On 26 February we welcome the Manchester Storm to Ice Arena Wales for our 2022 Pride game – and we couldn’t be happier to once again partner with Pride Cymru for this event.

Now in its fifth year, the Devils’ Pride game will take place on 26 February 2022.

On 26 February we welcome the Manchester Storm to Ice Arena Wales for our 2022 Pride game – and we couldn’t be happier to once again partner with Pride Cymru for this event.

After switching to a virtual event in 2021, this will be our first live Pride game since January 2020.

There’s often a perception that sport isn’t an inclusive environment, but that couldn’t be further from the truth for Cardiff Devils match nights. We at the Cardiff Devils really do believe that hockey is for everyone. And It’s not just a catchy slogan either.

And this inclusivity isn’t just for Pride weekend either. You’ll often see rainbow flags waving proudly in Block 13 (the standing block).

“As an organisation, the Devils have led the way for supporting inclusivity in sport. We were the first Elite League team to host a Pride game back in 2017, and we’ve always made sure that the Devils community is one that’s welcoming and inclusive to everyone,” says Cardiff Devils Managing Director, Todd Kelman.

“For years, sport like ice hockey has been seen as a testosterone-fuelled, manly game. But, as an organisation, we want our fan base to be inclusive, and we want to show that sport really is for everyone.

“Our Pride game is a symbol of this inclusivity, and you can expect to experience it at every Devils match night.

“Attitudes have changes in recent years, and the Devils are proud to have created an inclusive, accepting, and safe experience for every fan – whether they belong to the LGBTQ+ community or not.”

Pride Cymru’s Chair and Legal Director, Gian Molinu, couldn’t agree more.

“The annual Cardiff Devils Pride game has become something that, as an organisation, we look forward to getting involved with every year.

“There is a misconception that sport is not generally inclusive, and we are really proud of the message that the Cardiff Devils are promoting… that ice hockey is a game that welcomes everyone.

“We’ve had some really touching stories from LGBT+ people of all ages expressing how happy they were to be able to attend a game in an environment that was so welcoming and friendly.

“We had a message from a young bi man saying that the 2020 game was the first live sport event that he has ever attended with his father. We also heard from a lesbian couple to say that they never thought they could go to any sort of game without feeling nervous. They said that they felt very safe and didn’t expect the fans to be as welcoming and engaging as they were and that they didn’t feel judged for holding hands at the game.

“A simple thing as not feeling comfortable enough to hold hands with your partner at a game is something that puts some within the LGBT+ community off from going to see a live game. We hope that the response shown to the Pride game acts as an example for other sporting teams to recognise that more needs to be done to ensure that marginalised members of our communities can go and enjoy a game and not feel excluded.

“Live sporting events should be something that can be enjoyed by anybody, no matter your gender, sexuality or race.”