Since hockey is played on a sheet of ice it’s just natural that the game is associated with cooler weather. But with modern-day arenas now hosting most games all year long, watching and playing the sport may not be as cold as you might imagine, unless of course you’re playing outdoors.
The average air temperature at an NHL game is between 55 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit (12 to 15 degrees Celsius) while the ice is kept at approximately 18 to 24 degrees Fahrenheit ( -7.7 to -4.4 degrees Celsius). However, smaller rinks can be much colder inside.
How Cold are NHL Arenas?
While the air temperature in the average NHL arena may still seem to be a little on the cool side, things warm up considerably once the body heat from 18,000 fans is taken into consideration. The NHL recommends that all new rinks are kept at 60 degrees Fahrenheit before a game faces off . By the time the contest ends the indoor temperature typically reaches 65 degrees Fahrenheit and the ice temperature may also have risen a couple of degrees. However, the NHL doesn’t want the ice temperature to go above 24 degrees Fahrenheit at any time as it may become soft and sluggish. In some instances, an NHL rink may even have to turn on its air conditioning to keep the rink cool enough at ice level.
How Cold are Smaller Rinks?
Smaller hockey rinks are typically colder than professional arenas since they hold less fans and aren’t as insulated. They also have smaller heating systems if any at all and some of these venues may be as cool as 40 degrees Fahrenheit (4.5 degrees Celsius).
Is it colder the Closer you sit to the Ice Surface?
Yes it’s colder near the ice since the playing surface has to be kept at a specific temperature to make sure the ice stays frozen and hard. This is especially true in smaller rinks and those with fewer spectators emitting body heat. In general, the higher you’re sitting in a hockey rink the warmer you may be since you’re further away from the cold ice surface and also because heat naturally rises. This is especially true in NHL stadiums.
What Should You Wear to an NHL Game?
It’s a good idea to at least wear a jacket or sweater inside of an NHL rink to stay comfortable and it’s recommended that you dress in layers. This makes it easy to take off and put on articles of clothing due to possible temperature fluctuations during a game. Items such as gloves and hats aren’t really necessary but of course it’s totally up to you as some people feel the cold more than others. It’s generally better to be safe rather than sorry so taking more warm clothes may be better than not taking enough.
What Should You Wear to a Kids or Minor Hockey Game?
When attending a minor or kids’ hockey game it’s recommended that you dress for a winter’s day with a coat, gloves, hat, and warm footwear. You may also want to take along a blanket to provide added warmth if the arena is especially on the cool side. If you’d like to make sure you’re not overdressed or underdressed though, feel free to phone the rink you’ll be heading to and ask what the temperature is usually kept at. The temperatures in arenas will vary due to their size and heating options and if you know the specific situation of the rink it will help you to decide what to wear.
6 Tips to Stay Warm at a Hockey Game
These tips are generally aimed at smaller rinks rather than pro-level and NHL arenas.
1. Dress in Layers
As mentioned before, you should really dress in layers so you can take clothing off and put it back on depending on the temperature of the rink and how comfortable you are.
2. Wear Gloves and a Winter Hat
If you’re going to be sitting in an ice-cold arena for an hour or more be sure to wear a warm pair of gloves and a hat. And don’t forget to keep your feet warm with a good pair of socks and/or winter boots.
3. Bring Heat Packs or a Hand Warmer
4. Take a Warm Blanket
Even if you’re decked out in the proper winter clothes it’s still easy to feel the cold when sitting still and watching a hockey game. A blanket or heated blanket is a good idea as it can be placed around your upper body or over your legs to help keep the heat in. Also, most smaller and older rinks are outfitted with hard or wooden seating which can be quite cold. You may also want to take along an extra blanket to sit on or even a small cushion for warmth and comfort.
5. Sip on a Hot Drink
6. Sit with Other Fans
If you sit between or near other spectators you should benefit from their body heat. If you have a choice of sitting in an empty section of the arena or where there are numerous other fans, sit with the fans to help stay warmer.
Can outside temperatures can affect the inside temperatures?
Small-town hockey rinks are often referred to as barns by players and parents and one of the reasons for this is their lack of insulation. With this being the case, these arenas can be greatly affected by outside temperatures. The interiors of these buildings can feel quite uncomfortable on cold and/or windy days. On the other side of the coin, these venues can feel quite warm and humid when the outdoor temperature rises and during the summer.
Are outdoor hockey games cold?
If you’re playing or watching hockey outdoors in Mother Nature you’re basically at the mercy of the weather conditions. However, there are outdoor rinks across the country which typically have heaters inserted at the players benches. I remember playing a couple of seasons of minor hockey in Cambridge, Ontario on a temporary outdoor rink after one of the arena’s burned down. The heaters kept the players warm between shifts but the fans were left to fend for themselves.
Do Hockey Arenas have Heaters for Fans?
All professional North American teams play in large heated arenas but that’s not the case in most smaller rinks for children’s minor hockey. While many of them may have a heated lobby, the seating area in the rink could lack any type of heating at all or may have small heaters installed above the seats every 20 or 30 feet or so. These are typically electric-coil style heaters and while they do a help a little, you may still feel the cold even when they’re on full blast.
The Verdict – Every Hockey Stadium is Different
Every hockey rink will typically feel different when it comes to the indoor temperature even NHL arenas. The factors affecting this are the size of the venue, the heating and cooling system, the insulation, the number of people in it and where you’re sitting. A packed hockey rink will definitely be warmer than an empty arena due to the body heat and this is generally why most NHL games are quite comfortable to watch. However, wearing shorts and a Tee-shirt to a hockey game even in a warm climate city may be a mistake.
It’s recommended you take a sweater or jacket, wear long pants and dress in layers at an NHL game. Meanwhile, you should wear a sweater, coat, gloves, hat and boots at an outdoor location and many older small-town arenas and take a blanket. Also, if you’re still cold at a hockey game, you should venture to a heated lobby or area of the rink between periods to help bring your core temperature back up.
Jamie is the founder of Hockey Response and he is the chief writer/ lead editor. Jamie has been playing hockey for over 20 years. He was the defenseman of the year in NL and has played Jr A level hockey. Jamie has coached several kids hockey camps and he was the assistant coach of the Western Kings.