Pro:Direct to open global flagship football store in Manchester
The retailer said the store would offer an ‘elevated’ shopping experience with a curated range of performance football products and services designed to help players ‘find the right fit, feel, and edge’
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Sports retailer Pro:Direct Soccer is set to open its first global flagship store in early 2026, with Manchester chosen as the location for the new football-focused concept.
The store, called PD:FC, will open in Manchester Arndale and is described by the company as “the first of its kind”. It aims to combine football performance, innovation and culture under one roof.
Pro:Direct said Manchester had been selected due to its “deep chemistry and heritage” in football, music and fashion, positioning it as a natural choice for the new format.
The retailer said the store would offer an “elevated” shopping experience with a curated range of performance football products and services designed to help players “find the right fit, feel, and edge”.
PD:FC is also intended as a cultural hub, bringing together players, coaches, fans, creatives and local talent into what the company calls a “shared ecosystem”.
Sam Baldock, chief of brand at Pro:Direct Sport, said: “Manchester is the beating heart of football culture – a city where the game’s history, passion, and future collide. Launching our new PD:FC concept here is about more than opening a store; it’s about creating a space that lives and breathes football and its culture.
“A place where players and fans can connect with the very best the sport has to offer. This is our home for the football inspired community in the Manchester area – from the streets to the stadiums – and we can’t wait to welcome everyone through the doors.”
Graeme Jones, executive director for asset management at Sovereign Centros from CBRE, added: “We’re excited to welcome Pro:Direct Sport to Manchester Arndale’s lineup, reinforcing our position as a top choice destination for e-commerce brands seeking to expand into physical retail.
“With Manchester’s reputation as the UK’s leading sporting city, Manchester Arndale is the perfect place for Pro:Direct Sport’s first physical store. Their arrival is testament to our consistent strong performance and ability to attract shoppers across Manchester and beyond.”
