Ice hockey might not be the first to sport that leaps out at you when talking about sport in the Middle East region.

The United Arab Emirates, more synonymous with desert heat than frozen rinks, seems an unlikely home for ice hockey. But in recent years, hockey has carved out a space in the hearts of both locals and expats, becoming a fast-growing sport that’s pushing boundaries in the Middle East.

How Hockey Came to the UAE

Ice hockey in the UAE began in the early 1990s, with a small group of expats, many of whom were pilots for Emirates Airlines. Mostly from Canada and North America, these pilots, who were accustomed to winter sports, were keen to bring a piece of home to the region. They began playing social games in whatever ice rinks they could find small, often makeshift ones and from then on, the seeds of UAE ice hockey were planted.

Jump to 2009, and ice hockey had started to take a more structured form. That year, the UAE Winter Sports Federation, with the help of other hockey enthusiasts, launched the Emirates Ice Hockey League (EIHL), creating a platform for players to compete in an official capacity. The EIHL marked a significant turning point, helping to formalise the sport and increase its visibility within the country.

But building a sport like ice hockey in Dubai, particularly in a desert nation like the UAE, was no small task. There were no professional ice rinks, and the high cost of equipment and facilities posed major challenges. Hockey remained largely an expat sport for many years, with few local players involved. However, a dedicated group of enthusiasts continued to push forward, determined to bring the sport to a wider audience.

In 2018, Vladimir Burdun, CEO and founder of Emirates Sports Group, took over as the president of the Emirates Ice Hockey League. Under his leadership, the EIHL began to see significant growth. What started as a small, domestic competition aimed at providing local residents with a taste of home began transforming into a more professional, competitive league.

Burdun’s vision for the league was expansive, aiming to position the UAE as a hub for ice hockey in the Gulf region. His efforts paid off. Over time, the league started to attract talent from different countries, raising the overall level of play and creating a multi cultured camaraderie among the players. Importantly, the local player base also began to grow, with more Emiratis taking interest in the sport and joining youth development programs.

“I believe we can create a truly regional league that will be recognized on the international stage”

A critical component of this growth has been the UAE national ice hockey team, which has risen through the ranks to become a serious contender in Asian hockey. The UAE national team, composed of players who were developed largely through the EIHL, have made impressive strides on the international stage. In recent years, they have won three World Championships in different divisions, including placing third in the 2A division of the World Cup in 2023. For a country with no natural association with winter sports, this is a remarkable achievement.

Despite the growth of hockey in the UAE, challenges remain. One of the biggest obstacles is the lack of suitable infrastructure. While there are several ice rinks in the country, many are not built to the standards required for professional ice hockey. This has limited the ability to host major events or provide proper training facilities for players. Additionally, hockey is an expensive sport to maintain. From the gear to the rink costs, it requires significant investment, which can be prohibitive for many aspiring players.

Perhaps the most significant upcoming milestone is the opening of the first professional ice rink in the Middle East, scheduled for December 2024 in Dubai. This state-of-the-art facility will be a game-changer for the sport, providing a world-class venue for both local teams and international competitions. Burdun and the Emirates Ice Hockey League have been instrumental in bringing this project to life, and they believe it will help take the sport to the next level in the UAE.

“The new rink will definitely push the sport forward,” says Burdun. “Right now, we have a top league in Asia, the Emirates Ice Hockey League, but this facility will allow us to host bigger events, attract more international players, and raise the profile of the sport both here and abroad.”

Expanding the League: A GCC-Wide Vision

The opening of the professional rink is just the beginning though. Burdun has even bigger plans for the future of hockey in this region, and they extend far beyond the borders of the UAE. One of the league’s long-term goals is to expand the Emirates Ice Hockey League into a GCC-wide competition, bringing in teams from neighbouring countries like Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, and Oman.

This expansion would be a significant boost for the sport, not only increasing the level of competition but also helping to raise the profile of ice hockey across the Gulf. It would foster regional cooperation and open up new opportunities for players and fans alike. Additionally, such a league would attract more sponsors and investments, which are essential for the continued development of the sport.

Burdun is optimistic about the future, saying, “We hope to see all Middle Eastern countries join us in ice hockey. With more professional rinks and increased awareness, I believe we can create a truly regional league that will be recognized on the international stage.”

For hockey to truly thrive in the UAE, it’s not just about building rinks and leagues—it’s about developing local talent. The Emirates Ice Hockey League and the UAE Winter Sports Federation have both made youth development a priority. Various programs, including youth leagues and training camps, are designed to give young athletes the opportunity to learn from experienced coaches and develop the skills necessary to compete at a high level.

Youth academies and workshops led by international players have been crucial in nurturing the next generation of hockey players. For many of these young athletes, hockey is more than just a sport, it’s a way to connect with a global community and represent their country on the international stage.

“Our goal is to grow the sport from the grassroots up,” explains Burdun. “We need to get kids on the ice early and provide them with the best coaching and facilities so that, in 10 to 15 years, we’ll have a strong base of homegrown talent competing in the league and for the national team.”

The Future of Hockey in the UAE

With the upcoming professional ice rink, the growth of the Emirates Ice Hockey League, and ambitious plans to expand the sport across the GCC, the future of ice hockey in the UAE looks bright.

What started as a small, expat-led initiative in the 1990s has grown into a competitive, professional league with international recognition. The UAE’s success in the sport demonstrates the country’s ability to adapt and excel in unexpected areas, reinforcing its reputation as a rising hub for global sports.

As the ice hockey continues to grow, the UAE will not only provide exciting opportunities for athletes and fans but also contribute to its broader vision of becoming a leading centre for sports excellence in the Middle East.