Why Ice Hockey Has a Growing Audience in Ireland
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The popularity of hockey, of course, cannot be compared to the Irish love for Gaelic games, soccer, and rugby, but in recent years it has seen unprecedented growth. The number of fans attending games and following the competitions is increasing, as is the number of players trying their hand at the sport. There are several reasons for this surge in interest in hockey in Ireland, which we will explore in this article.
The unexpected rise of ice hockey in Ireland
The premier winter sport, which originated in Canada and has long been popular in Europe, remained a niche sport in Ireland for a long time. But it seems it's time to step off the bench.
From niche sport to a steadily growing fan base
For decades, the hockey game remained in the shadows due to a lack of ice rinks and players, as well as limited media coverage of games. Over the past five years, the situation has changed significantly thanks to the expansion of youth programs, the influence of the Belfast Giants, the national team’s international successes, and regular game broadcasts. Given that hockey is not something distant and unfamiliar, but a game that closely resembles the native sport of hurling, the result was not long in coming. This exciting sport has developed an active fan base that continues to grow.
Increased exposure through international leagues and broadcasts
Since 2016, thousands of Irish fans have been able to watch live broadcasts, game replays, and highlights on digital platforms and specialized sports channels. For example, local games and British ice hockey can now be found on YouTube, Premier Sports, and Elite League TV. Meanwhile, NHL games, Champions Hockey League matches, and all kinds of international games can now be watched on IIHF.TV, NHL.TV and DAZN IE. The availability of these broadcasts has significantly boosted the popularity of hockey and introduced the sport to many people who had never set foot in an ice arena before.
The influence of the Belfast Giants
The Belfast Giants and the Elite Ice Hockey League—in which the team competes against opponents from England, Scotland, and Wales—have become the main driving force behind the popularity of Irish hockey.
A successful club attracting thousands of fans
The Belfast Giants are the only professional hockey team in Northern Ireland and one of the most popular teams in the British league. Their influence has played a major role in popularizing ice hockey. And it’s not just about the numerous victories and trophies: from the very beginning, the Giants have adhered to a policy that their games are a place where everyone is welcome and where there is no room for division. They bring together people who love sports, allowing them to gather in a safe and friendly atmosphere.
Their home games, held at the SSE Arena in Belfast, consistently draw at least 6,000+ spectators; moreover, the 11,000-seat arena is often filled with loyal fans. The team already has over 2,600 season ticket holders.
How Elite League games boosted interest across the island
The Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL) hosts 54 regular-season games, playoffs, and Challenge Cup matches each season, including home games at the Belfast Giants’ arena and away games for the Irish teams. They attract an impressive audience for a minority sport: several thousand spectators, as well as online viewers.
The popularity of Elite League games is growing thanks to the improving quality of players and the rising level of play. In recent years, many EIHL teams have been joined by professional players from North America and Europe. In addition, British players are increasingly training abroad, then putting their newly acquired experience to use in the local league. Exciting games, ticket prices that are affordable compared to soccer, and the EIHL’s active promotion on social media are attracting more and more fans to hockey.
Similarities to traditional Irish sports
Perhaps, the global popularity of hockey wouldn’t have had such a strong impact on the island’s residents if chasing the puck on the ice didn’t remind them of traditional Irish sports.
Speed and physicality comparable to hurling
Hurling—an ancient sport played in the region since Celtic times—is ingrained in every Irish person’s DNA. Hundreds of thousands of people play it at the professional level as well as in local communities, clubs, and schools, and perhaps nothing is celebrated here with as much joy as a victory by a favorite team in the All-Ireland Senior Championship.
At their core, hurling and hockey game are very similar: they are the most dynamic and high-speed stick-and-ball or stick-and-puck games, requiring physical strength and skill from the players. Moreover, there is a theory that ice hockey originated from this traditional Irish pastime, which was brought to Canada by immigrants.
Why Irish fans quickly connect with the style of play
Fans are drawn to the style of playing ice hockey not only because of hurling, but also due to the popularity of field hockey. More than 144,000 adults and children participate in this sport nationwide. In addition, the hockey national team for field hockey successfully competes in international tournaments and even the Olympic Games.
The Irish love these two traditional games for their speed, strategy, skill, and teamwork—and, most importantly, for the thrilling moments that keep spectators on the edge of their seats until the very end. Thanks to the unique surface, ice hockey games provide fans with even more excitement and enjoyment as they watch the players literally fly across the rink.
Grassroots programs and local development
The Irish are not only following hockey games more closely, but are also taking to the ice more often, thanks to numerous grassroots initiatives developed by the Irish Ice Hockey Association.
Youth leagues and amateur teams are expanding participation
Junior and senior hockey programs are available nationwide, allowing participants to simply play for fun and feel part of a team or build a real hockey career. To this end, Belfast, Dublin, Cork, and Kilkenny have youth and amateur clubs with skilled coaches dedicated to developing talent.
