In 2026, ice skating in Liverpool is centered around two primary seasonal venues: the Liverpool Winter Festival at the Pier Head and the “IceBox” at BOXPARK Liverpool, alongside the year-round Planet Ice facility in nearby Widnes. The Liverpool Winter Festival, which runs through January 5, 2026, features a massive 600-square-meter real ice rink on the iconic waterfront, while BOXPARK’s IceBox in the Baltic Triangle offers covered skating until January 11, 2026. For those seeking professional lessons or year-round access, Planet Ice Widnes serves as the regional hub for figure skating and ice hockey. This guide provides everything you need to know about locations, pricing, and technical details for the 2026 skating season.
Seasonal Rinks: Winter 2025/2026
Liverpool’s seasonal rinks are the highlight of the winter calendar, offering atmospheric skating with city-center convenience.
Liverpool Winter Festival (Pier Head)
Located at the historic Pier Head (L3 1DP), this festival transformed the waterfront into a festive village from late 2025 through January 5, 2026. The rink itself is a 600sqm real ice installation, offering one-hour sessions with prices starting from £9.99. It is particularly famous for its backdrop of the Three Graces and the 65-meter Star Flyer ride nearby.
IceBox at BOXPARK Liverpool
Situated in the vibrant Baltic Triangle (L8 5XJ), the IceBox is a covered rink that remains open daily until Sunday, January 11, 2026. Sessions last 45 minutes and are priced at £10 for adults and £8 for children. A unique feature of this venue is the “Kids Skate Free” promotion throughout January, where up to two children can skate for free with every paying adult.
Year-Round Facilities: Planet Ice Widnes
While central Liverpool hosts temporary winter rinks, Planet Ice Widnes is the permanent home for ice sports in the Merseyside region.
Public Sessions and Discos
Planet Ice Widnes is open 365 days a year and offers a variety of sessions including Public Skate, After School Skate, and Sub Zero Discos. Standard family tickets are typically priced around £54, but holders of the “Ice Card” membership (£19.99/year) receive a £2.40 discount on every public session. The rink is a full-size Olympic-standard facility, making it ideal for those who find seasonal pop-up rinks too crowded for serious practice.
Lessons and Development
For those looking to move beyond the “penguin aids,” Planet Ice offers the Skate Excellence program. Courses typically run in six-week blocks, with prices starting from approximately £66 for members. These lessons cover everything from basic balance to advanced figure skating and ice hockey fundamentals, taught by NISA-accredited coaches.
Practical Information and Planning
Navigating Liverpool’s skating scene requires a bit of foresight, especially regarding transport and equipment.
- Skate Hire: Admission at all Liverpool rinks includes skate hire. Smallest child sizes usually start at a junior size 7, and “bob skates” (double blades) are often available for toddlers at the IceBox.
- What to Wear: Thick socks are essential; many skaters find that going up one size in rental skates provides the best comfort. Waterproof trousers are highly recommended for beginners.
Booking: Online booking is strictly advised for weekend sessions at the Pier Head and BOXPARK. Skate aids (bears or penguins) are limited—IceBox only has 9 available per timeslot—so these should be reserved at the time of ticket purchase. - Transport: For the Pier Head, use James Street or Moorfields stations. For BOXPARK, the venue is a 15-minute walk from Liverpool Central. Planet Ice Widnes is best reached via the M57 or by train to Widnes station.
Ice Hockey in Merseyside: The Widnes Wild
The Widnes Wild, based at Planet Ice Widnes, are the premier ice hockey team serving the Liverpool and Merseyside area. As of the 2025/2026 season, the club continues to be a dominant force in the NIHL (National Ice Hockey League) North 1.
Team Legacy and 2026 Roster
Founded in 2013, the Wild have built a reputation for developing local talent and maintaining a fiercely loyal fanbase known as the “Wild One.” In the 2025/2026 season, the team is led by player-coach Thomas Jackson and captain Andrew Hopkins. The roster features a blend of seasoned veterans and “Junior Wild” graduates, playing in their iconic black, gold, and white colors. Match nights at the 600-capacity Silver Blades arena are a staple of Merseyside sports culture, known for their high-intensity atmosphere and family-friendly entertainment.
The Deeside Dragons Connection
Just across the border in Queensferry, the Deeside Dragons (sponsored in 2026 as Steel 4 Structures Dragons) provide a local rivalry that defines the region’s hockey scene. Both teams compete in the NIHL Division 1 North, frequently clashing in high-stakes “Derby” matches. The Dragons, who recently returned to their home ice after the arena served as a vaccination center, have seen record-breaking attendance in 2026, further cementing the popularity of the sport in the Northwest.
Figure Skating and Training Pathways
For those inspired by Dancing on Ice, Liverpool and its surroundings offer a clear professional pathway from beginner to competitive skater.
