PRO:DIRECT Sport has announced plans to open PD:FC, a new global flagship Football Performance & Culture store, at Manchester Arndale. The retailer has signed a 10-year lease to occupy a two-floor, 9,180 sq ft unit.
The company said Manchester was chosen for its heritage in football, music and fashion, making it a natural location for the launch of this concept.
According to PRO:DIRECT Sport, the store will showcase a blend of football innovation, performance and culture, aiming to offer an elevated service proposition and a wide choice of performance products. It is designed to help players find the right fit and tools to improve their game, while also curating elements of football culture drawn from both stadiums and the streets.
More than a retail space, PD:FC is intended to act as a hub for the Greater Manchester football community. The company plans for the store to bring together players, coaches, fans, creatives and emerging talent, establishing a shared ecosystem rooted in football culture.
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.”
The store will be used to showcase Manchester’s football identity to the wider world through the brand’s digital reach, which includes more than eight million subscribers and followers.
Graeme Jones, Executive Director for Asset Management at Sovereign Centros from CBRE, said: “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.”
The opening of PD:FC adds to a string of high-profile retail arrivals at Manchester Arndale and New Cathedral Street. Recent additions include Sephora, Arc’teryx, Alo Yoga, Trailberg, and Represent.
Metis Real Estate and Time Retail Partners are the retained letting agents for Manchester Arndale.
