An NHL rink is 200 feet long and 85 feet wide. A traditional Olympic rink is wider, at about 200 x 98 feet.

The 2026 Milan Cortina Games added a twist. The ice was shorter than NHL ice. This guide gives you the full chart, the real differences, and quick answers.

Official Hockey Rink Dimensions at a Glance

Here are the official hockey rink dimensions for every major level of play. Sizes are in feet and meters.

Rink type	Length	Width	Approx. area
NHL / North American	200 ft (61 m)	85 ft (25.9 m)	17,000 sq ft (1,580 sq m)
IIHF / traditional Olympic	196.9 ft (60 m)	98.4 ft (30 m)	19,400 sq ft (1,800 sq m)
2026 Milan Cortina Olympics	196.85 ft (60 m)	85.3 ft (26 m)	16,800 sq ft (1,560 sq m)
NCAA college	200 ft	85 ft	17,000 sq ft
High school (NFHS)	200 ft	85 ft	17,000 sq ft

Quick answer: An NHL hockey rink measures 200 by 85 feet. A traditional Olympic rink measures 60 by 30 meters.

The corner radius is about 28 feet (8.5 m) in both systems. The IIHF rulebook allows a width range of 26 to 30 meters. That is why you see more than one “international” size.

The rest of the rink is built the same way everywhere:

• Boards: about 40 to 48 inches high in the NHL, topped with plexiglass.
• Glass: about 8 feet high behind the goals and about 6 feet along the sides on international ice.
• Ice thickness: about 3/4 inch, built in thin sprayed layers.
• Base: a chilled concrete slab with a brine cooling system under it.

Thin ice is harder and faster. That suits a high-speed game.

Just as hockey rinks require precise measurements for proper gameplay, everyday items like mailing envelopes need accurate sizing to ensure a perfect fit. Understanding standard envelope sizes and dimensions helps you choose the right option for letters, invitations, and important documents.

NHL vs. Olympic Rink Size: What’s the Real Difference?

Width is the big difference. Traditional international ice is about 13 feet wider than NHL ice. Length is nearly the same.

That gap changes how the game plays. Here is a simple comparison:

Feature	NHL ice (85 ft wide)	International ice (98 ft wide)
Space	Tight	Open
Style	Physical, board battles	Skating, passing, puck possession
Passing lanes	Fewer	More
Time with the puck	Less	More

Wider ice gives players more room to cycle the puck. It also gives them more ways around a hit.

Olympic rink size has changed over the years. NBC reporting on the 2026 rink gives this history:

• 1998, 2006, 2014: international ice, 60 x 30 m.
• 2010 Vancouver: NHL-size ice, because the arenas already existed.
• 2018 and 2022: a move to NHL-style dimensions.
• 2026 Milan Cortina: 60 x 26 m.

The 2026 rink is about 3 feet shorter than NHL ice. It is also slightly wider, by a hair. It matches the size used at the 2022 Beijing Games.

The IIHF said the difference was small. It added that the size fits the NHL’s own rules for Global Series games.

The goal size never changes. It is 6 feet wide and 4 feet tall on every rink.

Hockey Rink Markings, Zones & Goal Dimensions

Every line on the ice has a set size. Here are the key numbers for NHL rink markings:

Marking	NHL measurement
Center red line	Splits the rink at the 100 ft mark
Blue lines	About 75 ft from each end board
Neutral zone	50 ft wide
Goal line	11 ft from the end boards
Face-off circles	15 ft radius (30 ft across)
Goal crease	6 ft from the goal line
Goal net	6 ft wide, 4 ft tall, about 40 in deep

The two blue lines split the ice into three parts: the defensive zone, the neutral zone, and the offensive zone.

The goal line on international ice sits about 13 feet from the end boards. That is a bit farther than in the NHL. It gives goalies more room to play the puck behind the net.

A rink has nine face-off spots:

• One at center ice.
• Four in the neutral zone, 5 feet from the blue lines.
• Four in the end zones, two on each side.

International goal creases are larger, at about 12 feet across. There is also a small referee’s crease near the scorekeeper’s bench.

High school, college, and youth hockey follow a simple pattern:

• NCAA: most programs play on 200 x 85 ft ice. A few use wider, international-style sheets.
• High school: NFHS recommends the same 200 x 85 ft rink.
• Youth hockey: many programs use cross-ice or half-ice setups for young players. Cross-ice sheets are about 85 x 65 feet. USA Hockey’s youth model uses this format for the youngest ages.

Smaller spaces mean more puck touches for beginners.

Building a rink at home or in a small venue? You are not stuck with these numbers. Modular synthetic ice can fit almost any footprint. Real ice needs a fixed slab and a cooling plant.

FAQs About Official Hockey Rink Dimensions

These are the most common questions, with short answers.

Is an Olympic hockey rink bigger than NHL?

Traditionally, yes. An international rink is about 13 feet wider. At the 2026 Games, the rink was 60 x 26 meters. That is about 3 feet shorter than NHL ice and almost the same width.

What is the size of a high school hockey rink?

Most use the NHL size of 200 x 85 feet. NFHS recommends it. Real sizes can vary by facility, so check with your state association.

Is number 69 banned in NHL?

No. There is no official ban. Only two players have worn it in a regular-season game: Mel Angelstad and Andrew Desjardins. The league retired 99 for Wayne Gretzky. It also does not allow 0 or 00.

Is the 2026 Olympic hockey rink smaller than normal?

It was a little shorter than NHL ice, at 196.85 feet vs 200 feet. It was also much narrower than the old international width of 98.4 feet. The IIHF says it meets its rules.

Who has the smallest arena in the NHL?

The Winnipeg Jets. Canada Life Centre holds about 15,300 fans for hockey. It is the league’s smallest permanent arena. Arena size is not the same as rink size, since every NHL rink uses the same ice.

Conclusion

Remember three numbers: 200 x 85 ft for the NHL, 60 x 30 m for traditional Olympic ice, and 60 x 26 m for Milan Cortina. Width shapes the style of play. Bookmark this hockey rink dimensions chart for your next game, build, or debate.