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Which city has the most figure skating rinks in the world?

Beckie Romeo

In response to the question, "Which city has the most figure skating rinks in the world?" there are a few answers that come to mind, depending on the interpretation of "figure skating rinks" and various assumptions made about the definition and count of such facilities. However, if we take a broad view of the question and consider a variety of sources and factors, a compelling answer emerges.

First of all, it's worth clarifying what we mean by "figure skating rinks". If we strictly define this phrase as indoor facilities designed specifically for the purpose of figure skating, then our answer will be different than if we include any ice rinks that can be used for figure skating, whether indoors or outdoors. Additionally, we might consider factors such as the size and quality of the rinks, the availability of public skating times versus exclusive use by skating clubs or athletes, and the historical or cultural significance of the rinks to the sport of figure skating.

With those factors in mind, some of the cities that come to mind as contenders for having the most figure skating rinks in the world include:

- Moscow, Russia: as one of the most prominent host cities for figure skating competitions both past and present, it's no surprise that Moscow has a wealth of skating facilities. In fact, figure skating is such a popular sport in Russia that many ice rinks are designed specifically with the sport in mind, with amenities such as dedicated sound systems and lighting. Some of the most notable rinks in Moscow include Megasport Arena, the Ice Palace in Krylatskoye, and the Novogorsk Training Centre, which boasts multiple rinks and is used by many top Russian skaters.
- Toronto, Canada: as the birthplace of numerous famous figure skaters and host to many international competitions, Toronto has a strong skating culture and numerous rinks to support it. Notably, the city's Nathan Phillips Square transforms into an outdoor skating rink each winter, giving even more accessibility to ice skating for the public. Other notable facilities in Toronto include the Mattamy Athletic Centre (formerly Maple Leaf Gardens) and the MasterCard Centre for Hockey Excellence, which houses multiple rinks and a training facility for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
- Beijing, China: as the host city for the 2022 Winter Olympics, Beijing has invested heavily in ice sports infrastructure in recent years. In addition to the National Speed Skating Oval, which will host Olympic events, the city has built several ice rinks specifically for figure skating, including the Capital Gymnasium and the Wukesong Arena. The latter is a 20,000-seat stadium that was originally built for basketball and has since been converted to serve as a practice and competition venue for figure skating.

While there are certainly other cities with a wealth of figure skating rinks (such as Helsinki, Finland or Lake Placid, USA), these three stand out as places with a high concentration of facilities, a strong skating culture, and significant historical or global impact on the sport. Ultimately, the answer to this question depends on how one defines and measures "figure skating rinks", but no matter how you look at it, these cities are among the most important and influential in the world of figure skating.