Ice hockey games to be held at OVO Hydro in Glasgow

Ice hockey is to be played at the OVO Hydro in Glasgow first time this December.

Three matches are to be played over two days at Scotland's largest indoor venue, with all the Scottish teams from the Elite League competition taking part.

Organisers say the move will help to grow the game, with the local Glasgow Clan team regularly selling out fixtures at the Braehead Arena.

However, some fans have raised concerns over ticket prices at the venue which usually hosts music gigs.

Those behind the event said higher prices are due to extra costs involved in placing a rink at the Hydro.

On Wednesday 30 December, Dundee Stars take on Fife Flyers at 15:00, before Glasgow Clan face the reigning Motorpoint Elite League champions Belfast Giants at 19.30.

The following day, Hogmanay, will see Glasgow Clan take on Dundee Stars with a new trophy, the Scotia Quaich, at stake.

Tickets will start at £35 for adults, and go up to £45 for seats closer to the rink.

That is dearer than any tickets for games at the Braehead Arena, where the most expensive tickets are £31, or the Dundee Ice Arena, where prices go up to £27.

Season ticket holders for the Clan and Stars - classed as the home teams at the games - will have the games included with those packages.

On social media, many fans expressed excitement at news of the fixtures, but also concerns that it would price out new fans.

One wrote: "Absolutely going to be pricing out casual or new fans who might have taken a punt on seeing their first game".

Another fan added: "I just wish you hadn't had to impose such a high price point. £35-45 a game is wild rise in price, before even considering parking on top of [that]."

Russ Smith, the CEO of Braehead Arena and Glasgow Clan, said tickets remained cheaper than many other events.

He said: "We are creating a major sporting event at the biggest arena in Scotland, to give hockey the platform it deserves.

"This comes at a significant cost in an arena that traditionally does not have ice.

"Our tickets are cheaper than many comparable family or sporting events because we have worked together to make it as affordable as possible for everyone to enjoy the excitement and entertainment of this series of elite hockey."

The news comes just weeks after the Hydro hosted the netball competition at the Commonwealth Games, with organisers saying attendances totalled about 100,000 for the combined fixtures and a sell-out crowd watching the gold medal game.

Debbie McWilliams, the chief commercial officer of the SEC, which includes the OVO Hydro, said: "Glasgow Clan, Dundee Stars and Fife Flyers have passionate and committed fanbases.

"Professional ice hockey is an established and ever-growing sport and we're delighted to give them the opportunity to see their teams compete at the OVO Hydro."

Tony Smith, the chairman of the Motorpoint Elite League, said the Hydro matches would showcase the whole league and help put the sport in front of new audiences.