Sports
Canberra Brave Makes History as AIS Arena Becomes Australia’s First Full Bowl Ice Hockey Venue
AIS basketball court transforms into state-of-the-art ice rink, offering fans a northern-hemisphere style experience and setting a new national benchmark for the sport.
CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA — In a groundbreaking moment for Australian ice hockey, the Canberra Brave have officially skated into a new era. The reigning Australian Ice Hockey League (AIHL) champions debuted at their new temporary home inside the AIS Arena, where a former basketball court has been dramatically transformed into Australia’s first full bowl ice hockey rink.
The transformation of the Australian Institute of Sport venue, located in Bruce, marks a significant milestone not just for the Brave, but for the entire league. It’s the first time fans in Australia can enjoy a northern-hemisphere style game day experience, complete with stadium-style seating and the sharp, wintry atmosphere that defines traditional ice hockey arenas.
Brave CEO Stephen Campbell called the move a “massive step forward” and a proud moment for the sport. “As soon as you walk in, there’s that crispness in the air—you instantly feel like you’re in a hockey rink,” he said. “The boys are playing a top-tier sport, and now they’re playing it in a top-tier venue.”
The AIS Arena can host more than 2,700 fans, nearly tripling the capacity of the team’s previous venue at Phillip Swimming and Ice Skating Centre. The inaugural home game this Saturday against Adelaide Adrenaline is already expected to sell out — a clear sign that this bold investment is already paying off.
Brave forward Matt Clark expressed his excitement at the new setup. “We came here a couple of weeks ago, and it was just a bare floor. No ice, no glass. The transformation is unbelievable,” he said. “Canberrans are wild for sport — they bring the energy, and it’s going to be electric in here.”
The logistics behind the transformation were no small feat. The ice rink was constructed using a protective layering system to shield the underlying basketball court, then built up with boards, mats, and layers of ice. The massive project relied heavily on volunteers, many of whom worked overnight to bring the rink to life.
Overseeing the conversion was ice sport advocate Kerry Goulet, who compared the process to unwrapping Christmas presents. “We started with a blank canvas and created something truly special. This isn’t just one of the best facilities in Australia — it’s one of the best in the South Pacific,” he said.
This new home, however, is only temporary. The Canberra Brave are slated to eventually relocate to a purpose-built ice sports facility in Tuggeranong, dubbed Canberra Arena. Originally promised during the 2016 ACT election campaign, environmental hurdles have delayed construction. Campbell, who is also involved in the project, remains optimistic that the venue will be ready by the 2028 season.
Until then, fans and players alike can enjoy a game-changing season at the AIS — a venue that’s not just hosting hockey, but redefining its place in Australian sports.