Vindico Arena

Cardiff · Public skating times & prices

Opened in March 2016 to replace the Big Blue Tent; home of the Cardiff Devils

Public skating at Vindico Arena: the next 7 days

Monday 12 October

  • · Public Skate

Tuesday 13 October

  • · Public Skate

Wednesday 14 October

  • · Public Skate

Thursday 15 October

  • · Public Skate

Friday 16 October

  • · Public Skate
  • · Public Skate
  • · Ice Disco (Ages 10+)

Saturday 17 October

  • · Public Skate
  • · Public Skate

Sunday 18 October

  • · Public Skate
  • · Public Skate
Address
Olympian Drive, Cardiff, CF11 0JS
Phone
029 20789630
Website
vindicoarena.com
The arena's angular grey and black cladding seen across the slate-paved forecourt, photographed in February 2016 as Ice Arena Wales. — Vindico Arena
The arena's angular grey and black cladding seen across the slate-paved forecourt, photographed in February 2016 as Ice Arena Wales. Photo: Ben Salter, via Wikimedia Commons · Source · CC BY 2.0
The Olympic-size ice pad from the stands, with the seating bowl and roof trusses above and a few skaters on the ice, February 2016. — Vindico Arena
The Olympic-size ice pad from the stands, with the seating bowl and roof trusses above and a few skaters on the ice, February 2016. Photo: Ben Salter, via Wikimedia Commons · Source · CC BY 2.0

Cardiff's Olympic-size rink since 2016

Vindico Arena opened on 12 March 2016 as Ice Arena Wales. It replaced the Cardiff Arena, a temporary structure nicknamed the Big Blue Tent that was built after the Wales National Ice Rink was demolished in September 2006. The Wigan-based developers Greenbank Partnerships won the contract to build the new arena, and the first game played in it was against the Belfast Giants.

The building has carried three names: it became the Viola Arena in November 2018, went back to Ice Arena Wales in August 2020 when Viola went into liquidation, and took the Vindico name in May 2023 under a five-year naming-rights deal with a south Wales technology company. It opened with two ice rinks and seating for 3,250 spectators, but only one rink is in use now, because Cardiff Council leased the smaller public pad to Sayers.

The Olympic-size ice pad is used for all skating activities, from lessons to ice hockey games. The Cardiff Devils of the Elite Ice Hockey League play their home games here from mid-August to the end of April, and the Cardiff Junior Devils are based in the arena. Cage Warriors has also staged three mixed martial arts events here, starting in September 2018.

Before you head out.

Admission, rentals and arrival details, researched from official rink information. Source checks stay current for 30 days.

Skates & rentals

Skate hire is not included with general admission: choose the ticket with skate hire when booking, or hire skates for an extra charge on the day.

Source checked · · Official source

Booking & check-in

Booking online is recommended: a full session cannot be entered without a booking, and in-house bookings carry a £2 fee per transaction.

Source checked · · Official source

Skating with children

Children under 11 must have an adult on the ice with them, unless they have reached Skate UK Level 5 or above.

Source checked · · Official source

Parking & arrival

Free parking is available behind the arena.

Source checked · · Official source

Accessibility

Wheelchairs are permitted on the ice; the arena recommends contacting them in advance to confirm any additional requirements.

Source checked · · Official source

Amenities

These changing rooms include showers for convenience.

Source checked · · Official source

Rink rules

Children under the age of 11 must have an adult on the ice with them unless they have achieved Skate UK level 5 or above.

Source checked · · Official source

A source check records what the rink published on that date. Session-specific booking details take precedence.