The Nottingham Panthers confirmed their final installation for the 2025-26 preseason and will face the Manchester Storm on Saturday, August 30 at 19:00.
The announcement completed the team’s warm-up before a new campaign, providing fans with a blend of international flavor, emotional tribute and elite league competition before the competitive season begins.
The encounter with the Manchester Storm will bring more conspiracy as the Panthers meet with Storm’s new head coach Cam Critchlow, who is known at Altrincham after six seasons on the club’s ice. It will be the chance for Nottingham to test the reshaping of the Storm roster under fresh leadership, the only preseason the Panthers will go out at home. The game is expected to be fiercely contested and played, however, many bettors will support the Panthers in the best way Non-gamstop gamstop gambling website UK Bettors can bet because they offer competitive hockey odds, spend quickly through various trading methods, and generous bonuses such as welcome rewards, cashback quotes and free bets make them the ideal platform for fans to add extra thrill to their viewing experience.
The first game of the preseason will be Saturday, August 23, when the Panthers welcome Concordia University in Canada. Visitors are part of the highly regarded USPORTS alliance, bringing North American energy and tactical disciplines. The game also has sensual value as it is the annual commemorative fixture for former general manager Gary Moran, who died in 2021 after dedicating more than four decades to the club. The presence of Blake Richardson, son of former Panthers forward Bruce Richardson, may add weight.
A week later, Sunday, August 31, the Panthers will host enthusiasts, one of the leading teams in France’s Ligue Magnus, as Ice hockey is rising in popularity across the country. The French club, known as the Gothic Ques d’Amiens, has a history of showdowns against the Panthers in preseason exhibitions and European competitions. The fixture will act as the Aladdin Cup and maintain a long-term relationship between the two clubs. Both sides aim to improve their roster before the league starts, so it is expected to be a strong test of Nottingham’s defensive and offensive coordination.
The preseason will be back-to-back against Cardiff Devils. First, the Panthers will head to Cardiff on Friday, September 5, and then the two teams will meet again the next night, Saturday, September 6 in Nottingham. Given the latest history between the two sides, the rematch has increased interest. Just a few weeks ago, they clashed in the dramatic playoff final, Nottingham won in overtime, Win the title 4-3. These early games will not only rekindle this competitive tension, but will also allow fans to get an early look at Cardiff’s new backup boss, Paul Thompson.
For Panthers fans, home games with Concordia, Amiens and Cardiff are included in the full season ticket, while more details on the individual game tickets for the 26-game holder will be released soon. The preseason season not only provides international talent, elite league competitors and meaningful tributes, providing not only preparation, but also setting the tone for the coming months. The Manchester trip is the final part of the puzzle, and fans will be eager to see how the team shapes the storm side of their homeland.
