Ice rink vending keeps skaters, hockey players and cold parents warm with hot drinks, snacks and skating essentials. Rinks are chilly places, sessions start early and finish late, and the cafe isn’t always open when people need a hot chocolate.

This guide covers 7 critical tips for ice rink vending in the UK: what to stock, gloves and skate socks, placement, early and late sessions, hockey matches, Christmas pop-up rinks, payment and the machines we recommend.

What is ice rink vending?

Ice rink vending means vending machines placed in permanent ice rinks, leisure complexes with rinks, ice hockey arenas and seasonal outdoor rinks.

Machines usually sell hot drinks, cold drinks and snacks. Many also sell skating essentials like gloves, skate socks, hand warmers and blister plasters.

Most rinks have a cafe or kiosk, but opening hours rarely match the full rink timetable. Vending covers early training, late sessions and busy changeovers.

Why ice rink vending works

Rinks are cold buildings, and most people stay for a long time. Public sessions often last 90 minutes to two hours, and parents watch from the sidelines for even longer.

Figure skaters and hockey players train early in the morning and late at night, when cafes are closed. Hockey matches bring crowds who want drinks at breaks.

Ice rink vending gives everyone a hot drink or snack whenever they need one. It turns cold waiting time into steady sales.

How big is the ice rink vending market?

Permanent rinks are relatively rare in the UK. Writing in 2026, Chris Kane MP noted that there are fewer than 60 permanent ice rinks across the country, and that they are expensive to run.

That scarcity means each rink serves a wide area, with skaters, clubs and families travelling to use it. Footfall at a busy rink can be high all week.

Add seasonal Christmas rinks at castles, parks and shopping centres, and ice rink vending has a wider audience every winter.

Who uses ice rink vending?

Rinks serve a surprisingly wide mix of people, and each group buys differently.

• Public skaters: families, couples and friends at weekend and evening sessions
• Figure skaters: early-morning and evening training, often with parents waiting
• Ice hockey players: club training, junior teams and adult leagues
• Hockey fans: match-night crowds at arenas
• Parties and schools: birthday groups and school trips
• Lessons: learn-to-skate courses for all ages

Parents of young skaters are some of the most loyal buyers. They sit through lesson after lesson, often several times a week, and a hot drink becomes part of the routine.

Knowing who visits helps you plan ice rink vending stock that sells rather than sits.

Early mornings and late sessions

Figure skating and hockey training often start at 6am or earlier, and some sessions run until 11pm or later. Cafes rarely cover those hours.

That’s where ice rink vending earns its place. A working hot drinks machine at 6am is valued by every parent and coach in the building.

Telemetry helps you make sure machines are stocked and working before the first session of the day.

Hockey matches and events

Ice hockey matches bring crowds of fans, often several hundred or more at bigger rinks. Breaks between periods create short, very intense rushes for drinks.

Machines near spectator seating and concourses catch fans who don’t want to queue at the kiosk. Hot drinks, cold drinks, sweets and crisps sell fastest.

Ask the rink for its match and event calendar. Fill ice rink vending machines before every home game and big event.

7 critical tips for ice rink vending

Use these tips to set up ice rink vending that keeps skaters warm and sales steady.

1. Lead with hot drinks

Hot chocolate, coffee, tea and soup are usually the top sellers in a cold rink.

2. Sell skating essentials

Gloves, skate socks, hand warmers and blister plasters solve common problems fast.

3. Cover early and late sessions

Training often starts before the cafe opens and ends after it closes.

4. Place machines in the warm

Put machines in the foyer, seating areas or changing room corridors, not on the cold rink side.

5. Plan for hockey matches

Matches bring crowds and peaks at breaks. Fill machines before face-off.

6. Go cashless

Card and phone payment keeps queues short during session changeovers.

7. Keep floors dry

Skates, melting ice and spilled drinks make floors slippery. Use mats around machines.

“Parents watching a 6am figure skating lesson don’t need much, just a hot coffee. Ice rink vending is often the only thing open.”

What to stock in ice rink vending machines

Focus on warmth, energy and skating needs. Start with proven sellers and adjust after a month.

