What to Wear to a Hockey Game: Warm, Comfortable and Game-Day Ready

For a hockey game, wear comfortable layers: a long-sleeved top, a jersey, hoodie or sweater over it, and a light jacket you can take off once you warm up. Add jeans or warm trousers, flat shoes with good grip and, if you tend to feel the cold, a scarf or beanie in your team's colours. Arenas are kept cool to protect the ice, especially close to the rink, so it is easier to remove a layer than to wish you had brought one.

How cold is a hockey arena?

Inside, the seating areas are cooler than most indoor venues but nowhere near freezing. The rows closest to the glass feel the chill most, and the air can feel colder still if you are sitting still for a long period. Higher seats are usually warmer, because warm air rises. Expect to feel cool when you first sit down, and warmer as the crowd fills in and the game gets going.

A simple layering formula

1. Base layer: a long-sleeved tee or thin thermal top. It sits comfortably under a jersey and keeps arms warm.
2. Middle layer: the team jersey, a sweatshirt, a knit sweater or a fleece.
3. Outer layer: a puffer vest, light down jacket, denim jacket or wool coat for the trip there and the first period.
4. Accessories: scarf, beanie or knit hat, and gloves for the walk from the car park or station.

Jerseys are cut big to go over pads, so most fans size them to wear over a sweatshirt or long-sleeved top. That makes the jersey a handy middle layer rather than the only thing keeping you warm.

Showing team colours without a jersey

A jersey is not compulsory. Plenty of fans wear a sweater, flannel shirt or cap in the team's colours, a team scarf, or a simple tee under a neutral jacket. Pairing one bold piece with plain basics looks put together and works for a quick dinner after the game, too.

Outfit ideas by occasion

Shoes and bags

Arenas mean stairs, crowded concourses and sometimes a long walk from parking. Flat or low-heeled shoes with grip are the safest choice, and in winter, pavements outside can be icy after the game. Waterproof ankle boots or warm trainers suit most of the season.

Before packing a bag, check the venue's bag policy. Many arenas now limit bag size or ask for clear bags, and the rules change between venues. A cross-body pouch or jacket pockets avoid the issue altogether.

Dressing for an outdoor game

Outdoor hockey games, from big stadium events to a local pond tournament, are a different matter. You will sit still in winter air for a couple of hours or more, so dress the way you would for any long spell in the cold:

• Thermal base layers on top and bottom, ideally wool or a synthetic that moves sweat away from the skin.
• An insulating middle layer such as fleece or a down jacket.
• A windproof, waterproof outer shell if snow or sleet is forecast.
• Warm socks and insulated boots. Feet on cold concrete get cold first.
• Hat, gloves and a scarf or neck gaiter. Hand warmers in pockets are a cheap luxury.
• A blanket or seat cushion, if the venue permits them.

Cotton holds moisture once it gets damp, so it is a poor choice next to the skin on a long, cold night.

Taking children

Children tend to get cold faster and feel it later, so give them an extra layer and a hat even if they protest. Ear defenders are worth considering for younger kids, as goal horns and music can be loud. A small snack and a planned break during an intermission help too, the same ideas that make a day out easier in our guide to taking kids to a festival.

What to leave at home

• High stiletto heels, which are awkward on steep stairs.
• A bulky coat you will hold on your lap all game, unless the game is outdoors.
• Large bags that fall foul of the venue's policy.
• Anything you would hate to have splashed with a drink.

Can you wear a jersey from another team?

Usually, yes. Away fans are a normal sight, and good-natured rivalry is part of the fun. Just keep the banter friendly.

How does this compare with dressing for a summer festival?

The logic is the same: comfortable shoes, layers and as little to carry as possible. The difference is the temperature. For warm-weather events, see our guide to what to wear to a music festival, and for a weekend away around a game, the travel capsule wardrobe shows how a handful of pieces can cover several outfits.