The TV show Heated Rivalry has brought UK ice hockey into the spotlight, turning actors Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams into household names almost overnight.
Based on Rachel Reid’s bestselling books, the series tells the story of two rival ice hockey players who fall for each other off the rink, creating a dramatic and forbidden romance. The show has already attracted huge audiences in the US and Canada, where ice hockey is a popular sport, and now it’s gaining fans across the UK.
Pop culture often boosts interest in hobbies and sports. For example, Stranger Things revived Dungeons and Dragons, and Game of Thrones increased tourism to its real-world filming locations. Similarly, Heated Rivalry has encouraged more people to explore ice hockey.Despite this surge in interest, the sport faces major obstacles in the UK.
“It’s become one of the biggest professional sports in the country,” Staelens told Newsbeat. “But it’s been managed like an amateur club for too long due to funding issues.”
Clubs are struggling to accommodate new players, with waiting lists for teams growing longer. Staelens highlights that the biggest challenge is the shortage of ice rinks and limited ice time. The UK has around 60 rinks for roughly 14,000 registered players, and demand continues to rise. He estimates player numbers could grow 10% annually if more facilities were available.
Running an ice rink is expensive, costing about £40,000 a month in energy alone. Many rinks prioritize public skating sessions, which are more profitable than hosting hockey teams.
GB women’s ice hockey captain Jodie Alderson-Smith, 31, agrees that access to ice time is a major challenge. Ice hockey is highly inclusive, which may explain its growing appeal among women. The show has already shown that pop culture can boost interest in niche sports.
