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 is home to a number of ice hockey teams, including Milton Keynes Lightning of the NIHL National League; it also has one of the best rink bars in the country! It is just one of 41 ice rinks in the UK that are home to competitive ice hockey teams.
Information For Planet Ice Milton Keynes
Milton Keynes Ice Rink Parking
There is plenty of parking near the rink, which is mainly “pay and display.” However, there is a Morrison’s next door where you may be able to park for free if you buy something there. However, avoid parking in the underground car park at Morrisons; we have been advised that this is locked after a certain time in the evening.
Milton Keynes Lightning Ice Hockey Team
MK Lightning is an ice hockey team playing in the UK’s NIHL National League.
The NIHL National is a semi-professional league with eleven teams, ten based in England and one in Scotland. This league is the second highest in the UK, with only the EIHL (Elite Ice Hockey League) playing at a higher level.
NIHL National Teams
| Bees Ice Hockey Club | Raiders Ice Hockey Club |
| Bristol Pitbulls | Sheffield Steeldogs |
| Hull Seahawks | Solway Sharks |
| Leeds Knights | Swindon Wildcats |
| Milton Keynes Lightning | Telford Tigers |
| Peterborough Phantoms |
Usually, the Basingstoke Bison would play in this league, but the team has pulled out of the 2023-2024 season due to rink refurbishments.
The season runs from September to March/April, and the teams will play two (sometimes three) games a week, one home and one away. The most common days for games are Saturday and Sunday, but the team will play some on Fridays or mid-week.
These games include those played in the league and for the Autumn Cup. Most of the cup games are played early in the season.
The league season typically finishes in early April with a playoff weekend where the top 4 teams fight for the league championship.
Milton Keynes Lightning Ice Hockey Team Contacts
| Milton Keynes Lightning | Contacts & Social Media |
|---|---|
| Website | https://www.mk-lightning.co.uk/ |
| info@mk-lightning.co.uk | |
| Phone | — |
| MK Lightning | |
| @MKLightningIHC | |
| @mklightningihc | |
| You Tube | LightningTV |
| HOME GAME TICKETS | Buy Tickets |
Milton Keynes Thunder Ice Hockey Team
Milton Keynes Thunder is an ice hockey team playing in the UK’s NIHL 1 South (Britton) division. The team is based at Planet Ice Milton Keynes.
The amateur NIHL 1 league is the third-highest in the UK, behind the EIHL and NIHL National leagues. Eight teams compete in the southern division (see below), and nine teams in the northern division.
NIHL 1 South (Britton) Teams
| Chelmsford Chieftains | Romford Buccaneers |
| Invicta Dynamos | Slough Jets |
| Milton Keynes Thunder | Solent Devils |
| Oxford City Stars | Streatham IHC |
The teams charge for entry to games, generally £5-£10 for a non-concessionary adult and reduced rates for children and OAPs.
NIHL 1 South teams compete for the regular season, playoff and national titles, as well as the Britton Cup. The regular season runs from September to late March, and the season concludes in mid-April with a final between the northern and southern playoff champions.
How Cold Is Milton Keynes Ice Rink?
If you haven’t been to a hockey game before, you need to know that ice rinks are cold places (not a surprise!). And the closer you are to the ice, the colder you will be. Also, hockey rinks in the UK aren’t heated, so temperatures in the arena drop in line with outside temperatures.
For those with some experience of UK rinks, the temperature of the Milton Keynes ice rink is average for the UK.
Milton Keynes Ice Rink Seating & Away Fan Blocks
MK Lightning tickets give you assigned seating, and the away fans block at Planet Ice Milton Keynes is block 8. Most seats in this arena have a good view. However, some seats have restricted views due to large pillars in the middle of the seating area. These seats are highlighted on the website when you book tickets.
11 Best Ice Rink Activities To Do At Milton Keynes Ice Rink
Watching an ice hockey game is just one of many things to do at Milton Keynes Ice Rink. There is a wide range of ice rink activities on offer, including:
- Public ice skating sessions
- Ice skating lessons
- Show and skate lessons
- Ice hockey lessons
- Join a recreational ice hockey team.
- Join a women’s ice hockey team.
- Ice dancing or figure skating
- Speed skating
- Ice skating birthday parties
- Try an ice disco with music, a DJ and disco lights.
- Watch an ice show.
