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SWISS ENGINEERED · LAB-PROVEN · BUILT FOR RENTAL

Glice Rental Rink - The Glice Rental Rink. Delivered, Installed, Ready to Run.

A Fraunhofer-validated synthetic ice rink for your next season, festival, or brand activation. Assembled in hours, certified to operate in a 45-minute Rink Manager Program, fully supported by Glice from first call to final collection.

Short-term hire and seasonal rental trusted by venues, brands, and municipalities across 100+ countries.

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Delivered & Collected Any Venue, Any Duration Fully Managed Option
CCM Harvard University Coca-Cola Red Bull Four Seasons Kempinski Fairmont

Glice is a Swiss-engineered synthetic ice rink system — solid polymer panels that deliver a real skating experience using regular ice skates, with no refrigeration, no water, and no electricity. Installed in over 3,000 rinks across 100+ countries, with performance independently validated by Germany’s Fraunhofer Institute.

Reviewed by Viktor Meier, Co-Founder & CEO, Glice AG · Last reviewed: June 2026

Skating. Without Ice.

Synthetic ice is a system of engineered polymer panels that lets you skate with normal ice skates - no refrigeration, no water, no freezing. Panels install on any flat surface and connect to form a complete skating rink. Operable anywhere, in any climate.

Solid polymer, not ice.Synthetic ice is a dry, solid surface made from engineered polymer panels - no water, no refrigeration, no electricity required. Panels are ambient temperature and never melt.
Standard skates, no special gear.You skate with the same ice skates you'd use on a refrigerated rink. No modifications needed.
Independently tested performance.Fraunhofer Institute testing confirmed that Glice synthetic ice achieves glide performance comparable to real-ice skating speeds.
Self-improving surface.Sintered panels release fresh lubricant as blades create microscopic scratches - the more you skate, the better it glides.
Tongue-and-groove connection.Panels interlock like parquet flooring - precision-machined joints create a seamless surface. Seams are 100% flush and undetectable underfoot.
Install anywhere, no permits required.Panels lay directly on concrete, asphalt, sport flooring, or event flooring. No anchoring, no drilling, no construction permits. Premium panels last 10+ years per side and are reversible.
Easy to manage with Rink Manager Certification.Glice provides Rink Manager Certification to help your team operate and maintain the rink, supporting long-term surface quality and a world-class skating experience.
Glice synthetic ice rink system - modular polymer panels with dasher boards on a concrete base

Why Rent a Synthetic Ice Rink from Glice?

Deploy an ice rink anywhere

No Capital Outlay — Just Rent

Skip the purchase. A Glice rental rink gives you a premium attraction without a capital commitment — ideal for seasonal pop-ups, one-off activations, or testing demand before buying.

Setup in hours, teardown in hours

Delivered, Installed, Collected

Glice handles the logistics. Your rental rink arrives on pallets, is assembled in hours on any flat surface, and is collected at the end of your hire period — hassle-free.

Zero site services required

Zero Infrastructure Needed

No chillers, no compressors, no water supply, no electrical hookup. A rental rink from Glice operates independently — plug-free skating for any location, indoors or outdoors.

Reusable asset for multiple activations

Flexible Hire Terms

Weekend pop-up, month-long holiday rink, or a full winter season — Glice rental contracts scale to your timeline. Extend, relocate, or return at any point.

Get a tailored rental quote for your venue →

Identical Glide. Zero Infrastructure.

Independent Fraunhofer testing confirms a friction coefficient matching freshly resurfaced real ice at lower speeds.

Source: Fraunhofer IWM, Zwischenbericht V1184-2025

Friction comparison chart: Glice vs refrigerated ice - Fraunhofer validated

Glice vs Refrigerated Ice at a Glance

Refrigerated Ice Glice
Energy consumption ~1,050,000 kWh/year No refrigeration kWh
Water consumption ~126,000 litres/year No resurfacing water
CO₂ emissions ~519 tonnes/year Lower operating CO2
Installation Days or weeks, permits, chiller space needed Hours, any flat surface
Temperature dependency Degrades above 10°C/50°F Performs at any temperature
Surface consistency Zamboni downtime ~20 min between sessions Consistent all day, no downtime
Maintenance staff Refrigeration engineers required Any staff, trained in 45 min
Lifespan Continuous repair, maintenance and replacement costs 10+ years per side, reversible
Injury risk Hard, unforgiving surface Shock-absorbing, fewer injuries
Noise Compressor and generator noise Silent - no generator noise
Cooling agents Refrigerants - potent greenhouse gases No refrigerant plant
Infrastructure requirements Chiller plant, pumps, HVAC, piping, electrical upgrades No refrigeration infrastructure
Technical back-of-house space ~90 m² service & plant area 0 m²
Ice waste handling space ~9 m² melt pit & drainage area 0 m²
Air conditioning & dehumidification (indoor) Significant additional energy and equipment Not required

Ice Quality Throughout the Day

Glice maintains 100% surface quality all day. Refrigerated ice degrades between Zamboni cycles.

