Switzerland faces ice rink shortages due to rising temperatures

Rising temperatures in Switzerland are creating significant challenges for ice sports. Mild autumn weather has made outdoor ice rinks increasingly difficult to maintain, leading to energy efficiency concerns for operators who must cool the ice despite high ambient temperatures.

This shortage of usable ice surfaces is impacting training opportunities for young athletes in disciplines such as ice hockey and figure skating. While the popularity of ice sports is growing—with licensed hockey players in Switzerland increasing from 26,260 in the 2014/15 season to 32,100 in the 2024/25 season—the available infrastructure is struggling to keep pace with both the growing population and the changing climate.