Delhi is about to get a touch of winter all year round. On September 16, Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena laid the foundation stone for what will be the Capital’s first international-standard ice-skating arena in Dwarka’s Sector 23. Spread across 4,200 square metres, the facility is being developed by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) under a public-private partnership (PPP) model. Once complete, it will feature an Olympic-size rink measuring 60 metres by 30 metres, the kind you would normally find in Europe or North America.
The project is being touted as a landmark moment for India’s sporting infrastructure. At present, winter sports in the country remain niche, with enthusiasts travelling abroad to train. This upcoming facility promises to change that, offering year-round access to an Olympic-size rink that can host everything from figure skating and ice hockey to curling. According to officials, it will also serve as a “Centre of Excellence,” enabling athletes to train at par with global standards and improving India’s chances at platforms like the Winter Olympics and Asian Winter Games.
Speaking at the ceremony, Saxena credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for giving sports a strong push and noted that the foundation was laid on the eve of the Prime Minister’s 75th birthday. “This will be the country’s first Ice Sports Arena at the Olympic level,” he said, adding that the project would open new avenues for Indian athletes.
Beyond the rink itself, the complex has been designed with a mix of professional and recreational users in mind. Plans include modern facilities such as food and beverage outlets, a rehabilitation room, and a sports shop—essentials that make the space both world-class and accessible. The rink will be open to the public, providing Delhiites with a unique recreational option, while also serving professional sports teams looking for serious training grounds.
The project is expected to be completed by May 2026, though officials have indicated an ambitious nine-to-ten-month construction timeline. The contract has been awarded to a private agency for 15 years on a license fee basis, with the agency responsible for both construction and operation.
The choice of location is strategic. Dwarka is fast emerging as a model sub-city, already home to the country’s longest 18-hole golf course and a Centre of Excellence in sports. The upcoming ice arena will add to this reputation, especially with excellent connectivity via the Urban Extension Road (UER), Dwarka Expressway, and the airport tunnel linking Sector-21 to Terminal 3 of Indira Gandhi International Airport.
For the DDA, which currently manages 18 sports complexes, four mini complexes, and three golf courses across the Capital, the ice rink is another step in its effort to expand Delhi’s recreational and sporting landscape. As Commissioner of Sports, Ruhee Dugg put it, the facility will be both a serious training ground and a leisure destination.
For a city that endures scorching summers and short-lived winters, the idea of an Olympic-size rink in its backyard is nothing short of extraordinary. By the time it opens, Delhi could very well find itself at the centre of India’s winter sports story, one skating stride at a time.
Q1. Where is Delhi’s first international ice arena being built?
Delhi is constructing its first international-standard Olympic-size ice skating rink in Sector 23, Dwarka.
Q2. What facilities will the Dwarka ice arena include?
It will feature an Olympic-size rink, training facilities, recreational skating, ice hockey facilities, food courts, a rehabilitation room, and a sports shop.
Q3. Why is this ice arena significant for India?
It brings international-standard winter sports facilities to Delhi, boosting ice hockey, figure skating, and potentially hosting global events.
Q4. When will the Dwarka ice arena open?
Officials aim to complete the project by May 2026, with construction expected to finish within 9–10 months.
Q5. Can tourists also use the facility?
Yes, the arena will have public skating sessions, entertainment shows, and leisure activities open to visitors.
