You know what’s funny? You come all the way to Abu Dhabi, a city famous for its golden deserts and sunny skies, and somehow, you end up craving ice. Maybe it’s the Junior Grand Prix fever or just the idea of gliding across a frozen rink after watching those skaters. Either way, if you’re itching to trade sand for ice, Abu Dhabi ice rink has the perfect spot for you.
So, want to know where to go, how much it costs, and what the vibe’s like? Let’s break it down, from rink timings to post-skate snacks, here’s your quick, friendly guide to Abu Dhabi ice rink.
Why this rink is a great pick
So, you won your event, or you just finished spectating and want to keep the gliding spirit going. The Zayed Sports City Ice Rink is one of the few venues in the desert region where real ice meets real fun.
- The rink is described as the city’s only Olympic-size skating surface in Abu Dhabi.
- It’s open to everyone: recreational skaters, figure skaters, and even ice hockey fans.
- It offers lessons and skate rentals (so you don’t need to bring your own unless you prefer).
- It’s inside a larger sports complex (Zayed Sports City), so there’s more around if you want something after skating (grab a bite, chill out, etc.).
So yeah, it’s not just for the elite. If you feel like skating after your event, it’s a friendly place to go.
What to expect when you go
Here’s a practical breakdown so you’re prepared:
Location & session times
- The rink is located at Zayed Sports City, Airport Road, Al Rawdah, Abu Dhabi.
- Timings vary, but a recent report says: Monday to Thursday roughly 12:00 pm to 9:30 pm; Friday until maybe 11:30pm; weekends starting around 10:15am.
- Ladies-only sessions are available (Friday for example), if that’s relevant for your group.
Cost & rentals
- Public session cost for a daytime slot ~ AED 55 (about) in that ballpark. Evening/weekend could be more (around AED 105).
- Rentals: They provide skates, socks, sand afety gear for beginners too. Don’t forget warm clothes (even though it’s Abu Dhabi). The rink might feel cold.
What the rink is like
- Big enough: ice surface approx 1,860 m², seating ~1,280 people.
- It caters to multiple uses: figure skating, ice hockey, and public sessions. So you might see a mix of beginner fun and pro training.
Tips from us
- Go earlier (a weekday afternoon rather than a peak weekend evening) if you want more space.
- Wear thin layers; the rink is cold enough even if outside is warm.
- Socks matter: they provide them, but bring your own just in case.
- After skating, you can explore nearby eateries in the sports city, a relaxed meal post-skating is a good idea.
- If you’re exhausted from competition, maybe limit it to one 60-90 minute session so you’re still fresh later.
Why does this make sense after the Junior Grand Prix
If you’ve just been watching the Junior Grand Prix event (skaters flying through jumps, spins, etc), while staying in Abu Dhabi, this rink gives you an active yet chill follow-up. You don’t need to go full-on training mode, just glide, have fun, maybe try a spin if you feel up to it. It’s a nice contrat to the competition mindset.
Also, the proximity is good: you’re already in the city, and going to this rink is more convenient than travelling far out of town for something similar. So you can keep momentum but grab some time to unwind off the competition floor.
Final thoughts
If you ask us the best activities to do in abu dhabi, we definetly said ice rink. Yes, it’s absolutely worth carving out 1-2-hours post-event to go ice-skating. You’ll move from spectator (or competitor) mode into a playful frame of mind. You could also invite teammates or friends to join, someone might be just watching, another might want to try skating for the first time.
What do you think? Want me to check for lesson times (if you want to book a short coach-led mini session) or group booking options (if a bunch of you plan to go)? I can pull that in.
