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Fred Rust Ice Arena: Home of the Fightin' Blue Hens
Experience the thrill of ice skating at the University of Delaware's Fred Rust Ice Arena, home to the Fightin' Blue Hens!
The Fred Rust Ice Arena at the University of Delaware is a multi-purpose facility featuring an Olympic-sized ice rink, home to the UD Fightin' Blue Hens hockey teams and figure skating programs. Public skating sessions and various events offer recreational and competitive ice sports opportunities for students and the community.
Plan your visit
A brief summary to Fred Rust Ice Arena
Opening times, essentials, and a few local tips gathered into one calmer, easier-to-scan planning section.
Plan your visit
Monday
8 am-6 pm
Tuesday
8 am-6 pm
Wednesday
8 am-6 pm
Thursday
8 am-6 pm
Friday
9 am-11 pm
Saturday
9 am-11 pm
Sunday
9 am-11 pm
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Getting There
Walking
From the center of Newark at the intersection of Main Street and South College Avenue, head south on South College Avenue. Continue walking straight for about half a mile. The Fred Rust Ice Arena will be on your left at 549 S College Ave. It's a large building and is hard to miss.
Public Transport
From the Newark Transit Center, take the DART bus number 1 and get off at the stop at S College Ave & Delaware Ave. From there, walk south on South College Avenue for about 0.3 miles, and Fred Rust Ice Arena will be on your left at 549 S College Ave. Single fares for DART First State buses typically cost $2.00.
Driving
If driving, note that parking is available in Lot 1 in front of the Fred Rust Ice Arena. Parking on the side of the Fred Rust Ice Arena (Lot 63) is reserved for UD Faculty/Staff. Check the University of Delaware's Transportation Services website for visitor parking regulations and potential costs.
Local tips
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Check the arena's schedule for public skating sessions, hockey games, and figure skating events before your visit.
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Consider taking skating lessons offered by experienced instructors, suitable for beginners and experienced skaters.
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Parking is available in front of the Fred Rust Ice Arena (Lot 1). A parking pass may be required.
Discover more about Fred Rust Ice Arena
Located on the University of Delaware's campus in Newark, the Fred Rust Ice Arena is a hub for ice sports and recreation. Originally named The Blue Arena, it was built in 1988 and features a 2,500-seat Olympic-sized ice rink. Adjacent to it is the Gold Arena, an NHL-sized ice sheet constructed in 1971.
The arena is home to the University of Delaware's Fightin' Blue Hens men's and women's ice hockey teams, as well as the University of Delaware Figure Skating Club and Synchronized Skating Club. Beginning in the 2025-2026 season, it will also host the Blue Hens' NCAA Division I women's ice hockey program. Beyond collegiate sports, the arena provides recreational opportunities for students and the public through skating sessions, hockey tournaments, and figure skating events.
The Fred Rust Ice Arena is also a leading training and research site for figure skating, known as the University of Delaware Ice Skating Science Development Center (ISSDC). It collaborates with world and Olympic coaches to advance the science of figure skating, encompassing research in sports medicine, exercise physiology, biomechanics, and sports psychology. World ice skating champion Kimmie Meissner is among the elite athletes who have trained at the Rust and Gold arenas.
A brief summary to Fred Rust Ice Arena
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