Dubai is about to sharpen its edge in winter sports. Opening this September, Emirates Sports Arena will be the city’s first professional ice arena built to National Hockey League (NHL) standards. Located in Dubai Sports City, the AED 20 million facility is designed to support high-level training, tournaments, and public access to ice sports.
Covering 10,000 square metres and offering seating for over 600 spectators, the new venue is part of a broader effort to grow ice hockey, figure skating, and other winter sports in the region. Temperature in the arena will be kept between 16°C and 18°C — lower than other ice rinks in the city — to provide optimal conditions for athletes.
The arena is being developed by Emirates Sports Group, which also operates the adjacent Emirates Sports Hotel. According to Vladimir Burdun, CEO of Emirates Sports and president of the Emirates Ice Hockey League, the project has been three years in the making and is expected to significantly raise the profile of ice sports in the GCC.
Burdun added that discussions are already underway with the UAE Winter Sports Federation to use the arena as a national training base for future international competitions.
When it opens, the arena will host Emirates Ice Hockey League matches, international figure skating events, and a grand launch with NHL players and exhibition games.
In addition to professional use, the rink will be open to the public, offering skate rentals, on-site dining, and a regular schedule of recreational sessions.
The facility also includes designated spaces for female athletes and coaches — a move intended to encourage greater female participation in ice sports. Emirates Sports Arena is supported by key partners including Dubai Sports Council, Dubai Tourism, Dubai Sports City, and Coca-Cola Arena.
With its world-class specifications and year-round programming, the Emirates Sports Arena is set to be a major addition to the city’s evolving sports landscape.
