Eisstadion am Pferdeturm

The Eisstadion am Pferdeturm sits where the old city defences once stood. The name comes straight from the horse tower, a medieval watchpoint that still stands nearby and gives the ground its identity. It opened in 1959 as a simple, open-air rink before a roof went up in 1978.

What you see when you walk up to it is a low building. A banner above the main gate reads 'Hannover ist Indianerland'. The roof is a single, heavy curve over the stands, and it is open at one end, meaning the wind comes through on winter evenings. The seating is tight, with rows of dark plastic chairs pressed close to the boards. You can see the glass protecting the fans and the advertising hoardings that have been there for years.

The Indians have played on this ice since the beginning. They are the only team to call it home. The club's presence is permanent, visible in the official banners that hang outside and the history written into the renovated structure. The building saw changes in 2004 and again between 2014 and 2017, when new operators took over and focused on the technical side of the place. They replaced the seating and updated the facilities, but the shape of the arena is unchanged. The artificial surface is the standard for the league, but the location is not. The arena is located at Am Pferdeturm 7, tucked away from the main roads. Fans who come here know the way by the tower, not by a map. The idea of moving the club to a new arena has been discussed many times, but nothing has happened. The Indians remain in the old building, and the people who support them continue to fill the seats under the curved roof.