Have you ever considered watching an ice hockey game or even learning to play? There are a surprising number of ice rinks in the UK, and ice hockey is an exciting sport growing in popularity.
Here is a complete list of UK ice rinks home to competitive ice hockey teams. We have covered all rinks and teams in the following top seven UK leagues.
Top 7 UK Ice Hockey Leagues
| Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL) |
| NIHL National |
| NIHL 1 North Division (Britton) |
| NIHL 1 South Division (Moralee) |
| NIHL 2 North Division (Laidler) |
| NIHL 2 South Division (Wilkinson) |
| Scottish National League (SNL) |
You can find detailed information for each of these rinks below by following the links.
Aberdeen Ice Rink (Linx Ice Arena)
Aberdeen ice rink (also known as Linx Ice Arena) lies northeast of Aberdeen city centre along the beachfront. It is the main ice rink for northeastern Scotland and an important venue for curling, ice hockey, figure skating and speed skating.
Linx Ice Arena is an average-sized venue by UK standards and can accommodate more than 1,000 spectators for ice hockey games and other events. The ice surface is just smaller than Olympic-sized.
- Aberdeen Lynx – Scottish National League (SNL)
Alexandra Palace Ice Rink (Haringey Ice Rink)
Alexandra Palace Ice Rink has an unlikely location. The ice arena can be found in a Victorian-style palace, set in almost 200 acres of beautiful parkland. Alexandra Palace is a multi-purpose venue based in north London, just east of Muswell Hill.
The ice arena has seating for around 1,250 spectators, and the building is attractive with a historic feel. For this reason, you will sometimes see it featured in TV shows and films.
- Haringey Huskies – NIHL 2 South
Altrincham Ice Rink (Planet Ice)
Altrincham Ice Rink is conveniently situated in the centre of Altrincham and is the only ice rink in the Greater Manchester area. The rink is one of 12 listed here that are owned/operated by Planet Ice.
Planet Ice Altrincham is a centre of excellence for ice hockey, figure skating and speed skating. The arena has a seating capacity of over 2,000, and ice hockey games there are well attended.
- Manchester Storm – Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL)
- Altrincham Aces – NIHL 2 North
Auchenharvie Ice Rink (Stevenston)
Auchenharvie Ice Rink (sometimes known as Harvie Ice Rink) is based at Auchenharvie Leisure Centre in Stevenston. Other facilities at the leisure centre include a pool and a gym.
This relatively small ice arena has seating for around 100 spectators but is well-used for a range of on-ice activities, including ice hockey, curling, figure skating and speed skating.
- North Ayrshire Wild – Scottish National League (SNL)
Basingstoke Ice Rink (Planet Ice)
Basingstoke Ice Rink (or Planet Ice Basingstoke) is an older rink around a 5-minute drive west of Basingstoke town centre. It is based at Basingstoke Leisure Park, whose facilities include a cinema, a pool, a hotel, and a variety of places to eat and drink.
This is another UK Planet Ice venue. The arena technically has a capacity for around 2,000 spectators. However, one side of the rink is currently sectioned off due to a need for renovation work.
Despite this, it is a great place to watch a hockey game and has an excellent fan base and game-night atmosphere.
- Basingstoke Bison – NIHL National – Note this team will skip the 2023-2024 season due to rink refurbishments
- Basingstoke Buffalo – NIHL 2 South
Belfast Ice Rink (SSE Arena)
The Belfast Ice Rink (SSE Arena) is a multi-purpose arena in the Odyssey Complex, a large sports and entertainment centre. This relatively new, very comfortable arena is the largest ice arena in the UK.
SSE Arena is in Belfast city centre and home to the EIHL Belfast Giants ice hockey team. The rink shouldn’t be confused with the Dundonald International Ice Bowl, a public ice rink based in Belfast.
- Belfast Giants – Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL)
Billingham Ice Rink (Billingham Forum Ice Arena)
Billingham Ice Rink (also known as Billingham Forum Ice Arena) is based in the centre of Billingham, just 5 minutes off the A19. The rink is at Billingham Forum, a multi-purpose facility with a pool, a theatre and a range of sports facilities.
This is an older rink with seating for around 650 spectators. It was originally built in 1967 but underwent a major refurbishment between 2009 and 2011.
- Billingham Stars – NIHL 1 North
- Billingham Buccaneers – NIHL 2 North
Blackburn Ice Rink (Planet Ice Blackburn)
Blackburn Ice Rink (also known as Planet Ice Blackburn) is located at the southern end of Blackburn town centre. It is one of the larger rinks in the UK, with an Olympic-sized ice surface and a spectator capacity of more than 3,000.
