Riverbank Arena Stadium
Temporary Olympic hockey stadium in London’s Olympic Park
A former Olympic field hockey venue in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Riverbank Arena hosted the 2012 Games; visitors to the park now use surrounding sports facilities, open space and the London Stadium precinct.
Riverbank Arena at a Glance#
Address: Riverbank Arena / Lee Valley Hockey & Tennis Centre, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London (E20)
Website: https://www.visitleevalley.org.uk/activities/lee-valley-hockey-and-tennis-centre
Hours: Facility hours and public access vary by event - Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park site.
Admission: Spectator events ticketed; public access to the parkland is free. Facility hire/booking fees apply.
About Riverbank Arena#
Riverbank Arena was a temporary field hockey stadium built in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford, east London for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. It was constructed specifically to host the Games’ hockey competitions and associated events.
During the 2012 Games the venue had an expanded spectator capacity achieved with temporary stands; it was sited close to the Olympic Stadium and other purpose-built venues to form the Games park. After the Olympics the arena’s temporary elements were removed or repurposed as part of the park’s post-Games legacy planning.
The facility was built in 2011-2012 as part of the wider Olympic Park development and used for international hockey matches during the Games. Its temporary design meant it was not retained in the same form after the event.
Geographically the arena was located in Stratford in East London within the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park development, adjacent to other 2012 venues and transport links at Stratford International and Stratford stations.
- Event use: Located within the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, it was a purpose-built, temporary venue for the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games and hosted field hockey tournaments.
How to Get to Riverbank Arena#
Riverbank Arena was located within Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford, east London. The park is served by Stratford station (Central and Jubilee Underground lines, DLR, London Overground and National Rail services) and Stratford International; from Stratford station the Olympic Park is a 10-15 minute walk through the park entrances.
Tips for Visiting Riverbank Arena#
- Arrive via Stratford station (or the nearby DLR stops) and check event schedules in advance - the arena area is often closed or busy during matches and community events.
- Visit on non‑event days to walk the surrounding Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park spaces and get clear photos of the arena footprint; pairing the visit with nearby attractions (ArcelorMittal Orbit, London Aquatics Centre) avoids coming only for the arena itself.
Best Time to Visit Riverbank Arena#
Visit outside major events and on weekdays for the quietest experience; summer event season and weekends are the busiest times.
Weather & Climate near Riverbank Arena#
Riverbank Arena's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 2°C to 23°C. Moderate rainfall (612 mm/year), distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | 2° - 8° | 2° | 61 mm | overcast | 93% | 4.3 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.2h |
| February | Acceptable | 2° - 8° | 2° | 38 mm | overcast | 90% | 4.2 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.8h |
| March | Acceptable | 3° - 11° | 4° | 46 mm | overcast | 86% | 4.3 m/s | 0.4 low | 11.7h |
| April | Acceptable | 5° - 13° | 7° | 44 mm | overcast | 81% | 4.0 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 13.7h |
| May | Good | 8° - 18° | 13° | 47 mm | overcast | 79% | 3.9 m/s | 1.2 high | 15.4h |
| June | Good | 11° - 21° | 16° | 53 mm | overcast | 78% | 3.5 m/s | 1.4 high | 16.3h |
| July | Very Good | 13° - 23° | 18° | 41 mm | overcast | 76% | 3.5 m/s | 1.4 high | 15.9h |
| August | Very Good | 13° - 23° | 18° | 48 mm | overcast | 78% | 3.4 m/s | 1.1 high | 14.4h |
| September | Good | 11° - 19° | 15° | 56 mm | overcast | 81% | 3.5 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 12.5h |
| October | Acceptable | 8° - 15° | 11° | 60 mm | overcast | 87% | 3.6 m/s | 0.3 low | 10.5h |
| November | Acceptable | 4° - 11° | 5° | 60 mm | overcast | 92% | 3.7 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.7h |
| December | Poor | 3° - 9° | 3° | 58 mm | overcast | 94% | 3.9 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.7h |
