Ice hockey thriller on giant takeaway rink

Sports fans will be treated to a North American-style stadium show at Vector Arena in July. Photo / Supplied

A 250,000-litre portable ice rink will be used for an exhibition ice hockey game between Canadian and American players at the Vector Arena in downtown Auckland on July 23.

Promoter Craig Douglas, of Douglas Webber Events, said the rink would be imported from Europe for three shows at a cost of $4.2 million. The 60m by 30m rink was the largest of its kind in the world.

It would pack into nine containers to be taken to venues at Christchurch and Dunedin.

Mr Douglas said 50 staff would set up the rink.

Its floor would take 48 hours to lay, and keeping it groomed to hockey standards would cost $2000 a day.

The tour would be led by Colorado Avalanche defender Kyle Quincey, a veteran of more than 500 top league games.

Sports fans would be treated to a North American-style stadium show with sound and lighting effects, pyrotechnics and flame throwers.

The games are not sanctioned by the International Ice Hockey Federation.