Hot and cold drinks

• Hot drinks: hot chocolate, coffee, tea and soup
• Cold drinks: water, sports drinks, juice and soft drinks

Snacks

• Energy snacks: cereal bars, flapjacks and bananas where chilled machines allow
• Treats: sweets, crisps and chocolate
• Healthier options: nuts, popcorn and fruit snacks

Skating essentials

• Gloves: children’s and adult sizes
• Skate socks: thin, long socks for hire skates
• Hand warmers: for parents and spectators
• Blister plasters: for new skaters in hire boots
• Hockey items: tape and laces at club rinks

England plans to ban high-caffeine energy drinks from all vending machines from April 2027, subject to Parliamentary approval. Tea and coffee are exempt, which suits ice rink vending perfectly.

Gloves, socks and skating essentials

Many rinks recommend or require gloves, especially for children, to protect hands from the ice and blades. Visitors often forget them.

Thin, long skate socks help hire boots fit better, feel more comfortable and reduce painful blisters. A machine near the skate hire desk can sell gloves and socks without slowing the queue.

Our custom retail machine suits packaged items like gloves, socks and plasters. These essentials often carry better margins than snacks.

Best placement for ice rink vending

Choose warm, dry, visible spots close to where people wait.

• Foyer and entrance: high footfall before and after sessions
• Skate hire desk: perfect for gloves and socks
• Spectator seating: parents and fans watching from the side
• Changing room corridors: clubs and teams before and after training
• Party rooms: birthday groups and events

Keep machines away from the ice pad, skate-only walkways and fire exits. Our guide to vending machine locations covers wider placement principles.

Machines to consider for ice rink vending

Choose reliable ice rink vending machines that suit cold, busy venues.

Hot drinks

Our premium gourmet coffee machine and Nescafé hot drinks machine serve hot chocolate, coffee and tea all session.

Snack and drink combo

Our white touchscreen combo covers drinks and snacks in one footprint.

Skating essentials

Our custom retail machine sells gloves, socks and plasters.

Outdoor rinks

Our outdoor dual vending station with canopy suits seasonal outdoor rinks.

Christmas pop-up rinks

Every winter, temporary rinks appear at castles, museums, parks and shopping centres. They draw huge crowds for a few weeks.

Outdoor ice rink vending needs weatherproof machines or canopies, a safe power supply and good lighting. Hot drinks, hand warmers and gloves are the best sellers.

Operators often supply machines for the season only. Agree delivery, collection and power with the event organiser well in advance.

Pricing ice rink vending stock

Families watch spending closely after paying for entry and skate hire. Fair prices keep them coming back to the machine.

As a guide, hot drinks often sell for £1.50 to £3, snacks for £1 to £2, gloves for £3 to £6 a pair and skate socks for £2 to £4. Match the rink’s kiosk prices where possible.

Bundles work well, such as gloves and socks together for first-time skaters. A simple “first-timer pack” with gloves, socks and a blister plaster helps nervous beginners and lifts the average sale at the same time.

Is ice rink vending profitable?

Busy rinks with full timetables can deliver steady daily sales. Parents, clubs and hockey fans all buy regularly.

Skating essentials add high-margin sales that most machines never get. Winter brings extra visitors, while summer is often quieter.

Use our vending machine profit calculator to model a site, and read how much vending machines make for realistic benchmarks.

Working with rink operators

Many UK rinks are run by councils, leisure trusts or private operators. Approach the general manager or commercial team first.

Show how ice rink vending covers hours the cafe can’t and adds skating essentials the rink may not stock. Our guides to pitching a vending machine, placement agreements and commission rates help you agree fair terms.

Cold, damp and machine care

Rink buildings are cold and sometimes damp, which affects machines. Condensation can form on glass, and wet floors bring slip risks.

Place machines in heated foyers where possible, lay anti-slip mats in front of them and wipe up any spills or melted ice quickly. Check door seals and electronics for moisture on every visit.

Our guides to vending machine maintenance and cleaning a vending machine cover the routine.

Security and insurance

Rinks are staffed during opening hours and usually have CCTV. Machines should still be anchored and placed in view of staff.

You’ll need public liability insurance, especially in family venues. Our vending machine insurance guide explains the cover you’ll need.