This Planet Ice arena was opened in 1991 by Jane Torvill and Christopher Dean.
- Blackburn Hawks – NIHL 1 North
Bradford Ice Rink (Bradford Ice Arena)
Bradford Ice Rink (Bradford Ice Arena) can be found in the centre of Bradford. The rink is one of the older UK rinks, opening in 1966. The rink’s age does show, and it would definitely benefit from some updating.
However, the staff are friendly, and prices are lower than at many UK rinks. The spectator capacity for games is around 300.
- Bradford Bulldogs – NIHL 2 North
Braehead Ice Rink (Glasgow)
Braehead Ice Rink (Braehead Arena) is a relatively new multipurpose venue. The Braehead complex includes shops, restaurants, a cinema and numerous other entertainment options, such as bowling and laser tag.
The arena, located on the banks of the River Clyde, is one of the larger rinks in the UK, with a spectator capacity of around 4,000.
- Glasgow Clan – Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL)
- Paisley Pirates – Scottish National League (SNL)
Bristol Ice Rink (Planet Ice)
Bristol Ice Rink opened in 2021 and is Planet Ice’s newest rink. It is located at the Cribbs Causeway retail area, just a few minutes off junction 17 of the M5. It is a 20-minute drive north of the city centre.
The rink’s opening allowed ice hockey to finally return to the area. This was long overdue following the closure of the original Bristol ice rink in 2012.
- Bristol Pitbulls – NIHL National
- Bristol Pitbulls 2 – NIHL 2 South
Cardiff Ice Rink (Ice Arena Wales)
Cardiff Ice Rink, also known as Ice Arena Wales, is around 10-minute drive south of Cardiff city centre. It is one of the UK’s newest arenas (built-in 2016) and can be found at the Cardiff International Sports Village.
This facility actually has two ice surfaces, and the main ice arena is one of the nicest ice facilities in the UK, with a spectator capacity of around 2,500.
- Cardiff Devils – Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL)
- Cardiff Fire – NIHL 2 South
Chelmsford Ice Rink (Riverside Leisure Centre)
Chelmsford Ice Rink is at the Riverside Leisure Centre on the northeastern side of Chelmsford city centre. The leisure centre was completed in 2019, and the rink is one of the newest in the UK.
It is one of the smaller spectator rinks in the UK, with around 600 capacity, but it is modern and well-lit, with good views of the ice.
- Chelmsford Chieftains – NIHL 1 South
- Chelmsford Warriors – NIHL 2 South
Coventry Ice Rink (Planet Ice)
The Coventry Ice Rink is a multi-purpose arena known as Planet Ice or the Skydome Arena. It’s located in Coventry’s city centre, just a 10-minute walk from the central railway station.
It is one of the larger rinks in the country, with a spectator capacity of around 3,000. The rows of seating are pretty steep and give very good views of the ice, but it is surprisingly cold for a large arena.
- Coventry Blaze – Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL)
- Coventry NIHL Blaze – NIHL 2 North
Deeside Ice Rink (Deeside Leisure Centre)
Deeside Ice Rink can be found at the Deeside Leisure Centre in northeast Wales. The rink is currently closed following its conversion into a pandemic hospital and then a vaccination centre.
However, the good news is that Deeside Ice Rink is scheduled to reopen before Xmas on December 16th, 2022. One of the rink’s claims to fame is that it was one of two rinks in the country used as training rinks for ITV’s celebrity Dancing on Ice.
- Deeside Dragons – NIHL 1 North
Dumfries Ice Rink (Dumfries Ice Bowl)
Dumfries ice rink (known as the Dumfries Ice Bowl) is just a few minutes walk from Dumfries town centre. It is a bright, clean rink with a modern feel you rarely find in the UK. It is an excellent arena for watching ice hockey and has a spectator capacity of around 1,200.
The facility has a dedicated curling rink and a hockey/ice skating rink. The Dumfries Ice Bowl regularly hosts national and international competitions and is a popular venue for world junior ice hockey championships.
- Solway Sharks – NIHL National
Dundee Ice Rink (Dundee Ice Arena)
Dundee Ice Rink (also known as Dundee Ice Arena) is on the northwestern edge of Dundee, around a 10-minute drive from the city centre. It is a bright, comfortable multipurpose facility located at Camperdown Leisure Park.
