According to the 2025 ROLLER Benchmark Report, party guests return at nearly double the rate of non-party guests. That means every birthday or group celebration is more than just a one-off event, it’s the start of a long-term relationship with your rink.
For operators, this is a great opportunity. By creating compelling party packages, you can deliver unforgettable experiences for families and groups, set up repeat visits, and increase guest loyalty and spend. Done right, parties can quickly become one of the most profitable parts of your business.
In this guide, we’ll explore how to design irresistible skating rink party packages, streamline the booking process, and turn first-time party guests into returning skaters.
Why parties are a goldmine for roller skating rinks
Parties are one of the most powerful revenue drivers for roller skating rinks. ROLLER’s Benchmark Report shows that 46.1% of party guests return to the venue for another visit, nearly double the return rate of non-party guests (21.8%).
Party groups also tend to spend significantly more per visit ($20, compared to $13.90 for non-party guests). And with an average of 12.6 guests per party booking, these events consistently generate larger transactions and greater per-session revenue.
Parties also act as built-in marketing events for your venue. Every celebration introduces your rink to new guests—siblings, classmates, parents, and friends who might not have visited otherwise. With the right experience, those first-timers can quickly become repeat skaters or even future party hosts themselves.
When you position parties as more than a one-off booking, they become a growth engine. Higher spend, larger groups, stronger return rates, and free word-of-mouth exposure all add up to make parties a cornerstone strategy for any rink looking to scale.
Designing skating rink party packages guests can’t resist
Now that you know how impactful parties can be, it’s time to design packages that make booking and celebrating at your rink irresistible.
The most successful party packages strike a balance between convenience, fun, and value. Guests want a stress-free experience, while operators need packages that deliver strong margins and repeat business. The good news? With the right inclusions, you can design parties that make everyone happy.
Start with the essentials: admission and skate rental should always be included as a foundation of your packages. From there, layer on extras that elevate the experience. A private party room or reserved space gives groups a home base to celebrate, while food and beverage options keep everyone energized. Adding a dedicated party host ensures events run smoothly, freeing up parents to relax and enjoy the day.
When it comes to pricing, the key is perceived value. Packages should feel like a deal while still being profitable. Offer multiple tiers—such as Basic, Premium, and Deluxe—so families can choose based on their budget. By presenting a range of options, you’ll appeal to cost-conscious parents while giving others the chance to upgrade for a premium experience.
Skating rink party themes that attract guests
Once your packages are built, creative theming helps them stand out and appeal to a wider range of guests. Offer themed party options that celebrate skating culture and make each event feel one-of-a-kind.
- Glow-in-the-dark or neon parties: Blacklights, glowing décor, and neon accessories can transform your rink into a high-energy party zone.
- Retro skate party: Lean into nostalgia with classic hits, disco balls, and old-school skate vibes that parents love as much as kids.
- Costume skate party: Encourage guests to dress up (for example, as superheroes, favorite characters, or for themed decades) for an extra layer of fun.
- Seasonal or holiday parties: Halloween, Christmas, Valentine’s, or summer kick-off events create even more reasons for families or groups to celebrate.
Each theme can be woven into your marketing campaigns and used as a natural upsell opportunity for add-ons like party favors, branded activity placemats, upgraded skates, extended rink time, or arcade credits. These themed extras delight guests while boosting your average party revenue.
Maximizing party revenue with upsells and add-ons
Upsells and add-ons can transform a standard party into a premium experience—while boosting your bottom line. They should feel like exciting enhancements that make parties easier to plan and more memorable for families.
Consider bundling popular extras together, like food, drinks, and arcade credits, to create simple packages. You can also offer premium seating or party room upgrades, giving families the chance to enjoy more space and privacy. And don’t forget about merchandise like custom T-shirts, glow gear, or water bottles that make fun keepsakes and add incremental revenue.
Read more: Maximize Revenue with Smart Upselling: A Comprehensive Guide for Attraction Venues
Streamlining the booking process with digital tools
Once your party packages are ready, the next step is to make booking them effortless. Parents and organizers are busy—they want to plan everything online, at their convenience, without phone calls or delays. If the party booking process feels slow or complicated, they’ll look elsewhere. That’s why seamless, self-service digital booking tools are essential.
Digital tools help simplify the journey from inquiry to confirmation, reducing friction for guests and saving your staff hours of manual admin. They also create a better experience overall—one that’s flexible, self-service, and available 24/7.
Here are some tools and features that make the biggest impact:
- Online booking and checkout: Let guests browse packages, choose their preferred date and time, and pay, all in one smooth, mobile-friendly flow.
- Built-in upsells and add-ons: Present upgrade options like food, drinks, or arcade credits during checkout so guests can personalize their celebration with ease.
- Self-service party management: Give hosts the ability to manage invitations, RSVPs, waivers, and even make changes to their booking online—no phone calls required.
- Automated communications: Use confirmations, reminders, and thank-you emails to keep guests informed and engaged before and after their event.
- Flexible payment options: Offer a variety of payment options including digital wallets and Buy Now Pay Later services.
- Analytics and reporting: Track party bookings, average spend, and performance trends to see what’s working and where you can grow.
By combining these tools, you can reduce your workload and booking friction while creating a modern, guest-friendly experience that drives more conversions and repeat visits.
ROLLER’s skating rink software offers all of these capabilities in one easy-to-use platform. From booking and payments to guest communication and analytics, it helps you manage your entire party program in one place, so you can focus on what matters most: creating great experiences for your guests.
Converting one-time party guests into repeat customers
A party booking shouldn’t be the end of the guest relationship—it should be the beginning. The Benchmark Report shows that party guests return at nearly double the rate of regular visitors, which makes your follow-up strategy even more important for turning party guests into loyal customers.
One of the most effective tactics is to offer exclusive post-party deals, such as discounted passes or membership trials, to encourage guests to come back soon. A simple follow-up email with a thank-you message and booking incentive can go a long way toward keeping your rink top of mind.
You can also create organic buzz by making it easy for families to share their experiences. Encourage guests to post about their visit with a branded hashtag, themed photo backdrops, or quick social prompts that make sharing effortless. Behind the scenes, guest data from party bookings (like emails, ages, and preferences) can fuel future marketing campaigns, helping you promote events, memberships, or special offers to guests who already know and love your rink.
With the right follow-up and engagement, every party can become the start of a long-term relationship, and a community of loyal skaters who keep coming back.
Measuring success and improving your party program
Great party programs don’t just happen once—they evolve with data and guest feedback. By tracking key metrics such as booking trends, average spend per party, return rates, and which packages or upsells perform best, rink operators can identify what’s working and where there’s room to grow. This data provides the foundation for smarter decisions around pricing, inclusions, and promotions.
Equally important is listening to your guests. Collecting post-party feedback through quick surveys, online reviews, or follow-up emails can reveal valuable insights into what families loved and what they’d like to see improved. Small adjustments, like tweaking food options or adding new décor themes, can make a big impact on future bookings.
The future of parties at your rink
A well-designed party program is one of the most powerful tools roller skating rinks can use to grow revenue, attract new guests, and build lasting loyalty. Parties deliver higher spend, bigger groups, and repeat visits at nearly double the rate of regular guests, making them a foundation for long-term rink success.
With ROLLER, you have all the tools to manage and optimize parties in one place.
Ready to unlock your rink’s full potential? Book a demo today and learn how ROLLER can help you increase party bookings and keep your party guests coming back for more.
Read next: The Ultimate Guide to Choosing Roller Skating Rink Software
.png)
.png)
