Manchester Thunder bid to break Netball Super League attendance record with AO Arena game against Leeds Rhinos

Sports fans in Manchester are being called on to help the city’s netball team break the domestic league attendance record for a home match when they take to the court in the AO Arena.

Manchester Thunder are moving their Netball Super League game against Leeds Rhinos to one of the biggest indoor venues in the city in May and want a record number of fans to turn up to cheer them on.

The club is looking to break the current record for a home match in the competition, which stands at 5,959.

Here’s what you need to know about what promises to be another very special occasion in a city which just loves its top flight sport.

Manchester Thunder hoping for a record-breaking occasion

Manchester Thunder is taking its Netball Super League game against the Leeds Rhinos to the AO Arena on Sunday 7 May, during the coronation bank holiday weekend. The club normally plays its home games in a 2,000 capacity venue at the Belle Vue Sports Village but is taking the match-up with its cross-Pennine rivals from Yorkshire to the bigger arena.

The Thunder played at the AO Arena in 2022, attracting 4,000 fans to a game, but this year the club has set its sights on taking the sport in Manchester to the next level by breaking the attendance record for a domestic home game, which currently stands at 5,959 supporters. The club is hoping to pack the lower bowl level of the arena, which will be configured in a horseshoe layout for the game.

The Thunder’s 2023 squad contains players such as England internationals Nat Metcalf and Amy Carter and South African goal shooter Lenize Potgieter, a key offseason acquisition for this year’s campaign.

Netball Manchester Live at the AO Arena on Sunday 7 May will see the doors open at 3.30pm with a curtain-raising game starting at 4pm before Thunder and Leeds Rhinos take to the court for the big match at 6pm.

Tickets start at £15 for adults and £12.50 for juniors and students, while group tickets from £10 are also available. To find out more about the event, visit the Manchester Thunder website here. To buy tickets, visit the tickets page of the Manchester Thunder website.

Who are the Manchester Thunder?

Manchester Thunder were a founder member of the Netball Super League and have an impressive pedigree in the competition, reaching the playoffs for the past 13 seasons in a row.

They have lifted the league title on four occasions, including last year’s incredible season in which they swept the board and recorded a perfect campaign of 22 wins from 22 matches. However, that was followed by the departure of several well-known players, including Roses star Eleanor Cardwell and Malawian goal shooter Joyce Mvula.

The head coach and director of netball at the club is Karen Greig, who captained Thunder to their first Netball Super League title in 2012 before retiring from playing.

Using the AO Arena for a high-profile match is part of the Thunder’s link with AO, which also has partnerships in Greater Manchester including Sale Sharks, Lancashire County Cricket Club and Bolton Lads and Girls Club.

Thunder says its vision is to be ‘the best elite netball club in the UK, on and off court’.