Skate UK: The Gold Standard
In 2026, all major rinks in the region, including Planet Ice Widnes, follow the Skate UK curriculum. This is the official “Learn to Skate” program of British Ice Skating, divided into eight progressive levels.
- Levels 1-3: Focus on basic balance, forward skating, and “lemons.”
- Levels 4-8: Introduce backward skating, crossovers, and basic spins.
- The Star Program: After Level 8, skaters move into Bronze, Silver, and Gold “Star” levels, which specialize in Singles, Pairs, or Ice Dance.
Local Clubs and “Patch” Ice
Advanced skaters in Liverpool often join the Widnes Ice Skating Club or travel to the Altrincham-based clubs. These organizations provide access to “Patch Ice”—dedicated early-morning sessions for private 1-to-1 coaching. In these sessions, the ice is not open to the public, allowing skaters to practice complex jumps and footwork sequences safely. By 2026, Merseyside has seen a 15% increase in youth participation in competitive figure skating, driven by the success of local development academies.
The Technology of Modern Rinks
The 2026 skating experience is powered by significant technological advancements that ensure consistent ice quality regardless of the weather.
Advanced CO2 Cooling Systems
Modern rinks like Planet Ice Widnes have transitioned to transcritical CO2 refrigeration. This eco-friendly technology is more efficient than older ammonia-based systems, providing a “faster” ice surface (harder and smoother) that is preferred by hockey players. For seasonal rinks like the Otterspool Adventure installation, modular aluminum piping grids allow for real-ice surfaces to be maintained even in unseasonably warm Liverpool winters.
Digital Performance Tracking
New for 2026, some elite training sessions in the region now utilize wearable motion-tracking sensors. These devices, often clipped to a skater’s boot, provide real-time data on jump height, rotation speed, and edge pressure, which coaches then analyze via tablets to provide instant technical feedback.
FAQs
What league do the Widnes Wild play in?
The Widnes Wild currently compete in the NIHL (National Ice Hockey League) Division 1 North.
Can I watch ice hockey matches in Liverpool?
While there is no rink in the city center, Planet Ice Widnes (15-20 mins away) hosts matches most weekends during the season.
How do I start figure skating professionally?
Begin with a Skate UK Level 1-8 course at a permanent rink, then progress to the Star levels and seek a private British Ice Skating accredited coach.
What is “Patch Ice”?
Patch ice refers to dedicated training sessions for figure skaters and coaches only, usually held in the early mornings before the rink opens to the public.
Who are the rivals of the Widnes Wild?
Their primary local rivals are the Deeside Dragons and the Blackburn Hawks.
How much are ice hockey tickets in 2026?
Typical match-night tickets for the Widnes Wild cost around £12 for adults and £8 for children, with family discounts available.
Are there inclusive skating sessions?
Yes, Planet Ice and the 2026 seasonal rinks offer “Sub Zero” or sensory-friendly sessions with reduced lighting and noise for neurodivergent skaters.
What is the “Skate Excellence” program?
It is a structured coaching methodology used at Planet Ice rinks to transition beginners into specialized ice sports like hockey or figure skating.
Do I need my own skates for lessons?
No, you can hire skates for your lessons, though most coaches recommend buying your own once you reach Skate UK Level 4 for better ankle support.
How can I join a local ice hockey team?
The Widnes Junior Wild academy recruits players from age 5+; adults can join “Rec” (recreational) teams that practice on weekday evenings.
Where can I go ice skating in Liverpool in January 2026?
You can skate at IceBox BOXPARK (until Jan 11), the Winter Festival Pier Head (until Jan 5), or Planet Ice Widnes (year-round).
How much does ice skating cost in Liverpool?
Prices range from £8 to £12.95 for children and £10 to £13.50 for adults, depending on the venue and date.
Are there any free skating offers?
Yes, BOXPARK Liverpool offers “Kids Skate Free” in January 2026 (up to 2 children per paying adult).
Do I need to bring my own skates?
No, skate hire is included in the ticket price at all major Liverpool locations.
Is the ice real or synthetic? Both the Pier Head and Otterspool Adventure use real ice, while some smaller suburban pop-ups may use synthetic “realistic” alternatives.
Can I book skating lessons in Liverpool?
Permanent lessons are available at Planet Ice Widnes; private tutors can also be found through platforms like Superprof for roughly £28/hour.
What is the minimum age for skating?
Most rinks, including the IceBox, have a minimum age of 3 years. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
Are there skating aids for children?
Yes, “Penguin” and “Bear” aids are available for hire, typically costing between £5 and £6.50 per session.
Is there parking near the Pier Head rink?
Yes, there are several multi-story car parks nearby, though public transport to James Street is often faster during the festival season.
Can I wear my own skates?
Yes, you are welcome to bring your own skates, but they must be in good condition and will be checked for safety by rink marshals.
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