Dundee Ice Arena is one of the better venues in the UK for watching ice hockey. The rink also doubles as a curling rink and has an active figure skating program.
- Dundee Stars – Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL)
- Dundee Comets – Scottish National League (SNL)
- Dundee Tigers – Scottish National League (SNL)
Gillingham Ice Rink (Planet Ice Gillingham)
Gillingham Ice Rink (also known as Planet Ice Gillingham or the Gillingham Ice Bowl) is on the southeastern side of Gillingham, around a 5-minute drive north from the M2.
The Ice Bowl is an older rink (in need of some care), but with a spectator capacity of around 1,000, it is still a great place to watch an ice hockey game.
- Invicta Dynamos – NIHL 1 South
- Invicta Mustangs – NIHL 2 South
Gosport Ice Rink (Planet Ice Gosport)
Gosport Ice Rink (also known as Planet Ice Gosport) lies on Fareham Road, around a 10-minute drive from the town centre.
It is another older UK rink, which would benefit from some modernization. It is also one of the smallest hockey rinks in the country, with a spectator capacity of around 100.
- Solent Devils – NIHL 1 South
- Solent Devils 2 – NIHL 2 South
Guildford Ice Rink (Spectrum Leisure Complex)
Guildford Ice Rink can be found in the Spectrum Leisure Complex on the northern outskirts of Guildford, just a few minute’s drive from the A3.
The Guildford Spectrum is an attractive multi-purpose facility which includes a swimming pool and a bowling alley. The rink has a capacity of around 2,200, but try to sit at centre ice and as high as possible to ensure a good view.
- Guildford Flames – Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL)
- Guildford Phoenix – NIHL 2 South
Hull Ice Rink (Hull Arena)
Hull Ice Rink (known as Hull Ice Arena) is a skating rink and concert venue close to the city centre. The arena reopened in 2021 after a £1.5 million refurbishment by the city council.
Hull is a large ice rink with an Olympic-sized ice pad and a seating capacity of over 3,000.
- Hull Seahawks – NIHL National
- Hull Jets – NIHL 1 North
- Kingston Sharks – NIHL 2 North
Ice Sheffield (Ice Rink)
The Ice Sheffield rink is northeast of Sheffield city centre, around a 5-minute drive from the M1. The facility has two Olympic-sized ice surfaces and is considered a centre of excellence for figure skating, ice dancing and ice hockey.
However, the rink shouldn’t be confused with the nearby Utilita Arena, a larger stadium that is home to the Sheffield Steelers Elite Ice Hockey League team.
Ice Sheffield’s main arena is an attractive, clean, bright facility with a spectator capacity of around 1,500. It is definitely one of the better arenas in the UK for watching ice hockey, with the added bonus of a good bar.
- Sheffield Steeldogs – NIHL National
- Sheffield Scimitars – NIHL 1 North
- Sheffield Titans – NIHL 2 North
Kilmarnock Ice Rink (Galleon Centre)
Kilmarnock Ice Rink is based at the Galleon Centre, a multi-purpose sports venue in the centre of Kilmarnock. The facilities are too numerous to mention but include a swimming pool, gym, sauna and two bars.
- Kilmarnock Thunder – Scottish National League (SNL)
Kirkcaldy Ice Rink (Fife Ice Arena)
Kirkcaldy Ice Rink, also known as Fife Ice Arena, is located in the Scottish coastal town of Kirkaldy. You will find it around a 5-minute drive northeast of the town centre.
The rink is one of the UK’s older (and colder!) rinks. Fife Ice Arena was built in 1938 and shows signs of age, but it is still well-used by the local community. It is one of the larger UK arenas with a spectator capacity of approximately 3,500.
- Fife Flyers – Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL)
- Kirkcaldy Kestrels – Scottish National League (SNL)
Lee Valley Ice Rink (Lee Valley Ice Centre)
Lee Valley Ice Rink (Lee Valley Ice Centre) can be found in northeast London at the northern edge of Hackney. Currently, the old rink is being replaced by a new £30 million facility which will house two Olympic-sized ice rinks.
We don’t have a precise opening date, but the Lee Valley Ice Centre website promises that it will be open “very soon.”
- Lee Valley Lions – NIHL 2 South
Leeds Ice Rink (Planet Ice)
Leeds Ice Rink (also known as Planet Ice) is one of the newest rinks in the UK. It is southwest of the city, just off the M621, on Elland Road.
Planet Ice Leeds is an attractive, bright facility with good seats and lighting. The arena has a spectator capacity of 1,800 and a standing capacity of around 200.
