Manchester Storm announce partnership with USAsports including NHL pop-ups and more

Danny Jones Danny Jones Manchester Storm USAsports NHL merch pop-up stand

Manchester Storm have announced a landmark new deal with USAsports, a dedicated home for British fans of North American sporting disciplines and global merchandising suppliers, which will see various exciting events this upcoming season.

Confirming the collaboration ahead of the pending 2026/27 campaign, this crossover will involve everything from special pop-up events to player sponsorships and much more.

With MCR Storm getting close to their long-awaited AO Arena return after nearly two and a half decades, many supporters are taking matchday membership back up, and it looks like this year is the perfect time for merch hunters, too.

Revealing the partnership on social media this Tuesday, 11 August, the two brands outlined various plans laid out over the next few months.

USAsports specialise in officially licensed NHL, NFL, NBA and MLB clothing, and while you may have seen the odd jersey here and there at various Greater Manchester locations, they are now gearing up to work with Manchester Storm to deliver better exposure.

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Whether you’re just a die-hard member of the Storm Shelter or an ex-pat who still follows an NHL franchise overseas, kit collecting and the fascination surrounding limited edition team jumpers is a big part of ice hockey fandom and culture not just here in the UK but around the world.

Sharing their own announcement, they wrote: “Manchester Storm are thrilled to announce a new partnership with USAsports for the 2026/27 Motorpoint Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL) season as the club embarks on an exciting new chapter at the AO Arena.

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“As part of the partnership, USAsports will sponsor a Manchester Storm player throughout the season and deliver multiple NHL Pop-Up Shop events at Storm home games during the forthcoming campaign.”

On the subject of sponsorship, commercial entities are the only people who will be given the opportunity to back big players this term, as Storm are once again bringing back their ‘own-and-loan’ scheme.

Speaking on working closely with their new partners, the club’s General Manager, Ryan Finnerty, added: “We’re delighted to have USAsports on board for the 2026/27 season.

“Their passion for the fan experience really stood out to us, and their NHL Pop-Up Shops throughout the season will be a fantastic addition to game days at the AO Arena.

“We’re looking forward to working together throughout what promises to be a very exciting season.”

As casual fans here at The Manc, we’ll admit that watching the growing buzz around the resurgent ice hockey team, especially ahead of their Manchester city centre ‘homecoming’, has got us amped to dive deeper into the sport when it gets back underway next month. We’re not the only ones, either…

Manchester Storm have already set a new record before they’ve even returned ‘home’
They face Sheffield Steelers on Sunday, 6 September.

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Featured Images — Publicity pictures (via Manchester Storm)

New BBC series based on bestselling book to film in Manchester with big-name actors

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

A new BBC series based on a bestselling book is set to begin filming in Manchester.

The new series, titled You Are Here, is described as being an ‘honest, witty, and tender’ love story based on David Nicholls’ critically acclaimed novel of the same name – with the author having also written the eight-part adaptation set to be directed Lenny Abrahamson, who is best known for BBC‘s cult-classic miniseries Normal People, and the Oscar-nominated Room (2015).

Set along the Coast to Coast walking trail from the Lake District to Robin Hood’s Bay in North Yorkshire, You Are Here tells the story of Marnie and Michael.

When a mutual friend throws them together, Marnie and Michael unexpectedly find themselves setting off on an epic walk.

Against the odds, they end up on the brink of a relationship that neither was looking for, but might be exactly what they both need.

Treading the tricky path from loneliness to love, Marnie and Michael go coast-to-coast across the stunning English countryside, navigating an undeniable attraction along the way that is just as exhilarating as it is terrifying.

Producers say the series is about finding a connection when you least expect it and overcoming the obstacles of midlife.

Set to be filmed across Manchester and the Lake District, it has been announced that respected actors Claire Foy and Matthew Macfadyen will take on the lead roles of Marnie and Michael.

“I’m so delighted to be working on You Are Here with Element, the BBC, Starz, and Lenny, whose work I’ve admired for many years,” commented David Nicholls.

“And Matthew and Claire are both just dream casting, wonderful in comedy and drama, so detailed and thoughtful and sympathetic.

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“The intention with the novel was to write a close-up study of a relationship, but set against this magnificent landscape, and that’s our ambition here too – to make something both intimate and epic, funny and dramatic, a romantic comedy with real emotion.

“We can’t wait to bring Marnie and Michael’s journey to the screen.”

Featured Image – Juankr and Josh Wool (via BBC Press Office)

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