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Date: 1937 Type: Skating Rink Style: Industrial Archaeology : Engineered Status: Adaptive re-use   Click to view large map Coordinates: 26°13'55.88" S 28°02'36.27" E Alt: 1720m

The Wembley Ice Rink in Springfield, Johannesburg, established in 1937, was a premier South African skating venue and the first International Skating Union (ISU) member in Africa. It hosted popular semi-professional ice hockey leagues in the 1960s/70s, serving as a hub for international players, before closing in 1976. Following the success of an ice rink at the 1936 Empire Exhibition, the permanent Wembley Ice Rink was constructed in Springfield, utilizing refrigeration equipment from the exhibition. Businessman Hymie Sofer bought the rink in 1964, investing heavily in upgrades. During the late 1960s and early 1970s, the rink was a focal point for South African ice hockey. It held packed, often sold-out matches, sometimes hosting 3,000 spectators on Tuesday nights. Due to its winter season (March–September) aligning with the off-season in Europe and North America, the rink attracted many international players from Sweden, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and Canada. The sports boycott of the Apartheid years lead to its loss of international popularity. After 39 years of operation the rink closed in August 1976 as its machinery needed replacement. The building was later damaged by fire in the 1980s. (Google AI aggregated facts, edited). 2026: Currently Wembley Stadium - The Home of Basketball.