Ice Sheffield is one of the easiest big rinks in the UK to get your head around. It’s right off the M1, well set up for events, and has a proper hockey feel to it — the kind of place where kids hop off the tram with skates over their shoulders like it’s just part of everyday life.
It’s a popular venue for development events like the EIH Showcase, and while it can get busy, it rarely feels unmanageable once you know how it works.
The main thing to be aware of right now is parking, which is in the middle of some big changes.
Here’s how to plan your visit.
Parking
Parking at Ice Sheffield is currently a bit of a moving target. Charges have recently been announced, and there’s still a lot of uncertainty around how this will apply to players, training sessions and events.
What we do know is that prices are set to go from zero to significantly higher than at other rinks if you’re there for more than two and a half hours, and this has caused a fair bit of discussion among hockey families. There are noises to suggest there could be further concessions for training and events but nothing concrete has been confirmed yet.
If you’re heading here for an event, it’s worth checking the latest guidance from your team or event organisers before you travel.
We’ll keep this guide updated as things become clearer — so do check back for the latest information.
Getting There
Getting to Ice Sheffield is about as straightforward as it gets — it’s right off the M1 and well signposted.
- Once you’re off the M1, all you have to do is take the Meadowhall exit off the roundabout and follow your way down the road. It really is that simple.
- You’ll pass a few notable places as you go – Meadowhall shopping centre; Ikea; the Utilita areas; and the Centertainment complex. Keep going past all of these and you’ll get to Ice Sheffield on your left.
- The tram can be a neat alternative if you don’t mind carrying the kit – the valley stop is at the end of the big field to the back of the venue.
- Just watch out for events. If there’s something major on at the Utilita, what should be a very short drive will become an agonising crawl that runs the risk of having the send the dreaded “not sure we’ll make it on time” text to your coach or manager.
Inside the Rink
- The first thing to note about Ice Sheffield is that it has two pads – the Bauer Arena at one end, and another ice pad just behind reception as you enter. Check which one your kids will be using before you settle down!
- Both pads are just fine but seating is much more plentiful and comfortable in the Bauer Arena. It’s also warm for an ice rink – don’t stress if you forget your layers, you’ll be just fine.
- Ice Sheffield has a massive concourse and plenty of space to wait around as well as some decent outside space if the weather’s good.
- It’s not a real CRC rink guide without a toilet tip and Ice Sheffield is no different. There are some downstairs loos between the two ice pads, and some upstairs ones accessed through the back of the cafe bar or the Bauer Arena. Trust us on this, use the upstairs ones.
- There’s also a reasonably sized Willie’s store tucked just inside the Bauer Arena which can be helpful for anything from lifesaving (or at least game saving) shin guards to a useful source of extra leg tape since you’re there.
Coffee & Food
Food and drink options here are solid — and you’ve got some very good alternatives just minutes away.
- As mentioned earlier, there’s a cafe bar on the first floor of the venue with a reasonable range of drinks and food.
- There’s also a more snack bar style open downstairs for rinkside grabs
- Ice Sheffield is blessed for alternative options that are very convenient – you can’t really go wrong with Meadowhall. It’s on the way, it has the usual chains you’d expect in a large shopping centre; and best of all it has a food court that means the picky in the family can be satisfied without you all having to follow their vibe.
- The trump card for cheap and decent food though is the Ikea foodhall. It’s such good value and the range is really decent. Plus, who doesn’t those mini tray-trolley things you can stack everyone’s food up on?!
What Can Catch You Out
For all its strengths, there are a few things here that can catch you out if you’re not expecting them:
- At the moment, the biggest trap here is the parking – because there’s a lot of uncertainty. For now, it’s a case of taking it game by game, event by event. Keep checking and we’ll update when the situation’s clearer.
- The two pads. We’ve seen people ducking into one side a bit late more than once cause they’d been on the other side wondering where everyone had got to!
- The size of it. It makes sense – Sheffield is SUCH a hockey place – but can still surprise you. The good thing though is that is still works – everything is nicely spread out and you’ll rarely feel like it’s *too* busy.
- The changing rooms are all located through one set of double doors which – if you’re not DBS checked by your kids’ team – you’re not going through. All good but do be mindful that it means the end of games can be a bit chaotic – especially for events with multiple teams, when you end up with lots and lots of families all huddled round waiting for their kid to emerge.
Our Honest Take
It’s really hard not to like Ice Sheffield. It’s one of the better-run, easier-to-navigate big rinks in the UK — and once the parking situation settles, it’ll be hard to fault.
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