Thialf: Skate the Ice Where Olympic Medals Will Be Won

Every sport has its temple. For speed skating, it stands in Heerenveen. Thialf calls itself the House of Champions and serves as the home base of the Dutch national skating team, and in February 2030 it takes on its biggest role yet: hosting every long track speed skating event of the French Alps Winter Olympics. The best part for visitors? Outside competition days, you can lace up and skate that very same ice yourself.

Why Thialf matters

Skating runs deep here. The local ice club was founded in 1855, which makes it one of the oldest in the Netherlands according to Dutch sports historians. The modern arena opened as an outdoor rink in 1967, was covered in 1986 and thoroughly renovated in 2015 and 2016, with room for roughly 12,500 spectators, based on secondary sources. World and European championships return here season after season. As recently as March 2026, Thialf hosted the World Sprint and World Allround Championships, where Dutch skaters Jenning de Boo and Femke Kok took world titles and De Boo set a new world record in the sprint combination.

Skating at Thialf as a visitor

When no competitions or training blocks are scheduled, Thialf opens its ice to the public. You can skate the full 400-metre Olympic oval, switch to the 333-metre inner track, or bring the kids to the small 30 by 30 metre beginners' rink. Skate rental is available on site, and the complex also houses a full ice hockey arena.

Two rules to know before you go: a helmet is mandatory on the ice, and cut-resistant gloves are strongly advised. You can bring your own or rent gear at the arena. Public skating hours depend on the training and competition calendar, so always check the Thialf website before your visit.

Experience a race day

If your travel dates allow it, build your trip around a skating event. Thialf on competition days is a spectacle the locals proudly call the Frisian carnival: stands packed with orange-clad fans, brass bands playing between races, and an atmosphere that has made this arena famous far beyond the Netherlands. With the 2030 Olympics approaching, Thialf will also host official Olympic test events during upcoming World Cup weekends, giving visitors a chance to watch the venue rehearse for the biggest stage in sport.

Thialf and the 2030 Winter Olympics

France has no suitable 400-metre indoor oval, so the French organising committee chose Thialf for all Olympic long track events, a decision confirmed in June 2026. Rather than build an expensive new stadium, the organisers opted for existing world-class infrastructure abroad, in line with the sustainability goals of the modern Olympic movement. Thialf itself received 37.5 million euros in government support to make the arena more sustainable ahead of the Games, as reported by DutchNews. Read the full story on our Heerenveen 2030 Olympics page.

Plan your visit

Thialf sits in the sports quarter of Heerenveen, close to the Abe Lenstra Stadium, and is easy to reach by car and public transport, with parking at the arena. Combine your skate with a football match, a walk through the royal woods of Oranjewoud or a day on the Frisian lakes. Our Why Visit Heerenveen guide helps you build the full itinerary.

Frequently asked questions

Can anyone skate at Thialf?+

Yes. When no competitions or training sessions are scheduled, the ice is open to the public, including the 400-metre oval. Skate rental is available. A helmet is mandatory and cut-resistant gloves are advised. Check the Thialf website for current public hours.

Is Thialf really hosting the 2030 Olympics?+

Yes. All long track speed skating events of the French Alps 2030 Winter Olympics take place in Thialf, confirmed by the French organising committee in June 2026. The rest of the Games takes place in France.

How big is Thialf?+

The arena holds roughly 12,500 spectators, according to secondary sources. It contains a 400-metre oval, a 333-metre track, a beginners' rink and an ice hockey arena.

When is the best time to visit Thialf?+

The skating season runs through autumn and winter, when World Cup and championship events fill the calendar. For public skating, quieter weekday sessions offer the most space on the ice. Always check the official calendar first.

More guides to Heerenveen

Sources

• Ice club founded 1855: anderetijden.nl, sportgeschiedenis.nl (secondary sources)
• Rink history (1967 / 1986 / 2015-16 renovations), capacity of roughly 12,500, address: Wikipedia (secondary source)
• Public skating, tracks, helmet rule, glove advice, rental, Frisian carnival atmosphere: thialf.nl (primary source), dagjeweg.nl
• March 2026 World Sprint and World Allround Championships, De Boo world record, Kok title: Wikipedia
• Olympic confirmation and test events: rijksoverheid.nl, NL Times (29 June 2026)
• 37.5 million euro sustainability subsidy: DutchNews (1 July 2026)

Independent, private initiative with no official affiliation to the municipality of Heerenveen, Thialf, SC Heerenveen, Museum Belvedere, NOC*NSF, the IOC or the Alpes 2030 organizing committee. Names and brands mentioned are the property of their respective owners.