Ice hockey drawing larger crowds with the help of shows like Heated Rivalry

Ice hockey, a sport often considered niche in sun-drenched Australia, is experiencing a significant surge in popularity, drawing larger crowds across the nation. This growth is being amplified by a wave of ice hockey-related media content gaining global traction, including shows like HBO Max's 'Heated Rivalry' and Amazon Prime Video's 'Off Campus'. Neil Pretorius, a defenceman for the Brisbane Lightning in the Australian Ice Hockey League (AIHL), attributes the sport's appeal to its "speed and intensity." He highlights the rapid movement of the puck and players, noting, "there's no other sport where you're flying around like that. You're skating way faster than you can run." Founded in 2000 with just three teams, the AIHL has since expanded to 10 teams, featuring 280 players across various Australian states and territories. While the league operates independently from Ice Hockey Australia, it is largely privately funded. Pretorius notes that the Brisbane Lightning team, founded in 2023, is seeing increased international fan engagement through streams and social media. "The more people, the louder it is in the rink, and the louder it is in the rink the more energy we get while playing," he said. General Manager Ivan Rapchuk confirmed the team's success, stating they are on track for a sellout season, with crowds growing from "giving tickets away" to "turning people away at the door." AIHL chairman Dan Hogan added that similar growth is observed nationwide, partly fueled by increased coverage of ice hockey during the 2026 Winter Olympics.

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How fast the puck moves and how fast we move … there's no other sport where you're flying around like that. You're skating way faster than you can run.