How to Choose the Right Scheduling Software for Your Hockey Rink

Running a hockey rink is no small task. Between managing ice time, coordinating leagues, handling rentals, and keeping customers happy, the last thing you need is a scheduling headache. The right ice rink scheduling software can streamline your operations, reduce no-shows, and help you maximize revenue from every hour of available ice. But with so many options out there, how do you choose the best fit for your rink?

Here’s a breakdown of what to look for when selecting ice rink scheduling software for your hockey business.

1. Prioritize Easy Online Booking for Ice Rinks

Your customers expect convenience. If players or teams can’t quickly book ice time online, they’ll move on to the next rink. The right scheduling software should:

• Offer simple online booking from a mobile device or desktop.
• Show real-time availability of ice slots.
• Allow for recurring reservations (perfect for weekly practices or league games).
  
  

When your rink offers self-serve booking, your staff spends less time on the phone and more time focused on delivering a great in-person experience. 

2. Look for Flexible Scheduling Features

Hockey rinks don’t just host games. You’re running open skates, training sessions, tournaments, birthday parties, and more. Choose software that lets you:

• Create different event types (public skate vs. private rental).
• Block out time for resurfacing and maintenance.
• Handle overlapping schedules across multiple rinks if you manage more than one sheet of ice.

Flexibility is key to keeping your facility profitable. Many successful rink owners combine scheduling tools with 24/7 facility access control to create a seamless customer experience.

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3. Make Payments Seamless

An ideal scheduling platform doesn’t just book ice time—it also collects payment. Look for software that integrates payment processing so you can:

• Accept credit, debit, and gift cards online and in person
• Auto-bill recurring membership payments
• Create and send invoices seamlessly for large team or organization dues
• Send automated receipts

This not only keeps your cash flow strong but also reduces manual admin work. Even more, modern software like Swift allows you to export all your sales & revenue reporting so you can quickly integrate into your accounting systems.

4. Prioritize Communication Tools

Cancellations, schedule changes, or reminders are a part of rink life. Scheduling software that includes communication features can make your job easier by:

• Sending automatic email or text reminders.
• Notifying teams about last-minute changes.
• Allowing customers to manage their own reservations.
  
  

When paired with a branded facility app, these communication tools give your rink a professional edge - notifying your clients of new programs at the click of a button with push notifications.

5. Track Rink Usage and Revenue

Your ice is valuable real estate. You need to know if it’s being used to its fullest potential. The best scheduling systems give you insight into:

• Ice utilization rates
• Which programs or events generate the most revenue
• Customer trends and repeat bookings
  
  

These insights help you adjust pricing, add programs, and maximize every available hour.

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6. Mobile-Friendly for Staff and Customers

Whether you’re managing schedules on the go or a coach is trying to reserve ice from the bench, mobile-friendly systems are paramount. Make sure your scheduling software offers:

• A branded mobile app or mobile-friendly web portal.
• Staff logins to quickly view or adjust schedules.
• Customer accounts to book, pay, and check schedules from anywhere.

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7. Customer Support and Ease of Use

Not every rink manager is tech-savvy, and that’s okay. The software you choose should be intuitive and backed by responsive customer support. Ask about:

• Onboarding and training resources.
• Ongoing support (live chat, phone, or email).
• Regular software updates and improvements.
  
  

When you can rely on your provider, you can spend less time troubleshooting and more time filling your rink.

8. Unique Needs for Hockey Rinks

Every sport comes with its own operational challenges. For hockey rinks, the right scheduling software should also help you: 

• Manage multiple rinks for programs, adult leagues, figure skating classes, public-skating drop-ins, etc
• Split a single rink into smaller instances to share ice time across programs and activities
• Support age-based restrictions for classes, clinics, camps, and development programs
• Organize camps and specialty skills clinics with guest coaches
• Track player registrations and digital waivers signatures

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Final Thoughts

Choosing the right scheduling software for your hockey rink comes down to one thing: efficiency. The right system should simplify operations, improve the customer experience, and maximize your revenue per sheet of ice.

At Swift, we’ve built our ice scheduling software specifically for rinks like yours. With online booking, automated notifications, facility access control, a branded mobile app, and so much more, Swift helps you fill every hour of ice while reducing administrative headaches.

Ready to take the stress out of rink scheduling? Book a free demo to speak to a member of our team and see how easy managing your rink can be.

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