The stage could not be better set for Manchester Thunder to welcome Loughborough Lightning to Manchester. A sell-out crowd will welcome the 2023 champions to Belle Vue hoping that the drum roll will ensue a Thunder roll and continue our unbeaten run.
With Lightning’s only loss to Pulse in round 3, by just a single goal and Thunder unbeaten so far, it’s billed as the biggest clash of the 2024 league to date. Thunder boosted our centre court by recruiting the impressive Imogen Allison, to beef it up in the middle after a Lightning mid-court masterclass in the semi-final defeat in 2023.
Can Vic Burgess’s purple and white’s be victorious once again or has Karen Greig’s pickups enabled her to shuffle her pack and gain revenge?
Date:
Saturday 23rd March 2024
How to Book Tickets:
Tickets are sold out for this game, and no tickets will be available to purchase on the door.
If you have missed out on tickets, the game will be available to stream via BBC iPlayer.
Collecting Tickets:
If you have booked your tickets through Ticketline, they will send you your tickets via email. Please have the tickets ready to show on your phone or print them out and bring them with you.
If you have been instructed to collect your tickets from the venue, when you arrive please head over to the ticket desk where we will be able to help you.
Location and How To Get There:
Belle Vue Sports Village, Kirkmanshulme Lane, Manchester, M12 4TF
Travelling by car: Satnav postcode M12 4TF
Travelling by bus: Buses 201 and 203 have routes that pass near Belle Vue. The closest stop is Elsham Gardens on Stanley Grove.
Travelling by train: The closest station is Belle Vue, and then it is a 0.6 mile walk to the venue (13 minutes.)
Parking:
Unreserved parking is available with a small charge of £4.00 per vehicle. If travelling by bus or coach there are bays on the main road – Kirkmanshulme Lane – outside the venue with plenty of space and availability.
Security:
Outside the venue security will be checking bags so please account for this when planning your day.
Timings:
2.30pm – Doors open
2.45pm – Curtain raiser game: NP – Manchester Thunder U19s vs Loughborough Lightning U19s
The curtain raiser game is included in the cost of your ticket
5pm – Main NSL game: Manchester Thunder vs Loughborough Lightning
The game will consist of 4 x fifteen minute quarters, with a 4 minute break between quarters 1 and 3, and a 12 minute break at half time.
The game is scheduled to finish at 6.20pm, where we will be announcing the winner of the raffle plus awarding our Player of the Match. Once players have warmed down, there will be an opportunity to line up along the side of the court and take selfies and get autographs from the Thunder players. Don’t forget to tag us! @thundernetball
Food and Beverage Options:
There is a food village on site with a good selection of food and drinks including alcoholic beverages, as well as a tuck shop.
Please note, if you purchase food from the food truck located outside the venue on the road and try to bring it in, you will be stopped by security and asked to consume the food before entering.
Merchandise:
A full range of Manchester Thunder merchandise is on sale at the venue though out retail partners Netball UK, plus fan favourites foam hands, hats and scarves to support Manchester Thunder.
Other Things To Purchase At The Game:
You can buy ducks for our famous half time competition, Chuck-a-duck which cost £2 per duck, and you can win fabulous prizes from our primary partner AO. To win, at half time everyone will line up along the side of the court and throw their ducks, and the duck closest to the centre circle will win.
We will also be running our raffle to win a range of different Thunder goodies, and the winners will be drawn at the end of the game.
There will also be gameday activations from sponsors that will vary throughout the season.
What Else Is Happening During The Day?
VIP hospitality in available the Black and Yellow Lounge is hosted in the Peter Craven Suite. Hospitality tickets must be purchased to access, and more information can be found by clicking here.
Every Thunder home match has a theme, check out our social media channels or website for the themes! Dress to impress for every theme!
On Saturday fixtures we have the Rumble with Thunder for juniors age 8-14, read more by clicking here.
More Information:
If you have any questions, please email [email protected].
