with Ridley Scott’s classic Gladiator, calling it ‘amazing’, before naming 2004’s epic Troy, and then rounding it out with a Christmas favourite for many, Home Alone, adding that he ‘watched it a lot as a kid, and then again now’.

As for fan reaction to Haaland’s four favourites, let’s just say it’s been mixed.

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Among the 1,000+ comments on the Instagram video, you’ll find just as many people called him ‘king’ and saying he has ‘goated’ taste, as you will comments like this: “He has the most male gazed top four in history of Letterboxd.”

After all, you can’t please everyone.

Featured Image – Letterboxd (via Facebook)

Sport

Manchester City reveal world-first third kit… designed by AI

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Manchester City reveal world-first third kit... designed by AI

Manchester City have just revealed the club’s third kit for the season, and it’s a world-first AI-designed kit.

The new Man City and Puma kit was revealed in full this morning after days of teasing on billboards across Manchester.

For the first time in professional football history, the kit is designed by a fan, using AI.

180,000 fans submitted designs through the Puma AI Creator, with the winning design now projected on some of the city’s biggest digital billboards – on Market Street, and at Printworks.

Created by lifelong Cityzen and stills photographer Elliott, the final design is inspired by Manchester City’s iconic 13/14 season away shirt.

Elliott’s creative interpretation was crowned in January 2025 after a global fan vote.

The digital billboards show each different stage of the AI design process, from prompt to finished design, with the tagline ‘designed by one of us, chosen by all of us’.

The AI Man City kit reveal
The AI Man City kit reveal

Eagle-eyed Man City fans may have noticed a cryptic ‘loading’ screen in town on Tuesday, with just a hint of the shirt visible.

Then on Wednesday, the screens displayed: “AI prompt accepted. Fan vote confirmed. Final Manchester City 26/27 Third Kit design processing.”

Then the full reveal has taken place today, Thursday 27 August, finally unveiling the full shirt with the words: “Designed by one of us. Chosen by all of us”.

Reacting to live images of the billboards, Elliott said: “Seeing my complete design revealed on billboards in the city centre this morning was unbelievable.

“City has been part of our family’s life for as long as I can remember, so this is as good as it gets for me.

“Creativity is naturally part of my everyday life as a photographer, but it was good to turn my hand to something else and see what could be created with the use of AI.

“The 13/14 away shirt was always my favourite, so it felt like the natural starting point for my prompt. From there, it was amazing to see the technology take that spark of an idea and turn it into something I could actually shape and refine.

“To know that a shirt I designed on my lunch break will now be worn by the players is something I still can’t quite get my head around!”

The 26/27 Manchester City Third Kit will be available at mancity.com/shop and Manchester City Official Stores, with 10% off for Members and Seasoncard holders (automatically applied when logged in with a Member account online).

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Featured image: The Manc Group

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