Record Number of Visitors at Budapest City Park Ice Rink

The Budapest Sports Service Provider (BSK), which operates the City Park Ice Rink, closed the skating season on Sunday with a record-breaking result. Since the opening of Budapest’s iconic ice rink on November 15, 337,800 visitors have taken to the ice, meaning that 30% more people have visited it this year compared to the 2023/2024 season.

The record number was due to the return of foreign tourists, in addition to the increase in the number of domestic visitors. For the first time since the pandemic, the presence of foreigners was already noticeable in the 2023/2024 season. This time, their number reached a record high, with an increase of 15-20% compared to last year. The operator said in a press release that it had offered a wide range of activities at the City Park Ice Rink.

Photo via Facebook/Városligeti Műjégpálya és Csónakázótó

The Freestyle Festival was one of the highlights, with around 150 freestyle skaters from foreign countries attending the event.

The event was such a success that the BSK has already announced that it will hold the event again next year between January 30 and February 1.

Photo via Facebook/Városligeti Műjégpálya és Csónakázótó

The Be Massive Horizon evening skating, the Hungarian Ice Hockey Day, the Night of Ice Rinks and last but not least the 155th birthday of the Budapest ice rink were all attractive events. This year’s closing event was the Hungarian Day of Skating (February 22), where junior figure skaters and speed skaters showed their skills on the ice.

A record-breaking 147,682 pairs of skates were rented out, the rink-side gift shop was a hit, and the food and drink selection was enhanced by new food trucks.

Photo: MTI/Balogh Zoltán

Fact

The City Park Ice Rink is one of Budapest’s unique meeting places, where in winter, with skates on our feet and hot tea in our hands, and in summer, gliding on a boat next to Vajdahunyad Castle, we can immerse ourselves in the enchanting surroundings. Opened in 1870, it is among the largest ^{and oldest ice rinks in Europe. In summer months, the area is filled up with water to create a pond that is primarily used for boating.}