Hockey Rink Dimensions, Diagrams, Game Time: NHL & International

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There are typically two different standards for ice hockey rink dimensions and size. The North American rink size is also the standard for the NHL. The other most common rink size is the European-size rink or International rink.

Let’s look at some essential measurements and distances used in hockey.

Hockey Rink Size

The National Hockey League (NHL) rink’s ice surface is 200 feet long and 85 feet wide, while the International Rink’s is 197 feet long and 98.4 feet wide.

An international hockey rink is about the same length but considerably more expansive than an NHL rink. More significant ice changes the style of play. It provides a more wide-open play style with more space and time. The pace of play tends to be slower, and the game turns to puck possession. Still, a shooter’s angles are not as good when forced wide.

As you can see, the blue lines are 50 feet apart or 25 feet from the red line.

NHL Hockey Rink Dimensions Diagram

NHL rink sizing differs from European sizing. But what’s the reason for the differences? The difference in size between an American rink and a European rink is due to their width. In North America, most hockey players play on a standard, NHL size rink. An NHL hockey rink is 200 feet long and 85 feet wide. A European rink is a standard 60 meters by 30 meters or 197 feet by 98.5 feet.

A line pass going from a player behind one blue line to a player on the far side of the other blue line would travel over 50 feet.

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International Hockey Rink Diagram

International hockey rink dimensions diagram

The sides of the rink for International Hockey are 98.4 feet apart. The length is 197 feet. These sizes are designated by the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF).

What is the Olympic Ice Arena Size?

The Olympic-sized arena ice is generally 60 meters by 30 meters – the same 197 feet by 98.4 feet as International rinks. Olympic Ice size allows for a more wide-open game than played in the NHL. Winter Olympic and International Competitions play on bigger rink sizes than NHL games.

What are a Hockey Arena’s Zones?

The blue lines on a hockey rink divide it into three zones. The middle zone is the neutral zone or center ice. The other two zones on each side of the neutral zone are end zones but are even more referred to by the competing teams’ names, e.g., “Into the Bruins’ zone.”

The end zone in which a team attempts to score a goal is the offensive zone or the attacking zone. A hockey puck must completely cross the blue line to be considered in an end zone. At that point, the blue line is considered part of that zone.

The defending zone is the end zone that a team is trying to defend. It is called the defensive zone.

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What are Face-off Spots and Face-off Circles?

In total, there are nine faceoff spots on a hockey rink. All faceoffs during a hockey game occur at these locations on the rink. There are two spots on each team’s defensive ends and one in the center of the ice. And there are two at the end of each neutral zone.

The center faceoff spot and circle are blue, while all the other faceoff circles are red. The center faceoff spot is 30 feet in diameter and has an outline 2 inches thick.

How long is a Hockey Rink?

A hockey rink is 200 feet long for a North American or NHL rink. The International rink is slightly shorter, at 197 feet (or 60 meters).

What is the Outdoor or Backyard Hockey Rink Size?

The outdoor rink can be any size (usually determined by available space), but it is typically much smaller than the professional rink. One standard size for young skaters is 46 feet long by 20 feet wide. An 88 by-44-foot rink is suitable for older kids and teens.

See How Long Is A Hockey Game?

Where is the Red Line?

The red line divides the rink in two. It splits the ice into two sections and is used to determine whether icing has occurred. It is also the location for the faceoff held at the start of each period or when a goal is scored.

Famous Hockey Rinks

1.) Montreal Forum – The Canadians won the NHL title 22 times while playing their home games at the Montreal Forum. Some greats who played there include Rocket Richard, Guy Lafleur, and Ken Dryden.

2.) Maple Leaf Gardens—The Toronto Maple Leafs played here for home games from 1931 to 1999. This arena broadcasts more “Hockey Night in Canada” games than any other in the NHL.

3.) The Boston Garden—The Bruins called this arena home from 1928 through 1995. While shorter than the regulation size, it was an intimate setting to watch a game. Bobby Orr and Phil Esposito played here.

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How Big Is a Hockey Rink?

How Big is a Roller Hockey Rink?

Although the size of an inline skate or roller hockey rink can vary, it is usually 185 feet long by 85 feet wide.

What Size is a Knee Hockey Rink?

Knee hockey rinks measure about 20 feet long by 14 feet wide. Or, just play in the available space in your basement.

Hockey Goal Dimensions

The regulation NHL goal is 6 feet wide by 4 feet high, and the net extends 40 inches from front to back.

Hockey Board Dimensions

The walls or boards encircle the rink stand between 40 and 48 inches tall.

How Big is the Hockey Goal Crease?

The crease or goal crease is the area directly before the nets. A red border with a blue interior marks it. Two straight lines extend 4.5 feet perpendicularly from the goal line, one foot outside each goal post. A 6-foot radial line connects them. The lines are 2 inches thick.