- Leeds Knights – NIHL National
Milton Keynes Ice Rink (Planet Ice)
Milton Keynes Ice Rink (also known as Planet Ice Milton Keynes) is a medium-sized rink within walking distance of the city centre. The rink originally opened in 1990 but has a modern feel thanks to a 2013-2014 refurbishment.
Overall, Milton Keynes is a good rink for watching ice hockey; it has a seating capacity of around 2,200 and is one of the best rink bars in the country!
- Milton Keynes Lightning – NIHL National
- Milton Keynes Thunder – NIHL 1 South
Murrayfield Ice Rink (Edinburgh Ice Rink)
The Murrayfield Ice Rink in Edinburgh reopened in October 2022 after a 2.5-year closure. The rink has seen some refurbishment work over the past year with a renovated cafe, new lighting and sound systems, and improved rink piping.
This large arena has a capacity of almost 4,000 and can be found to the west of Edinburgh city centre, next to the rugby stadium of the same name.
- Edinburgh Capitals – Scottish National League (SNL)
Nottingham Ice Rink (Motorpoint Arena)
The National Ice Centre houses two Nottingham ice rinks in the city centre. Both rinks are Olympic-sized, and the facility is a centre of excellence for ice sports, including ice hockey.
The main rink is known as Motorpoint Arena; it is a multi-purpose arena with a spectator capacity of close to 7,000. It is one of the best UK arenas for watching ice hockey; it is warm (relatively speaking) and has excellent food options.
The second Nottingham ice rink is often referred to as the National Ice Centre rink. It also has an Olympic-sized ice surface, but spectator seating here is very limited.
- Nottingham Panthers – Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL)
- Nottingham Lions – NIHL 1 North
- Nottingham Lions 2 – NIHL 2 North
Oxford Ice Rink (Oxford Ice Arena)
Oxford Ice Rink is around a 10-minute walk from both the city centre and Oxford’s central railway station. The building is easily spotted as it looks like a ship, thanks to two 30-metre masts at each end.
The ice arena is a reasonable size with a spectator capacity of over 1,000. It is also pleasantly light thanks to full glazing at one end of the building, which lets in plenty of natural light.
- Oxford City Stars – NIHL 1 South
- Oxford Rising Stars – NIHL 2 South
Peterborough Ice Rink (Planet Ice)
Peterborough Ice Rink (also known as Planet Ice Peterborough) is on the northwestern edge of Peterborough, just a few minutes off the A47.
This is an older arena, and the rink area would benefit from modernization, including improved lighting. However, it does have a capacity of around 1,500 and a decent bar.
- Peterborough Phantoms – NIHL National
- Peterborough Phantoms 2 – NIHL 2 South
Romford Ice Rink (Sapphire Ice & Leisure)
Romford Ice Rink is in the Sapphire Ice and Leisure Centre, close to the centre of Romford. It is a new multipurpose facility which includes a rink, a swimming pool and a gym.
The facility opened in 2018, and the rink area is modern and bright, with a spectator capacity of close to 1,000.
- Raiders Ice Hockey Club – NIHL National
- Romford Buccaneers – NIHL 1 South
Sheffield Ice Rink (Utilita Arena)
This Sheffield Ice Rink (known as Utilita Arena) is a multi-purpose arena near Meadowhall, northeast of Sheffield city centre. The arena is home to the Sheffield Steelers Elite Ice Hockey League team and is a popular concert venue for big-name acts.
With a spectator capacity of over 8,000, the Utilita Arena is one of the largest ice venues in the country, coming second only to the SSE Arena in Belfast. The arena is comfortable, with great views of the rink and one of the best match-night atmospheres in the UK.
This rink shouldn’t be confused with the nearby Ice Sheffield, a smaller arena where the Sheffield Steeldogs, Sheffield Scimitars and Sheffield Titans ice hockey teams play.
- Sheffield Steelers – Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL)
Slough Ice Rink (Slough Ice Arena)
Slough Ice Rink (Slough Ice Arena) is west of the town centre, just a few minutes from junction 6 of the M4. It is an older rink but was refurbished around four years ago.
The rink has a capacity of around 1,000 and is home to the Bracknell IHC team. The team (previously known as the Bracknell Bees) transferred to Slough in 2020 when the Bracknell ice rink was forced to close due to financial difficulties.