Promising players have a wide range of opportunities ahead of them. Young players can compete with local teams, represent Ireland internationally, or join the Junior Belfast Giants and play in the Scottish Junior Ice Hockey League. These prospects are attracting more and more people eager to test their skills on the ice.
The role of the Irish Ice Hockey Association
The Irish Ice Hockey Association (IIHA), which governs the sport in the country, plays a leading role in the development of grassroots initiatives. Under its umbrella, there are 10 league clubs and 3 non-league clubs that welcome beginners of all ages and skill levels. The association organizes tournaments, training sessions, and exhibition games for them.
The IIHA also has its own youth hockey center—the TITANS Ice Hockey Academy—which trains children aged 10 to 18. In addition, the association allows talented young hockey players to continue their professional development and join the IIHA Saints youth national team, which competes in the United States, Canada, South Korea, and other countries.
International exposure and community growth
The success of the national teams, the growth of women’s hockey, and the influence of international players also contribute to raising the profile of Irish clubs abroad and expanding their loyal fan base at home.
Irish national teams gaining attention abroad
Although Irish national teams are unable to qualify for most tournaments due to a lack of ice rinks in the country, the Irish Ice Hockey Association is constantly working to ensure that teams can compete. And the country regularly achieves strong results. For example, in 2024, Ireland achieved an international success—the national team won gold at the IIHF Cup in Slovakia, defeating Portugal, Greece, Colombia, Argentina, and Brazil.
The Belfast Giants also compete on the world stage. At the 2018/2019 Continental Cup, the team reached the final and finished in second place, while Darcy Murphy became one of the top scorers. And in the 2025/2026 season, the Giants qualified for the Champions Hockey League—Europe’s premier ice hockey tournament. Such international competitions, along with the fact that the Giants consistently rank among the top European clubs in terms of game attendance, are gaining attention abroad.
Women’s hockey and international player influence
The prestige of Irish hockey is also rising thanks to the successes of women’s teams. Irish women’s hockey players compete on equal footing with men in the national league and participate in international competitions. For example, in 2022 and 2023, the Irish women’s national team qualified for the IIHF Women’s Development Cup, and in 2024, they reached the playoff semifinals. Such achievements attract public attention.
In addition, the global popularity of hockey teams is increasing the signing of contracts with international players who have proven themselves in the U.S. A prime example of this is the Belfast Giants, who feature several top players from the United States, Canada, and Italy, generating interest in the club among sports fans in those countries.
Infrastructure and the future of the sport
The sports community is optimistic: the coming decade is expected to bring further growth in ice hockey, an increase in the number of new local players, and a significant expansion of the fan base. The sport has every chance of stepping out of soccer’s shadow, and Irish teams could achieve international success—but this will require greater media coverage of games and improved infrastructure.
How Irish fans follow ice hockey today
The Belfast Giants currently have the most dedicated fan base: they have both the official Giants OSC fan club with its own website and the Unofficial Supporters Club Teal Empire, which has a Facebook page. Fans attend the team’s games at their home arena, watch live streams of matches, listen to the club’s official podcast, A View From The Bridge, and follow its official website and social media accounts. For example, 60,400 people read the Giants’ posts on X, and they have 86,000 followers on Facebook.
IIHA teams also have a small community that attends games, buys merchandise, and follows updates on the association’s Facebook page, which currently has 8,400 followers. But there could be many more fans in Ireland if hockey were given more airtime in sports media.
New rink projects and better training facilities
The main obstacle to the development and popularization of hockey is that Ireland is the only European country without its own ice arena that meets Olympic standards. Since the closure of the Dundalk Ice Dome, local players have had to travel for hours to train at the Dundonald International Ice Rink in County Down, Northern Ireland. By comparison, British ice hockey teams have access to 66 rinks across the UK.
Discussions about new rinks and training facilities have been ongoing for over 10 years, and it seems the project has finally gained momentum. Prime Arena Holdings has applied for planning permission to build the first permanent ice complex, consisting of two professional rinks. If all goes well, an arena for the national team and other IIHA teams could open within the next five years.
How could improved infrastructure accelerate popularity?
The construction of its own Olympic-standard complex and local rinks for local clubs could completely transform Irish hockey. This would allow teams to qualify for international tournaments, as well as train and host matches at home. The sport will become more visible to the local community. The quality of play will improve, more trophies will be won, and hockey, in turn, will receive more media coverage.
Additionally, thanks to better training facilities, the opportunities for hockey schools and clubs will expand: more people will play hockey, and new local stars will emerge from among both Irish nationals and immigrants. All of this will significantly increase the popularity of hockey and propel it into the ranks of the most beloved sports in Ireland.