Glice (synthetic) Refrigerated ice Zamboni resurfacing
Resurfaced every ~90 min · ~20 min closure per session · Total daily downtime: ~180 min (3 hours)

Figures based on a standard Olympic-size rink (60 × 30 m). Actual values may vary depending on rink size, climate, and operating conditions.

Refrigerated Ice vs Glice — Resource & Space Calculator

m
m
weeks
Refrigerated Ice
Glice

Operational Cost Projection

Refrigerated Ice
Glice

Electricity rate: 1.6 kWh/m²/day · Water: 70 L/m² (operating period) · CO₂: 0.494 kg/kWh (IEA global average)

These calculations are based on international averages and are intended for indicative purposes only. Actual energy consumption, water usage, CO₂ emissions, and infrastructure requirements may vary depending on rink size, climate, operating conditions, and local utility rates. Contact Glice for a tailored project assessment.

Not All Synthetic Ice Is Equal.

Fraunhofer lab tests confirm Glice leads every performance metric in the category.

52%
Lower friction than the next best competitor
45%
Less blade sinking than the next best competitor - no plough resistance
6%
Less abrasion - lowest shavings output in the industry

Source: Fraunhofer Institute for Mechanics of Materials IWM, Freiburg. Zwischenbericht V1184-2025.

Skate blade fixed in a tribometer during friction testing at the Fraunhofer Institute

Independently tested at the Fraunhofer Institute

The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft is Europe's largest applied research institute with 76 institutes and over 32,000 researchers. Testing was conducted at the Fraunhofer Institute for Mechanics of Materials IWM in Freiburg - specialists in tribology, surface science, and material characterisation.

Test Setup

  • › Skate blade fixed in a tribometer
  • › Synthetic ice panels act as counterbodies, moving beneath the blade
  • › Friction measured directly on the blade
  • › Normal force applied by pulling the blade head downward
  • › Blade cleaned with acetone & isopropanol before and after each test, installed in the same position

Test Parameters

Frequency
10 Hz
Amplitude
12 mm
Normal force
300 N
Sample rate
100,000 Hz
Recording interval
1 s
Duration
200 cycles (20 s)
Friction comparison: Glice vs competitor synthetic ice brands - 52% lower friction

52% Lower Friction

In the test, a hockey skate blade moved back and forth over a sample of synthetic ice, while a tribometer recorded how much friction each surface creates.

The coefficient of friction determines the resistance a skate blade encounters when gliding. A lower coefficient means the blade glides more effortlessly, faster, and for longer distances. It also reduces blade wear, keeping edges sharper and extending the time between resharpening.

Source: Fraunhofer IWM, Zwischenbericht V1184-2025

45% Less Blade Penetration

Blade penetration (indentation) is a key factor in synthetic ice performance. The deeper the blade sinks, the more material it pushes forward - like an icebreaker through ice. This increases skating effort and reduces glide speed.

Indentation depth was measured using a white light optical profilometer. Glice shows 45% less blade sinking than the next best competitor.

Source: Fraunhofer IWM, Zwischenbericht V1184-2025

Blade penetration depth: Glice shows 45% less blade sinking than competitors
Abrasion test: Glice produces 6% less material wear than the next best competitor

6% Less Abrasion

Using the standard DIN ISO 4649 method, samples from the top synthetic ice brands were tested to see how quickly they wear down. Each sample is rubbed against sandpaper under controlled conditions, and the material lost is measured.

The less material that wears off, the fewer shavings are created during skating - keeping the surface cleaner, improving glide, and reducing maintenance.

Source: Fraunhofer IWM, DIN ISO 4649 standardized abrasion test

Figures based on a standard Olympic-size rink (60 × 30 m). Actual values may vary depending on rink size, climate, and operating conditions.

Independent lab report published by the Fraunhofer Institute for Mechanics of Materials IWM.

View the official Fraunhofer press release

The Skate Effort Equation

Friction Sliding resistance
at the blade
×
Indentation Ploughing resistance
as the blade sinks
=
Skate effort What the skater feels
push by push

Skate Effort Matrix

Less Skate Effort. Fuller Rinks.

Move your cursor across the chart. Watch the business outcomes on the right shift as skate effort changes.

