Which professional sport is the only one in Manchester that has a permanent home in the city centre? 

It’s a great pub quiz question but one that hopefully more will know the answer to after going to watch Manchester Storm play ice hockey at the AO Arena. The new home for the side following a return here after playing in Altrincham for 11 years. 

Ice hockey is one of the fastest growing sports in the UK. The last EIHL season set a record 1.25 million spectators, a number that signals a genuine shift in public appetite. 

The rise of ice hockey in the UK

There was scepticism after the announcement for Manchester Storm. Whether there would be a demand to fill the arena and attract new fans, but for the first game against Sheffield Steelers, just over 11,000 packed in for the biggest UK attendance in over two decades for ice hockey. 

And in terms of a matchday experience watching the Storm, the AO Arena’s city centre location is fantastic and a huge upgrade from Altrincham. 

You’re right next to a big train station in Victoria and sitting in a venue that is used to hosting major events all the time. 

When we visited, Storm were playing Belfast Giants. Printworks and Victoria Tap are busy with fans wearing hockey jerseys and soaking up the atmosphere. It’s a different vibe to other sports, there’s more families around and it feels more relaxed. 

Tickets for games are £30 for adults and £10 for U12s to watch nearly three hours of the top division professional sport. 

The fan experience

Adam has been watching Storm since 2023, and arrives at Victoria with a big group of 14. “I’ve only been coming since 2023,” he says.

“I’ve never really been into football, more motorsport. I love the fast-paced action you get from that and you kind of get the same here.”

They all met through watching the Storm and the group has expanded from a couple of mates to something a bit more. 

“I got introduced to the NHL through a mate and then I got invited by someone I knew here to one of the EIHL games. 

“We went when it was at Altrincham and had a really good time and then we were like ‘let’s keep going to more!’ and eventually more of us ended up going. I love how much the community is growing, especially in the last couple of years. 

“Now I’ve got a season ticket and it’s a fantastic experience. The facilities weren’t great in Altrincham but it was still a good experience. 

“But there’s something about the atmosphere here, especially at the first Sheffield game that was just crazy. It was pure passion. The community is so friendly and that’s one of the best things. 

A lively atmosphere

The move to the arena hasn’t been without issues, but the club has taken responsibility for them. 

A Challenge Cup match against the Nottingham Panthers had to be called off after the club described a “technical issue with the ice”. All tickets purchased were transferred to the rescheduled fixture and management sent out a lengthy apology. 

“Even with the issues with the ice, the club were very open about it and they put out a post saying we know it’s not good enough and we’ll make the changes and they have. 

“It’s growing pains and a natural, new thing for a move to an arena. 

“The team looks really good, it looks the best I’ve ever seen and I’m hopeful that we’ll get to the playoffs again. A lot of the team have stayed from last year and Cameron Critchlow has stayed as the coach.” 

Before the game, there’s a big light show on the ice, as kids stand up on the chairs and wave foam fingers to Chase the Sun, the tune known more for being played at the darts. 

There are people drinking pints here and the atmosphere is lively but there’s no swearing. Away fans are not segregated behind a police cordon. 

The closest you’ll get is a couple of Belfast Giants fans chanting ‘is this a library.’ But it’s all in good spirits. They’ve brought around 100 fans over the Irish sea, all impressed with visiting the AO Arena for an ice hockey game. 

“I think one of the biggest differences between hockey and football is that hockey feels a lot more inclusive, the fans get along,” says Kevin, a Belfast Giants fan who’s come today with his family. 

“Don’t get me wrong, in the game there’s a bit of toing and froing, but at the end of the day, we’re all here to watch a sport with a shared interest and shared passion. 

“Although it’s niche, from going back a couple of years, it’s definitely a massive increase on what we used to have. We just need to keep going and spread the word. 

“It’s definitely a step up here from Altrincham, the sidelines are better, sound system is better, the crowd is just phenomenal.”

The format of the game

The game rushes into a frantic start as the “noisy section” in block 112 start to drum and chant. 

The format is three periods, each 20 minutes with a break in between. There’s up to 6 players on the ice per team, it’s fast. 

The clock stops whenever play is stopped, which is why a 60-minute game takes considerably longer in reality. This is where the big screen comes in with interactive games with fans during the breaks and competitions. 

By the third quarter, Belfast are 4-1 up and it looks like it will be a win for the Giants. 

That’s where the Storm brews. Manchester Storm fight back and score 2 goals in the space of 10 minutes. The last 5 minutes are exciting to watch, as fans get behind the team to try and find an equaliser. 

And with one of the last plays of the game, with just seconds to play, Storm find an equaliser to take the game to overtime at 4-4. 

 It’s a fantastic comeback and the players go straight over to the fans and raise their sticks in the air to celebrate with them.

In the end, Belfast score a goal on the counter-attack in overtime to win the game 5-4 but Storm are unlucky to not get all the points. They’ll get one for drawing it in normal time.

Coach Cameron Critchlow addresses fans

After the final buzzer, the players clap the fans off who stand for a good 5-10 minutes to say thanks. 

“The fans were amazing today, what a vibe in the building. The atmosphere is just incredible. 

“It was another great comeback and we found a way to will it home, unfortunately we didn’t collect the other point,” said head coach Cameron Critchlow after the game. 

Leaving the arena, neutrals and the hardcore who have watched the Storm can’t complain at that for 3 hours of entertainment. 

9 goals, a fight, and nearly a great result. And they don’t have to go home all the way home from Altrincham. 

Manchester Storm will return to AO Arena to play Coventry Blaze on Friday 30th October.