The last couple of years have seen an unprecedented number of exciting and unprecedented events in the world of sports. From the ongoing pandemic that has affected almost every sport to the emergence of a new sport, competitive eatery or drink brand, 2020 has truly been an exceptional year for sports fans!
However, one notable exception has been the hockey world, particularly the world of ice hockey. While there have been some exciting hockey events – such as the return of the ice hockey world cup after a five-year hiatus, the formation of the National Hockey League of Russia (RHL), and the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL)’s expansion to include a number of Russian teams), the overall trend has been one of decline. There are now fewer people playing hockey, and many of those who are playing are having a hard time finding enough ice time to keep themselves active.
Is this just a blip on the radar, or has hockey really taken a nosedive in Russia? Let’s take a quick look.
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The Demographics Of Russia’s Hockey Enthusiasts
One of the major reasons why hockey has seen such dramatic decline in Russia is because the sport is mostly played by older generations. Back in the 2010s, hockey was seen as a “masculine sport” and as a result, was mostly played by men. Typically, ice hockey’s traditional audience was made up of factory workers, office employees, and military personnel. Since the start of this year, many younger people have gotten involved in the sport; however, most of them have either been playing recreationally or in youth leagues, rather than professionally.
A large portion of Russia’s hockey population is made up of people over the age of 45. It’s not just that most of Russia’s hockey fans are old, it’s that they grew up with the sport. According to the International Ice Hockey Federation (FIH), there were 3.48 million registered hockey players as of June 2021. That breaks down to 1.58 million men and 1.39 million women. The majority of those players were between the ages of 15 and 29.
The Sport Is No Longer Seen As A Male-Dominant Activity
Back in the day, the majority of hockey players were indeed men. However, that is no longer the case, as the demographic of ice hockey players has actually shifted to become more and more gender equal.
Based on the latest figures from the International Ice Hockey Federation (FIH), there were 1.58 million registered hockey players as of June 2021. That breaks down to 1.17 million men and 1.41 million women. The number of players has increased by 16% compared to figures from the year before. It is also worth noting that in 2022, there were 16,000 players registered with the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) across all genders.
The growth in the number of female players is even more impressive when you consider that a lot of the women playing hockey are in Russia, which has the second-largest population of any country in the world, and one of the most well-established hockey cultures. In general, there is now less of a divide between hockey players based on gender, with more people seeing the sport as a truly inclusive and welcoming activity.
Is The Weather To Blame For The Decline In Russia?
Another reason why hockey has seen such a significant decline in Russia is simply because of the weather. Back in the 2010s, Russia was regularly hitting double digits above zero degrees, which gave birth to the winter sport. Typically, the winter months in Russia are pretty cold, which means there is plenty of ice for the game. However, in recent years, the temperatures have been steadily increasing, which has made it more difficult for fans and players alike to find ice skating rinks.
In 2019, a whopping 23% of Russia’s 10 largest cities did not have an ice rink within their boundaries. For context, this was up from 8% in 2017. The situation is likely to get worse in the coming years as the country is set for even harsher winters.
Even when there is ice available, it can be difficult for fans to get to games. Many arenas and stadiums do not have direct transportation links, which forces fans to rely on personal vehicles to get around. During the winter months, this can be extremely hazardous, especially in areas where the roads are snow-covered or just really, really slippery. If you add a few more inches to the snow, then it becomes practically impossible to drive a car.
However, it should be noted that during the winter months in Russia, hockey is still played. It just might be that some of the games are held behind closed doors, or are only played when the teams have a lot of mutual respect for each other. Still, it’s clear that the sport is not enjoyed by everyone, which is a problem considering its popularity in Russia.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
To prove that the figures don’t lie, here are a few other interesting stats.