Organised by the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) in partnership with the International Skating Union (ISU), the conference convened venue operators, engineers, public authorities and sustainability experts between 16–18 March 2026. Their shared objective was clear: to accelerate the transition towards low-carbon, energy-efficient ice sports infrastructure.

Building on the inaugural Berlin edition, the Tampere gathering reinforced a growing consensus across the sector: the long-term viability of ice sports is now directly linked to how arenas are designed, powered and managed. As the IIHF noted, rising operational costs and environmental responsibilities are forcing a fundamental rethink of traditional ice rink models.

Jae-Youl Kim, President of the ISU, captured both the urgency and opportunity of the moment:

“It’s our responsibility to work towards the development of sustainable ice rinks to ensure a brighter, more durable future for skating. Collaboration… and knowledge-sharing with technical experts is key for us to make a meaningful difference together.”

His message reflects a broader shift across international federations, where sustainability is no longer a peripheral concern but a core strategic priority.

A City as a Case Study

Tampere itself provided a compelling demonstration of what this transition can look like in practice. Widely regarded as the home of Finnish ice hockey, the city is targeting carbon neutrality by 2030 and has embedded sustainability at the heart of its urban and sporting infrastructure.

At the centre of this ambition is Nokia Arena, opened in 2021 and located in the heart of the city. Its central location has significantly reduced transport-related emissions, while delivering world-class facilities for athletes and fans alike.

Mayor Ilmari Nurminen underlined this integrated approach: “Tampere is known as the Home of Finnish Ice Hockey… sustainability is at the heart of everything we do.”

For host cities and event organisers alike, the message is clear: arena sustainability is no longer just about energy efficiency inside the building—it is about how venues connect to wider urban systems, transport networks and community use.

From Energy Transition to System Transformation

While the conference addressed immediate technical challenges, its broader ambition was to move beyond incremental change towards systemic transformation.

A key milestone was the launch of the Sustainable Ice Rinks Alliance (SIRA), a new collaborative platform designed to bring together sports organisations, venues, athletes and solution providers. Its goal is to accelerate innovation, knowledge-sharing and investment across the sector.

As outlined during the conference, SIRA will focus on tackling core challenges including carbon reduction, energy efficiency, governance and biodiversity, while supporting the development of resilient and future-ready ice infrastructure.

Anne-Cécile Turner, sustainability expert and co-founder of Bloom-Up, emphasised the importance of cross-sector collaboration: “Innovation and collaboration can accelerate the transition towards more climate-aligned facilities.”

Her intervention highlighted a critical shift in thinking: from reducing harm to creating arenas that actively contribute to the sustainability of the cities and communities they serve.

The Technology Behind the Transition

At the technical core of the conference was a clear focus on how to deliver this transition in practice. Delegates explored a range of solutions aimed at reducing emissions while improving operational efficiency.

Key themes included:

• Heat recovery systems, capturing excess energy from ice-making processes to heat adjacent buildings or local infrastructure
• Data-driven energy management, enabling operators to optimise usage across peak and off-peak periods
• Retrofitting existing arenas, recognising that much of the sector’s carbon footprint lies in ageing infrastructure

These discussions reflect a growing recognition that the pathway to net zero will depend as much on upgrading existing facilities as on building new ones.

Luc Tardif, President of the IIHF, reinforced this point: “The future of ice sports depends on our ability to innovate responsibly… collaboration is the driving force behind meaningful and lasting change.”

A Defining Moment for Ice Sports

What emerged from Tampere is a sector at a pivotal moment. Ice sports, perhaps more than any other, are directly exposed to the impacts of climate change—yet they are also uniquely positioned to lead in energy innovation.

The challenge now is one of delivery: turning collaboration into implementation, and ambition into measurable outcomes.

The “New Energy for Arenas” conference made one thing clear: the future of ice sports will not be secured on the ice alone, but in the infrastructure that supports it.