Hockey – Sporticane

Various factors affect the amount of heat or cold on the ice in the ice arena during the game. Because the ice does not have to melt during a game, hockey arenas are kept moderately cool. Some recreational hockey arenas have enclosed sitting areas separated from the ice, which are more aligned with typical indoor temperatures. Hockey stadiums are typically between 25 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The ice is usually kept at temperatures around 25°, and the air inside a stadium may range between 50 and 60 degrees. Generally, the temperature becomes colder as a person's seat nears the ice. Local recreation hockey arenas vary, but all are generally pretty cool. Temperatures are typically 55F (12C) or below in a recreational hockey arena, which is far more relaxed than at a professional facility. If you are going to watch professional hockey, the stadium temperature will be between 60F (15C) to 65F (18C). For a professional hockey arena, the NHLs recommended temperature is 60F (15C) early on, then rises to 65F (18C) when the game progresses. Temperature Recommendations from the NHL The NHL recommends keeping ice between 19 and 21F to stay well frozen. NHL does not want the glaze to rise above 24 degrees at the end of a game. In this situation, to prevent the ice from rising above 24 degrees and becoming soft, an on-ice technical staff would employ a heating/cooling system to monitor overall temperatures and maintain the venue's cooling. To counteract the rise, ice technicians inside the building will use specific pipes and the HVAC system to attempt to keep the temperature under control while cooling down the building. As more and more people attend games, the building temperatures will rise, which causes the ice and temperatures within the building to increase. If you are sitting near the ice, it will be colder, but the rest of the rink will still be hard. Hockey games are colder the closer you are to the ice and generally more excellent if it is cold outside and if there is no heat, or if fewer people are at the rink (body heat is being given off). Always remember that many recreational hockey arenas are cold, and you will need to maintain your body heat high if you sit down for longer than a couple of hours watching the game. The arenas are cold, and having to sit for 1-2 hours watching a game at temperatures under 50F is straightforward to lower your body temperature. Temperatures Vary in the Stadium Keep in mind that temperatures may vary depending on where you are sitting; if you are closer to the ice, which is kept at between 18F to 24F throughout the game, you will get more chills than somebody sitting in the nosebleeds. The arena temperature is mostly slightly cooler than room temperature, and it gets pretty cool when you are closer to the ice. It does not matter as long as you are closer to the ice, but the farther you are away from the ice and the higher you are on the floor, the higher the temperature. Ice temperatures will also experience steady, substantial increases throughout games. The lower temperature of the environment enhances ice conditions, making it easier for hockey players to continue moving with speed throughout a match. The ambient air temperature for most games is about 50-60 degrees Fahrenheit (10-15 degrees Celsius), so this is not the temperature you want to be getting too cold in the few hours you are there. Some games are outdoors, meaning that it will be a lot cooler, and that will depend on the temperature outside. While most hockey games are played indoors, if you go to the Winter Classic or other outdoor games, expect it to be a lot colder. Professional games are about 60-65F (15-18C), while local arenas are even colder. While, recreational rinks are considerably more relaxed, with temperatures usually at 55F (12C) or lower, requiring heavier clothing options. Larger, advanced skating rinks will have heating systems to keep a more stable temperature -- cooling and warming up the rink's interior if the weather is too cold outside. Larger rings with heating systems, and games at higher levels of professionalism, will generally set a temperature similar to that dictated by the NHL. Standards Across the NHL Arenas All NHL arenas are held to these temperature standards to ensure the best ice conditions for players. The NHL recommends arena temperatures be between 58 and 60 degrees upon opening the doors. Minor league hockey games held in local community recreational arenas are often more relaxed, ranging from 50oF to 55oF. Remember, with outdoor games; temperatures do not increase as the attendance increases. At the PNC Arena in Raleigh, as at most arenas with ice, it stays put throughout the hockey season. However, many do not realize that once an ice hockey rink is created early in the season, it stays there for the rest of the season and the playoffs. From the sushi-serving confines of Toronto's Air Canada Centre to the icy metal bleachers of your local arena and the vast array of outdoor venues in between, hockey rinks are places for people of all ages and backgrounds to learn, watch, and cherish the game of hockey. Ice rinks remind us that all it takes is a patch of ice, a stick, a puck, and a net to enjoy the game we all love. While the "Big House" version of the Winter Classic was delayed because of the 2012 NHL lockout, last fall's outdoor games provided arguably the ultimate backdrop. This skating surface will likely never topple. The pair of games were the first known team sports events held in the Pula Arena and the first hockey games in history contained in a stadium environment. If you are playing in a hot weather climate such as Arizona during June (although they never made it to a Stanley Cup Final), the ice technicians would have to crank up the A/C (make it more relaxed) to prevent the ice itself melting.