Nottingham Panthers have confirmed the final fixture of their 2025–26 pre-season schedule, with a trip to face Manchester Storm set for Saturday, 30th August at 19:00.
This announcement completes the team’s line-up of warm-up matches ahead of the new campaign, offering fans a blend of international flavour, emotional tributes, and Elite League rivalries before the competitive season begins.
The encounter with Manchester Storm will bring an added layer of intrigue as the Panthers meet Storm’s new Head Coach Cam Critchlow, who is well-known in Altrincham after six seasons on the ice for the club. This will be a chance for Nottingham to test themselves against a reshaped Storm roster under fresh leadership, and it’s the only pre-season game the Panthers will play away from home. The game is expected to be tightly contested and go either way, however, many punters will be backing the Panthers at the best non GamStop betting websites UK punters can wager at as they offer competitive ice hockey odds, fast payouts through diverse transaction methods, and generous bonuses like welcome rewards, cashback offers, and free bets, making them the ideal platform for fans to add an extra layer of thrills to their viewing experience.
The first game of pre-season falls on Saturday, 23rd August, when the Panthers welcome Concordia University from Canada. The visitors, part of the highly respected USports league, bring North American energy and tactical discipline. This match also holds sentimental value, as it doubles as the annual memorial fixture for former General Manager Gary Moran, who passed away in 2021 after dedicating over four decades to the club. The occasion will likely carry added weight with the presence of Blake Richardson, a Concordia player and son of former Panthers forward Bruce Richardson.
A week later, on Sunday, 31st August, the Panthers will host Amiens, one of France’s leading teams in Ligue Magnus, as ice hockey continues to rise in popularity across the country. Known as Gothiques D’Amiens, the French club has a history of matchups against the Panthers in both pre-season exhibitions and European competitions. The fixture will serve as the Aladdin Cup and continue a long-standing relationship between the two clubs. With both sides aiming to sharpen their squads before league action begins, it promises to be a strong test for Nottingham’s defensive and offensive coordination.
Rounding off the pre-season will be a back-to-back set against Cardiff Devils. First, Panthers will travel to Cardiff on Friday, 5th September, before the two teams meet again in Nottingham the following evening, Saturday, 6th September. The rematch holds added interest given the recent history between the sides. Just weeks ago, they clashed in a dramatic playoff final where Nottingham emerged victorious in double overtime, sealing the title with a 4-3 win. These early contests will not only rekindle that competitive tension but will also give fans an early look at Cardiff’s new bench boss, Paul Thompson, a familiar figure from his time with Coventry Blaze and Sheffield Steelers.
For Panthers fans, the home matches against Concordia, Amiens, and Cardiff are included in the All-In Season Ticket, while further details on individual match ticket prices for 26-game holders and the general public will be released soon. With a mixture of international talent, Elite League rivals, and meaningful tributes, this pre-season slate offers more than just preparation, it sets the tone for the months to come. The trip to Manchester is the final piece of the puzzle, and fans will be eager to see how the team shapes up against a reinvigorated Storm side in their home arena.