Low Smooth Moderate Heavy High Low Mild Medium High Very high Max Relative glide effort Surface response Fresh ice 30 min 60 min 90 min Competitor 1 Competitor 2 Competitor 3 Competitor 4 Glice Sources: Fraunhofer IWM synthetic-surface testing and rink-tribology literature; chart normalized to a relative scale. WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOUR BUSINESS Effortless skating Happy skaters Magnet effect Good press & social media Low sharpening cost Hover the chart to see how skate effort drives the business

A Bad Skating Experience Costs More Than You Think.

Low-quality synthetic ice destroys what you built. Glice protects it.

When skaters experience slow, sticky, shavings-covered ice - they leave early. They don't come back. They don't recommend your venue.

Low glide on cheap synthetic iceLow glideSkaters leave early. Lost forever.
Blade dulling from low-quality synthetic iceBlade dullingConstant sharpening. No grip.
Excess shavings on cheap synthetic iceExcess shavingsClothing complaints. Skaters don't return.
Poor aesthetics of cheap synthetic ice rinkPoor aestheticsCheap look. Weak venue impression.

Glice is engineered to protect the experience you invested in - from the first skater to the last.

Talk with a rink specialist →

Your Success Goes Beyond the Surface.

How Glice makes your project successful beyond surface technology.

Glice premium dasher board system

Premium Dasher Boards

A premium dasher board system designed to elevate any venue.

Glice Rink Manager Certification

Rink Manager Certification

A structured certification program helps your team run a world-class operation.

Glice global team in 100+ countries

Global Team in 100+ Countries

A passionate team - we're where you are.

Independent lab report published by the Fraunhofer Institute for Mechanics of Materials IWM.

View the official Fraunhofer press release
Jeff Church
Seeing how much people enjoyed skating on it fully confirmed our decision.
★★★★★
Jeff Church, Operations, Credit One Stadium
Talk to a rink specialist → Get The Complete Rink Planner

Recognised on the World Stage.

Trusted by the world's most recognised organisations to deliver the defining experience at their biggest moments.

NHL Sport Innovation Conference 2026 featuring Glice synthetic ice

Presented by the NHL

Selected as a breakthrough in hockey technology at the 2026 Sport Innovation Conference.

ISU World Congress 2026 featuring Glice synthetic ice demonstration

Chosen by the ISU

Selected to demonstrate the future of figure skating at the 2026 ISU World Congress.

Winter Olympics 2026 House of Switzerland featuring Glice synthetic curling

Featured at the 2026 Winter Olympics

Selected by the House of Switzerland to showcase synthetic curling on the world stage.

CCM Hockey Lab selects Glice synthetic ice in blind skating test

Selected by CCM

Chosen in a blind skating test as the synthetic ice selected by CCM for the world's largest Hockey Lab.

Large-format synthetic ice rink installation in Mexico

Large-Format Artificial Ice Rink

Glice delivered a 4,000 m² / 43,056 sq ft public rink project in Mexico.

Want the same technology trusted by top organisations? Let's talk about your event →

Rental Rink, Premium Experience.

Renting doesn't mean compromising. Every Glice rental rink uses the same Fraunhofer-validated panels
as our permanent installations — your guests feel the difference immediately.

Effortless Glide

52% lower friction than the next-best synthetic ice (Fraunhofer-validated). Rental guests experience the same genuine glide as a permanent installation — real skating, real reviews, real return visits.

Skate blade staying sharp on Glice synthetic ice

Blades Stay Sharp

45% less blade indentation keeps rental skates sharper longer — lower sharpening costs across your hire period and a consistently smooth ride for every session.

Clean professional Glice rink surface

Clean Surface

6% less abrasion than the next-best competitor. Minimal shavings mean a cleaner rink throughout your rental period — less maintenance, a professional look, and happier venue managers.

Every rental rink is maintained to the same standard as a permanent Glice installation — first skater to last.

Reserve your rental rink →
Glice premium dasher board system

Premium Aesthetics

Premium Aesthetics That Elevate Any Event

Every Glice rental rink ships with premium dasher boards — brandable, photogenic, and engineered to give your activation a high-end finish that guests and sponsors notice.

  • ✓ Lightweight to handle
  • ✓ Adjustable to uneven ground

Proven for Event and Rental Rinks Worldwide.

Event and rental venues use Glice to create portable skating experiences with fast setup.

Plan a rental rink project ->

Free Planning Guide

Get The Complete Rink Planner.

Everything you need to evaluate, plan, and launch a synthetic ice rink - in one document.

  • Site requirements and Planning Checklist
  • Six financing paths, including grants and sponsorship
  • How to test, compare, and choose any provider

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Glice synthetic ice hockey rink
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Glice

Planning Guide

The Complete
Rink Planner

PDF

Costs, layouts, revenue projections & everything you need to launch your synthetic ice rink.

