How cold is an ice hockey rink? Factors that affect the temperature of hockey games

When we go to watch an ice hockey game, we know that the temperature of the building will need to be slightly lower to protect the ice from melting, but how cold is an ice hockey rink?

Well, in this article, Adam Matter will discuss the factors that affect the temperature of hockey games. We will also give you a few tips to keep your body warm while watching a hockey game.

How cold is an ice hockey rink?

The ice, of course, must remain frozen, although the temperature in your section may be rather comfortable. The closer you are to the ice, the colder it will be. The average temperature of the ice will be about 25° degrees and the average temperature of the air for an indoor game will be between 60f (15c) and 65f (18c).

However, the temperature inside the rink will be much colder. The concrete and metal within the rink create an extremely cold environment.

Factors that affect the temperature of hockey games

It’s not uniformly chilly, as the size of the rink and your seating arrangement are both major influences. So that you can plan accordingly for your next game’s temperature, let’s go through the primary factors that influence it.

Indoors or outdoor

The climate outside the rink is one of the major factors that affect how cold it will be inside. The colder the weather, the colder the ice will be. Conversely, if it’s really hot outside and you go to an outdoor game, you’ll likely feel more comfortable on the ice since there won’t be as much air conditioning in play.

Temperature outside and heating

Ice rinks require twice as much energy heating the indoor space as they do cooling and maintaining the ice temperature. Most rinks with rinkside thermostats keep the temperature at 50-60°F (10-15°C). However, if the temperature outside is hotter than that, the rink will cool down to accommodate the increased demand on energy.

Which seat do you take?

Bigger rings with more seats and people will be warmer due to the number of individuals releasing body heat in the rink.

This won’t make much of a difference if you’re close to the ice, but the higher the temperature, the further away from the ice you are and the higher up on the land you are. The bottom level is significantly colder than the upper level. Because hot air rises, you will be further away from the ice.

Air ducts and humans

Another factor that affects the temperature of a hockey game is the airflow through the arena. Exposed ducts and air conditioning units can drop the temperature in an arena by up to 10 degrees F (5C). At the same time, human bodies produce sweat, which can add up to 5-10 degrees F (2-5C) of humidity to the air.

Each rink is unique

Because each ice rink is unique, determining the precise temperature of an ice rink is difficult. Bigger rings with heating systems and more professional games will normally be set at the same temperature as instructed by the NHL.

What methods do technicians use to bring the arena down to a comfortable temperature?

So, what should you wear to a hockey game?

Be toasty on the ice by donning layers of warm, loose clothing. Don’t forget to bundle up head to toe by packing a warm sweater or hoodie, a hat, gloves, and a pair of thick socks. The human head is part of the body that radiates the most heat; therefore, donning a hat is a good strategy for keeping warm.

It’s also important to wear clothes that are breathable, so you don’t get too hot while cheering or playing on the ice. Choose clothes that allow you to move easily and that won’t constrict your movements.

Ice hockey has been identified as a sport with a high risk for concussions. Given the health sequelae associated with the injury, a great deal of attention has been placed on its diagnosis, management and return-to-play protocols.

As cited by: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/

Tips to keep warm at a hockey game

Get warm by wrapping up

Dress in jeans, joggers, or sweatshirts. Remember to bring warm clothing, especially a hat and gloves.

Please bring something warm to drink.

Bring along a thermos of hot tea or coffee to keep your hands toasty in between drinks.

Visit a warm location in advance

Being warm before entering the rink is the greatest way to stay warm during a hockey game. A half-hour break inside a coffee shop or other warm indoor location is recommended.

How does ice hockey change as the game progresses?

The ice’s quality may decline as the temperature inside the arena rises due to a large number of spectators. When this occurs, it is difficult for the players to move the puck around the ice.

To combat this issue, the NHL has implemented cutting-edge air conditioning that focuses on chilling the rink while maintaining a consistent temperature throughout. Yet, even these technologies can malfunction if the arena’s temperature is too high.

What is the average length of a hockey game?

Ice hockey games take 2.5 hours. NHL games contain three 20-minute periods and two 18-minute intermissions. The game lasts one hour. The clock only runs when the puck is in play. If the game is deadlocked, overtime may last five minutes. Shootouts last forever.

Hockey games typically last 2.5 hours. Hence, a 9:00 game should end around 11:30. If regulation ends tied, it can continue. Yet, 15-minute intermissions make high school games shorter. In either case, a warm hockey outfit can keep you comfy for the two-and-a-half-hour game.

FAQs: How cold is an ice hockey rink?

What is the average temperature of NHL ice?

Bruce Tharaldson maintains a temperature of 16 degrees Fahrenheit (-9 degrees Celsius) on the ice for hockey and a temperature of constant around 22 degrees fahrenheit (-5.5 degrees Celsius) for figure skating.

How do they maintain the low temperatures required for ice rinks?

The ice skating surface is kept at the proper temperature by a refrigeration system fed by pipes set into the concrete subfloor. The ice surface should be kept at about four degrees Celsius for optimal ice hockey play.

For what reason don’t ice rinks defrost?

Propylene glycol is at the center of the issue, according to Willy Bietak, president of Bietak Productions. Rinks built by his company can be found at Long Beach’s Pershing Square and next to the Queen Mary. Although being significantly colder than the freezing point of water, according to Beitak, propylene glycol will remain liquid at room temperature.

Why do ice rinks use hot water to melt the ice?

Because of what we’ve all seen in stadiums across the country, the general consensus is that hot water is best for flooding. The reason is, a firmer ice surface can be achieved because heated water has less dissolved oxygen or micro air bubbles.

Conclusion

In conclusion, knowing how cold is an ice hockey rink is necessary for practice knowledge. Thanks for reading! If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact hockeyheritage.org to answer!