Mon 7 Sep 2026 - 07:00AM
ALL EYES ON CHALLENGE CUP OPENER ON SATURDAY
➡️ CLICK HERE TO BUY TICKETS FOR PANTHERS HOME GAMES ⬅️
After the conclusion of pre-season at the weekend, Nottingham Panthers now turn their attentions to the start of the regular-season and back-to-back matches in the Challenge Cup against Manchester Storm.
After wins over French Ligue Magnus sides Ducs d'Angers (4-2) and Gothiques d'Amiens (4-1), Panthers beat Cardiff Devils 5-4 on Saturday night led by two goals for Chase Pearson.
The Devils secured a 5-2 victory on Sunday night in Cardiff as Panthers ended pre-season with three victories and just the one defeat.
Another large crowd is set to be in the Motorpoint Arena so you are urged to secure your seats asap as we begin the defence of our Challenge Cup trophy on Saturday 12th September (19:00 face-off).
Panthers beat Coventry Blaze 3-2 in overtime to secure the 2025/26 Challenge Cup as part of last season's double-winning campaign.
After Saturday's match in Nottingham, the two sides will meet again in Manchester on Sunday 13th September (16:00 face-off) for the first competitive game in the Manchester Arena for 24 years.
It's a special time for the Storm who are back in the AO Arena in the centre of Manchester. They originally moved into the newly-opened Manchester Arena in 1995 and the building was also previously known as the Nynex Arena and MEN Arena.
Manchester won the inaugural Superleague title in 1996 and set a British ice hockey attendance record as over 17,000 people saw them face Sheffield Steelers the following season.
They left the arena in 2002 but played their first game back on Sunday which saw the Steelers secure a 6-5 pre-season victory after penalty-shots.
You can secure your tickets here for a special night for Manchester with Panthers the first opponents for a competitive game in the arena for nearly 25 years.
There's a big weekend of action ahead. In Nottingham on Saturday. In Manchester on Sunday. Two huge Challenge Cup matches. Join the #PanthersNation and experience the special Panthers roar!