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A Rental Rink Anyone Can Operate.

No refrigeration. No engineers. No complexity.

Operating a rental rink should be turnkey. Glice rental packages come with full training so your on-site team can manage daily operations from day one.

Installs on any flat surface

Concrete, asphalt, sport flooring, event flooring. No permits required.

Ready in hours

Modular system assembled by your team, not contractors.

No ice plant, no resurfacing water

No refrigeration infrastructure. No water consumption.

Minimal maintenance

Simple daily cleaning with one machine. No technical staff required.

Staff trained in 45 minutes

Glice Rink Manager Certification included.

Stackable storage

Full rink packs flat in Glice FlatPacks™ for off-season.

Curious how easy a rental rink is to operate? Ask our team → Get The Complete Rink Planner

Our Rink Systems

Whether you rent or buy — every Glice system uses the same Swiss-engineered panels. Explore our full product range.

Not sure whether to rent or buy? We'll help you decide → Get The Complete Rink Planner
Trees for the Future

A Sustainability Story Built into Every Rental

A Rink That Plants a Forest

170,000+

Trees Planted and Counting

One tree planted per panel produced. Through Skate for the Planet, Glice's reforestation program, 170,000+ trees have been contributed to date - in partnership with Trees for the Future, a UN World Restoration Flagship. Every rental comes with built-in ESG credentials you can feature in press releases, social posts, and post-activation reports.

As Seen In

The New York Times BBC Forbes Entrepreneur Bloomberg CNN FOX NEWS

From Enquiry to Opening Day. Fully Managed.

A streamlined rental process — from initial enquiry to rink collection, Glice manages every step.

1

Rental Enquiry

Tell us your dates, venue, and goals. We'll recommend the right rink size and package.

2

Quote & Contract

Transparent rental pricing. Flexible terms from one weekend to an entire season.

3

Delivery

Rink arrives on pallets, ready to assemble at your venue.

4

Setup

Assembled in hours on any flat surface. Glice crew or guided self-install.

5

Operate & Return

Your team runs it with Glice support. At the end of hire, we collect everything.

Start your rental enquiry → Get The Complete Rink Planner

Frequently Asked Questions

Independent testing by the Fraunhofer Institute for Mechanics of Materials (IWM, May 2024) measured Glice synthetic ice at a friction coefficient matching freshly resurfaced real ice at lower speed.
No - regular ice skating blades work on Glice without modification. Glice's low-friction surface protects blades and reduces wear compared to other synthetic ice surfaces.
Most rinks are installed in hours, not days. Modular panels lock together on any flat surface - no anchoring, no construction, no permits typically required.
Yes - Glice performs at any temperature. Unlike refrigerated ice which degrades above 10°C/50°F, Glice delivers consistent performance in any climate.
No refrigeration energy or rink water is required for the skating surface itself. Daily cleaning with a specialist machine is the primary operational requirement. No refrigeration technicians needed.
Daily cleaning with a Glice cleaning machine during non-operational hours. Skate sharpening depending on usage. No technical staff or refrigeration expertise required.
Testing by the Fraunhofer Institute for Mechanics of Materials (IWM, May 2024) measured Glice at 52% lower friction, 45% less blade indentation, and 6% less abrasion than the next-best competitor synthetic ice surface.
Glice rinks are Swiss engineered and manufactured in the European Union to precise specifications.
Rental pricing depends on rink size, hire duration, and whether you need additional services like skates, dasher boards, or on-site support. Glice offers flexible packages for weekend pop-ups, month-long activations, and full winter seasons. Contact us for a tailored quote — most clients receive a proposal within 48 hours.
Glice rinks install on any flat surface - concrete, asphalt, sport flooring, or event flooring - indoors or outdoors. Each rink is delivered on pallets of modular panels, making it simple to transport, assemble, and relocate. This flexibility makes Glice the ideal choice for seasonal rental deployments, pop-up activations, and touring rink programmes.
Get All Answers in The Rink Planner Still have questions? Talk to our rental team →
Working with Glice was different from any supplier relationship we had. They guided us through every step and made a complex project feel completely manageable.
★★★★★
Senior Venue Manager, International Hospitality Group

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Key facts

  • Swiss-engineered panel system manufactured in Germany under exclusivity
  • Operating in 100+ countries with 3,000+ installations
  • Fraunhofer IWM validated Glice glide performance matching freshly resurfaced real ice at lower speed
  • EU-manufactured dasher boards and rink accessories support complete turnkey rink packages

Last updated: June 2026