Trafford Council has signed off plans for a new purpose-built ice arena and multi-use events venue at TraffordCity, Manchester, marking a major step in expanding the area’s sport and leisure offer.

The 3,000-capacity TraffordCity Arena will house state-of-the-art ice skating and ice hockey facilities, together with a flexible events area suitable for entertainment and community activities. Planet Ice will be the anchor tenant, and the scheme is set to become one of the operator’s largest sites in the UK.

Set on the former Soccer Dome plot beside The Snow Centre, Trafford Golf Centre, David Lloyd, Fives Soccer, iFLY and The Padel Club, the project is being brought forward by ICITIES in partnership with Peel Waters, which has cleared the land to enable future leisure development.

Year-round ice sessions, lessons and training will be complemented by premium hospitality, with future occupiers expected to provide family dining, bars, leisure offers and VIP areas. The design also allows for concerts, screenings and immersive experiences to broaden the programme for visitors.

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The approval comes amid strong development momentum across TraffordCity. Construction is underway on the £450 million Therme Manchester wellbeing resort, which is expected to add around 1.7 million visits a year once operational. Trafford Waters Care Home, the first residential project within the emerging Trafford Waters neighbourhood, has also completed, anchoring the growing mixed-use community.

With planning in place for the arena, Peel Waters is exploring options for adjacent plots on the former Soccer Dome site, including high-end lifestyle hotels and additional leisure and sporting experiences.

Peel Waters said its long-term TraffordCity vision has already supported 17,500 jobs, with an ambition to reach 33,000 over the next 20 years. The arena is expected to create construction roles and more than 50 permanent operational positions across hospitality, events and leisure once open. TraffordCity currently attracts about 44 million visits annually, with the new venue forecast to drive further footfall and investment across Trafford and Greater Manchester.

Contractors will be confirmed shortly, with construction due to start in summer 2026 and an anticipated build period of 12–15 months. On completion, the arena will form a key part of Peel Waters' wider ambition to create an inclusive destination for sport, leisure and entertainment at TraffordCity.