Offensive players are not permitted to enter the area unless they have possession of the puck. This is to protect the goalie.

Where are the Penalty Boxes?

Team benches do not feature glass, so players can quickly jump in and out. On the other side of the team benches are three small boxes with three small benches. The center box contains the scorer’s table. Each team’s penalty box is on either side of the scorer’s table. These three boxes are protected by glass.

Hockey Puck Size

The black, vulcanized rubber disk used in hockey is typically 1 inch thick and 3 inches in diameter. The weight can vary between 5.5 and 6 ounces.

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Game Time

A professional hockey game consists of three periods, each lasting 20 minutes. The total game time is 60 minutes. Teams switch sides after each period and overtime.

High school and youth hockey game times are sometimes shorter, with three 17-minute periods or less.

See What is the Frozen Four in College Hockey?

FAQs about Hockey

When watching a hockey game, questions might arise beyond the game’s strategies, tactics, and rules. We’re here to help.

How do ice rinks work?

Typically, cold concrete is used to make ice in a multi-stage process. Metal pipes are placed inside the concrete slab under the ice. A refrigeration plant uses freezing-cold glycol that runs through the pipes, causing the concrete to drop below the freezing mark. Thin layers of ice are added to build a smooth surface ideal for skating.

How do you apply lines to the ice of a hockey rink?

The ice builds up in stages to reach a total thickness of .75. The first layer is about a half-inch thick. At this point, lines and other markings are painted on the ice—painted on. The rink is then flooded and frozen again to reach the final thickness. The lines, logos, and markings show through and remain protected by the last layer of ice.

How thick is hockey ice?

The ice on a professional ice rink is about .75 inches thick.

What is a Zamboni?

A Zamboni is an ice-resurfacing machine that you’ll see run between periods at hockey games. Named after its inventor, Frank J. Zamboni of Philadelphia, it’s become an icon of modern hockey. While it’s a trademarked name, the term is sometimes used generically, if incorrectly, to refer to any ice resurfacing machine.

A Zamboni washes a rink’s ice, shaves it, and leaves a thin layer of water to freeze over and smooth out the surface. It’s mesmerizing to watch; what kid at a hockey game doesn’t want to drive one of these bad boys?

Why is a hockey jersey sometimes called a “sweater”?

In the sport’s early days, players wore sweaters, unlike the thin jersey material of today.

When was the first goalie mask used?

In 1927, Clint Benedict was the first goalie to wear a mask to protect his face. A mask would not be used again until 1959 when Jaques Plante of the Montreal Canadiens used one after taking a shot to the head with a puck.

Hockey Fun Facts

The game has a rich history. Did you know these fun hockey facts?

Hockey Pucks

1.) The fastest hockey puck shot went 110 miles per hour. Alexander Ryazantsev shot it.

2.) Most NHL games use about a dozen pucks.

3.) Sherwood Hockey of Canada makes the official NHL puck.

4.) Officials freeze hockey pucks before the game. A frozen puck moves faster and eliminates some bouncing.

5.) A “squid” is the name for the puck in underwater hockey.

6.) In some parts, the first hockey pucks used outdoors were mall chunks of frozen cow dung. (I’m guessing most players would want it to be really cold.)

7.) One nickname for a hockey puck is “biscuit.” Players try to put the biscuit in the basket (the net) for a goal.

Hockey Sticks

A.) The Great One, Wayne Gretzky, used an estimated nine sticks per game.

B.) Chicago Blackhawks star Stan Mikita invented the curved hockey stick accidentally when he caught his stick in a door.

C.) Hockey players taped their sticks in the early 1900s to protect the wood from damage, giving them longer lives. Taping is done for a variety of reasons. One gains a better grip on the puck, obtains a better grip for the hands, and records your name on your stick.

Hockey Arena Fun Facts

1.) The Calgary Flames’ Saddledome looks like a saddle. The city of Calgary appreciates rodeos and cattle shows.

2.) Bridgestone Arena, home to the Nashville Predators, has a stage set up for bands to play during intermissions.

3.) The Prudential Center, home of the New Jersey Devils, features one of the biggest jumbotrons in the world.

4.) There’s an outside party deck at the Phoenix Coyotes Jobing.com Arena so fans can enjoy drinks outside.

5.) The Pittsburgh Penguins’ old arena nickname was The Igloo.

I hope you enjoyed this primer on Hockey Rink Dimensions.

By Mike O’Halloran

Founder and Editor, Sports Feel Good Stories

Mike O’Halloran founded Sports Feel Good Stories in 2009. He co-authored four trivia books for kids under the Smart Attack line. Mike coached basketball for 15 seasons, taught tennis, and has written four books on basketball coaching. He has been a contributing writer for USA Football, the youth arm of the NFL. Mike is the founder of the Fantasy Football Team Names Hall of Fame.

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