First look at plans for massive 3,000-seater ice-hockey arena next to Trafford Centre

Developer hails the creation of 17,500 jobs with 33,000 to come

Plans have been submitted for a 3,000 capacity, purpose-built sports arena which could host top-flight ice-hockey team Manchester Storm.

The TraffordCity Arena, will be partly let to Planet Ice, and will feature skating facilities which can also convert into a multi-use event suitable for on and off ice entertainment

Situated next to the Chill Factore, Fives, iFLY and The Padel Club TraffordCity, the three-acre development will be on the former Soccer Dome site.

The land will be acquired from regeneration specialists Peel Waters, master planners of TraffordCity. In mid-2023, the site was cleared in preparation for future leisure developments.

ICITIES, the developer of the new TraffordCity Arena, secured a major pre-let to Planet Ice to bring their ice-leisure offer in early 2024. Planet Ice will operate the arena, offering year-round ice activities, lessons and sessions.

Bosses say ‘exceptional user experience and hospitality will be at the forefront of the operation’.

Visitors to the arena will be able to choose from several varied and inclusive onsite food and drink offerings, including grab-and-go options, a stylish family dining restaurant and high-end sports bar. VIP and corporate areas have been included in the plans as well as private party rooms.

The TraffordCity Arena will have innovative technology and infrastructure embedded throughout its design to allow other uses of the arena. It will be able to host virtual reality immersive experiences, small concerts, screenings and live entertainment.

The new ice-leisure and events destination will further enhance the expanding sport-based leisure and experience offerings Peel Waters have been curating within TraffordCity, which already includes skiing, snowboarding, skydiving, golf, five-a-side aside football, gym and Padel.

Peel says some, 17,500 jobs have been created within the destination to date with plans to increase this to 33,000 over the next 20 years.

Peel Water managing director James Whittaker, said: “Bringing in the right partners to work with is fundamental to all of our Peel Waters projects and we are very excited to be working in partnership with ICITIES, Planet Ice and Manchester Storm to bring this fantastic new facility and offering to TraffordCity which is widely recognised as the UK’s leading retail and leisure destination.

“We have always had the aspiration to offer a sport for everyone at TraffordCity, whether it’s golfing, skiing, skydiving, football, gym or Padel there is no other destination in the country that brings together everything that’s available here in one place.

"Through this new arena, we will now be able to offer a wide range of ice-leisure activities for communities to enjoy taking part in or spectating, which in turn will also grow our visitor economy and bring in further investment into the area.”

The new arena at TraffordCity will mean Trafford will have two ice leisure facilities within the borough.

"The two ice pads will bring the borough up to the standards of competing cities like Sheffield, Nottingham and London which offer at least two pads.

"Both Altrincham and TraffordCity will be available for training, playing, coaching and teaching, supporting aspirations to grow the UK’s interest and talent in ice sports.

The purpose-built facility could provide a further boost for top-flight ice hockey team, Manchester Storm.

The club has confirmed they are now in advanced negotiations to play out of the new state-of-the-art facility in TraffordCity, which will be able to accommodate an additional 1,000 fans and spectators in comparison with their current site in Altrincham, known locally to fans as “The Storm Shelter”.

The new ice arena will also include standing sections and encourage interaction and audience participation to add to the atmosphere the new arena will create for spectators. Planet Ice says it will also be working with Trafford Council to upgrade the older facility in Altrincham.

Ryan Finnerty, general manager of Manchester Storm said: “Manchester Storm are delighted to be in advanced negotiations to be a partner alongside Peel Waters, Planet Ice and ICITIES for the development of TraffordCity Ice Arena”

Heath Rhodes, chief operations manager of Planet Ice, added: “This new facility will offer greater advantages to meet the high demand for ice time in the area as well as first rate amenities and service.

"The demand for ice facilities in the north west is outgrowing supply. In ice hockey terms Manchester needs at least two ice pads to offer enough ice time. #

"We are delighted to bring the second pad to TraffordCity providing access to a wider Manchester audience, with plenty of parking and neighbouring sports facilities. Planet Ice will be working with Trafford Council to upgrade the older facility. It’s a really exciting time for Planet Ice and Manchester Ice users.”

Nick Payne, director of ICITIES, also added: “We wanted to bring a wider choice of on-site uses to this arena so we have designed a facility capable of professional ice hockey as well as a range of non-ice facilities all within one building.”

If planning permission is granted, the estimated build time of the ice-arena and event space will be approximately 12 to 15 months once construction starts on site.