- Bees Ice Hockey Club – NIHL National
- Slough Jets – NIHL 1 South
Solihull Ice Rink (Planet Ice Solihull)
Solihull ice rink is around a 15-minute drive north of Solihull town centre. The rink is part of the Planet Ice chain; it is an older UK rink and desperately needs an upgrade. That said, we have always found the staff there very friendly.
The rink offers a wide range of ice-related activities, including public skating, figure skating, ice dancing, speed skating and (of course) ice hockey.
- Solihull Barons – NIHL 1 North
Streatham Ice Rink (Streatham Ice And Leisure Centre)
Streatham ice rink is in the Streatham Ice and Leisure Centre just south of Streatham town centre. It is a reasonably new (by UK standards) multipurpose facility which opened in 2013. It is one of the nicest ice rinks in the UK.
- Streatham IHC – NIHL 1 South
- Streatham Black Hawks – NIHL 2 South
Sutton Ice Rink (Lammas Leisure Centre)
Sutton Ice Rink is in the multi-purpose Lammas Leisure Centre at Sutton-in-Ashfield. The centre was built in 2008 and, as well as a rink, there is a pool, gym and fitness studio.
Sutton Ice Rink has a clean, modern feel. However, it is too small for adult hockey games. This means that the Sutton Sting of the NIHL 2 North league travels to Ice Sheffield for their home fixtures.
- Sutton Sting – NIHL 2 North
Swindon Ice Rink (Link Centre)
Swindon ice rink is in Swindon’s Link Centre. It is west of Swindon town centre, around a 5-minute drive from junction 16 of the M4. This multipurpose facility has an excellent gym, a pool, a trampoline and a play park.
The ice arena has a seating capacity of around 1,000 and standing space for many more. The Swindon Wildcats ice hockey games are very popular, seating can sell out, and spectators sometimes stand 2-3 deep around the rink.
- Swindon Wildcats – NIHL National
- Swindon Wildcats 2 – NIHL 2 South
Telford Ice Rink
Telford Ice Rink is in Telford town centre, just a few minute’s drive from the M54. It is part of the Southwater leisure development and on the edge of Telford Town Park.
Telford Ice Rink is an older rink that was refurbished in 2012. The arena has seating for around 1700; it is a great rink for spectators, and Telford Tigers games are very well attended.
- Telford Tigers – NIHL National
- Telford Tigers 2 – NIHL 2 North
Whitley Bay Ice Rink
Whitley Bay Ice Rink is around a 5-minute drive southwest of the town centre. It was built in 1955 and could be England’s oldest rink.
The rink is known to be old, run-down, cold and damp. The reputation is probably deserved, but on the positive side, it is a decent-sized rink with a spectator capacity of around 3,200.
- Whitley Warriors – NIHL 1 North
Widnes Ice Rink (Planet Ice Widnes)
Widnes Ice Rink (also known as Planet Ice Widnes) is one of the UK’s newer ice arenas, built-in 2013. The rink lies just south of Widnes town centre on a multipurpose site with shops and other leisure facilities.
This final rink on our list is part of the Planet Ice chain of ice rinks and has a spectator capacity of around 500.
- Widnes Wild – NIHL 1 North
FAQ – UK Ice Rinks
Does London Have an Ice Skating Rink?
There are several ice rinks in the Greater London area. Streatham Ice Rink can be found to the south of the city centre. To the north of the city are Alexandra Palace Ice Rink (near Muswell Hill) and Lee Valley Ice Rinks (near Hackney). In addition, several outdoor rinks pop up in the city during the winter, for example, at Hyde Park, Hampton Court Palace and Somerset House.
How Do I Play Ice Hockey in the UK?
Your first step is to gain a basic level of ice skating. Most rinks offer skating lessons and have public skating sessions where you can practice. Once you have a basic level of skating, you can join a local ice hockey club. Most hockey clubs run learn-to-play sessions and also have development teams.
Does Manchester Have an Ice Skating Rink?
The closest ice rink to Manchester is in the centre of Altrincham. Planet Ice Altrincham offers public ice skating and is home to several ice-related sports clubs. The rink has a sizeable car park and is conveniently located next to Altrincham railway station.
Is There Ice Hockey in the UK?
The UK has several competitive ice hockey leagues. The Elite Ice Hockey League is the highest-level league in the UK. It is a professional league with one division of 10 teams from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
How Many Players Are on an Ice Hockey Team?
An ice hockey team typically has between 17 and 22 players. However, only six players are allowed on the ice at any time when a game is in play. One of these is the goaltender; the remaining five players are skaters, three of which are forwards and two play defence.
