Back in October we asked for your opinions in the biggest ever European Ice Hockey Fan Survery. The results were presented to the CHL Shareholders yesterday and can now be finally revealed.
Over 21,000 fans across Europe answered the survey in 15 countries, making it the biggest survey of the European ice hockey fanbase in history. The key findings are hugely positive for the CHL, and show that the CHL and its clubs’ investment into the sport is reflected in a strong and positive relationship between European ice hockey fans and the CHL.
You can find out more form the survey in our Season Review booklet.
Key findings
1. Ice hockey fans are young and digitally savvy
Responses from the survey showed the profile of the hockey fan to be younger than the European population, with 74% of fans under 45. Around 7 in 10 fans are car owners. Fans are deeply knowledgeable about the game, with more than a quarter playing at some level. They nearly all show their passion through attending live games (92% of respondents were current attendees), but they are also avid consumers of ice hockey online: the average fan spends more than 6.5 hours a week watching, reading and enjoying ice hockey content online.
2. CHL fans are coming to watch live action
The vast majority of survey respondents (around 80%) said they attend CHL games live at arenas across Europe. In a world where sports fans have an ever-increasing amount of entertainment options competing for their time and attention, CHL games are providing a strong enough entertainment product to continue to draw in crowds.
3. The CHL offers some of Europe’s highest-quality sport
The survey found that ice hockey fans love the CHL for two main reasons: watching the best teams in Europe from different countries compete, and seeing the best hockey players from around Europe playing alongside, and against, each other.
4. Stadium atmosphere is critical to the live experience
Of all CHL fans who watch games in-person, 95% said atmosphere in the arena was an important contributing factor to their enjoyment of attending, with the majority rating the CHL atmosphere as above average on a sliding scale.
5. The majority of CHL fans see themselves as Innovators
A segmentation of fans, according to their survey responses, found that the majority of CHL fans can be classed as Innovators – fans for whom ice hockey has always been a big part of their life, and are keen to see the game grow by supporting the CHL in innovative plans and new ideas.