Quick start checklist

• Agree terms and placement with the rink
• Choose warm, dry spots near the foyer, hire desk and seating
• Lead with hot drinks and add snacks
• Stock gloves, skate socks and hand warmers
• Fit card and phone payment with telemetry
• Use anti-slip mats around machines
• Stock up before early sessions, matches and events
• Review sales after a month and adjust the range

Follow this checklist and your ice rink vending setup will keep skaters warm from the first session.

Ice rink vending for clubs and teams

Figure skating and ice hockey clubs use rinks several times a week. Members, coaches and parents become regular, predictable buyers.

Talk to club committees about what members want. Hockey players often buy water, sports drinks and energy bars, while figure skating parents favour coffee and snacks.

Some clubs welcome a share of ice rink vending commission as a small fundraiser. It builds goodwill and encourages members to buy from the machine.

Birthday parties and school trips

Skating parties and school trips bring groups of excited children. Party packages may include food, but extra drinks, sweets and gloves still sell.

Ask the rink for its party bookings and school visit calendar. Restock ice rink vending machines before busy party weekends and term-time trips.

Seasonal patterns

Winter is the busiest season for most rinks. Cold weather, Christmas holidays and Winter Olympics years all drive interest in skating.

Summer can be quieter for public sessions, though most rinks stay busy with clubs, holiday camps, intensive training weeks and lessons. Adjust ice rink vending stock with the seasons, adding more cold drinks in summer and more hot drinks and hand warmers in winter.

Branding and signage

A bright wrap with a winter theme, the rink’s logo or hockey team colours helps machines stand out. Clear signs like “Gloves and socks here” near skate hire guide first-time visitors.

Good signage turns ice rink vending into a service visitors look for, not just a machine in a corner.

Listening to skaters and parents

Rink staff and club coaches hear what visitors ask for every day. Ask them regularly which items people want and which never sell.

A QR code on the machine lets skaters suggest products or report faults. Share simple sales reports with the rink manager every few months to keep your agreement strong.

Running costs of ice rink vending

Hot drinks machines use power to heat water, while chilled drinks machines run compressors. In a cold rink building, chilled machines often work less hard than in a warm office.

Our guide to vending machine electricity costs helps you estimate the bill. Other ice rink vending costs include stock, card fees, insurance and any commission paid to the rink.

Build every cost into your prices from the start, so rising wholesale costs don’t squeeze your margins later.

Healthier choices for young skaters

Skating is a sport, and many parents look for healthier fuel before and after training. Water, milk drinks, cereal bars, fruit snacks and nuts all sell well.

Our healthy vending combo makes it easy to offer better choices alongside treats. Keep allergen labels visible, especially for children’s parties and junior clubs.

Restocking around the timetable

Rinks run tight timetables, with public sessions, lessons, club ice and ice resurfacing breaks. Restock during quieter times so you don’t block busy foyers.

Telemetry shows which lines are running low, so you only visit when needed. Our guide on how to restock a vending machine helps you work quickly.

Getting started

Because there are relatively few permanent rinks, each placement is valuable. Prove your service with reliable machines, quick fault fixes and stock that matches the rink’s visitors.

If you’re new to vending, our guide on how to start a vending machine business covers planning, budgets and choosing your first sites. Ice rink vending pairs well with nearby leisure sites on the same route.

Payment

Most skaters and parents pay by card or phone. Card and phone payment keeps ice rink vending quick during busy session changeovers.

With Irelley, card payments with telemetry cost £10 a month plus 2% per transaction. Our contactless vending machine guide explains how it works.

Common ice rink vending mistakes

The first mistake is skipping hot drinks. In a cold rink, they’re the core of the range.

The second is forgetting gloves and socks, which are easy, high-margin sales.

The third is placing machines on the cold rink side, where few people linger and floors get wet.

The fourth is ignoring early sessions. If ice rink vending machines are empty or switched off at 6am, the most loyal buyers in the building go without.

The fifth is forgetting match nights. Hockey crowds can empty a machine in one break, so fill ice rink vending machines fully before every home game.

Buying from Irelley

Irelley payment plans start with a 25% deposit, then up to 12 months at 0% with no credit check. Start-ups can begin from a 20% deposit.

Browse our vending machines for sale, or contact our team to plan ice rink vending for your venue. We deliver and install free anywhere in the UK, within 24 hours, and every machine comes with a 12-month warranty covering parts and remote support.