Sport

Manchester Storm break annual attendance record as UK ice hockey crowds continue to grow

The North remains at the forefront of growing the sport's following here in the UK.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 3rd January 2024

0161 continues to help champion the growth of ice hockey on this side of the Atlantic as Manchester Storm and the Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL) at large managed to break respective record attendances.

The Altrincham-based team, who play out of Planet Ice over in the thriving Trafford town, currently sit eighth in the EIHL and even at times when the results are going their way, they continue to pull in some of the biggest and best crowds from around the UK.

Welcoming a total of 52,823 fans into the ‘Storm Shelter’ in 2023, Storm have boasted their best-ever numbers and ticket sales over the past calendar year and the fan base is only getting greater. Massive.

Better still, as per a press release on the club website, 80,745 filed into stadiums across 20 fixtures between Christmas and New Year, with Manchester Storm’s attendances also helping set a new league record for the festive period.

Not only was the league-wide tally a 5.5% increase on the same set of games last season (26 December 2023 -1 January 2024) and a whole 12.9% compared to the 2019/20 campaign, but the current average attendance per game now sits at over 4,000.

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A solid foundation that the British and Irish supporter base just keeps building on.

Outside of Greater Manchester, Glasgow Clan set a franchise record crowd of 3,577 on Boxing Day against the Belfast Giants and then went on to beat it again just days later with 3,602 fans turning up to the Braehead Arena for the game against Fife Flyers on 30 December.

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Meanwhile, the Dundee Stars’ crowd of 2,342 against the Giants was also a club record Belfast and are now aiming for their an unprecedented trio of consecutive games with attendances over 2,100. It’s a really good time for ice hockey in the UK right now.

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The Storm, Giants, Nottingham Panthers, Sheffield Steelers and Cardiff Devils all enjoyed sell-out games over the holiday season, regardless of the weather and public transport obstacles that fans often face around this time of the year.

With four months left until the end of the regular season and plenty of time to secure a spot in the playoffs, now is as good a time as any to get behind the premier squad of Manc skaters.

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They face the Devils at home at 7pm on Saturday, 6 January who are currently second in the standings in case you want a fun and affordable night of live sport that’s easy to get to.

We’re happy to say that Manchester Storm is just one of several teams that have made Trafford an international sporting destination.

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

Featured Images — Manchester Storm (via Instagram)

Sport

Limited 10k places left as Great Manchester Run half marathon sells out once again

Danny Jones Danny Jones are there great manchester run 10k places left?

The AJ Bell Great Manchester Run half marathon has officially sold out yet again for 2025, with just a small number of 10k places left.

With thousands of Mancs and visitors to the region having earned themselves glory at this year’s Manchester Marathon, attention has already turned to the next big event: the Great MCR Run.

Returning for its 22nd year, AJ Bell is bringing the Great Manchester Run back to the city and while tickets for the longest distance may have been snapped up as per, anyone debating taking on the 10k still has time to get their bib through the post.

Go on, you know what want the finish line feeling – not to mention a shiny new medal to score some well-deserved free pints on the day.

Yes, while spaces on the Great Manchester Run have already sold out in no time, there are are now less than 500 still left to grab for the 10k.

The question is, will you be one of them?

Final entries are available for £45 but there are also a select few charity places for anyone who backs themself to raise enough money before race day.

Taking place on Sunday, 18 May, with the first runners getting underway from approximately 8:10am, you’ve not got long to decide whether you want to be part of the action.

Having done it multiple times ourselves and with a local gold-medal-winning Olympian getting things underway this year, we can’t recommend it enough.

Credit: AJ Bell

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It’s worth also worth noting that if you missed out on the half marathon this year but fancy giving the next one a go, you can set a reminder for 2026 entries now.

One final thing: last minute Great Manchester Run entrants for the 10k must be aged 15 and over; a booking fee of £2.50 per entry will also applied at checkout.

Beyond that, provided you’ve got the training under your belt/you already a solid fitness base, the only thing that’s left to do is get ready for the starting gun. You can even take part in the official shake-out run, if you fancy it.

See you for the post-race pints and hopefully some PB showboating!

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

Featured Images — AJ Bell Great Manchester Run

Sport

A massive Manchester United fan zone is being set up for the Europa League final – if they make it…

Danny Jones Danny Jones Manchester United fan zone Europa League final

With the second leg of the Europa League semis looming, in which Manchester United could make it through to the final, a massive fan zone is being tentatively set up.

In truth, they should make it to the conclusion of the UEFA competition – a decider that could see them qualify for the Champions League – given that they took a 3-0 lead back to Old Trafford following the impressive away fixture, but if Man United have proved anything of late, its that they’re unpredictable.

Touch wood, if they make it to the final, supporter park specialists 4 The Fans – the same team behind the huge sites at the likes of Manchester’s Secret City, Love Factory and the Progress Centre for Euro 2024 – are putting one of the biggest fan zones yet.

As always with football, nothing is quite guaranteed, and despite a health advantage that should see them over the line, we’ve seen this side do the unlikeliest of things with leads in recent times. Case and point, that frankly ridiculous Lyon comeback.

man united fan zone manchester europa league
A massive Man United fan zone is on the cards for this year’s Europa League final. (Credit: 4 The Fans)

Provided the Red Devils get the job done on their end, 4 The Fans are committed to putting on a huge fan zone over in Stretford, and with well over 50,000 fans attending their events over the last three years, it’s sure to be a mega atmosphere.

4 The Fans are giving us real Euro vibes with their upcoming plans.

Set to take over the Bowlers Exhibition Centre, a.k.a. the BEC Arena over in Stretford, the enormous events space will be transformed into one of their biggest fan zones to date, with the biggest screen in Manchester. 

VIP seated tickets are also available, and parents are welcome to bring their kids along to the family-friendly event.

Once again, this all hinges on whether or not Man United make it past Athletic Club and book a return trip for the Europa League final, which also happens to be taking place in Bilbao.

However, one of the best bits about all of this is that, in addition to the strong chance of going through, tickets are already available, and supporters are guaranteed their money back if Ruben Amorim’s side manages to capitulate.

No harm, no foul.

bec arena football fan zone
man united fan park bowlers stretford
Past scenes from international tournaments. (Credit: Supplied)

If the idea of being surrounded by fellow Reds for the game isn’t an attractive enough prospect on its own for you, United fans, the event is also set to be hosted by a club legend (still yet to be announced), with DJs and music, as well as special effects throughout.

Of course, there’ll be plenty of pints and scran to fuel the promoter’s famous fan energy on offer too, so you really will be sorted from start to finish.

Doors to the BEC open at 5:30pm, with last entry at 7:30pm ahead of the 8pm kick-off; tickets start from just £8. Until then, you can watch back the highlights from the previous match down below. You can grab yours HERE.

How are you feeling for the game – do you think they’re going all the way?

Surely they can’t blow it from here, can they?…

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

Featured Images — 4 The Fans Events

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