Pride Week will return to the Elite League in 2022-23, with every club set to participate in the event.
Penned in the calendar for 20-27 January 2023, the upcoming celebration is the third of its kind in Elite League history.
“Our fans showed us at the Playoff Finals Weekend back in 2019 how important it is to them that our sport celebrates inclusion and diversity, which led to our first Pride Weekend in 2020,” said EIHL media and communications manager Luke Fisher.
Sam Duggan, Cardiff Devils (Image: Hayley Roberts)
“We made a very clear commitment then that we wanted to promote the message that ice hockey is a safe space for LGBTQ+ athletes and fans alike, and were able to celebrate that message with fans in areas again in 2021/22.
“Every year both us and our partners are blown away by how much our fans support this initiative and we can’t wait for Pride Weekend 2023”.
After teaming up with You Can Play and Pride Tape last season, the Elite League will announce its partners for 2022-23 Pride Week in due course.
You Can Play was founded in 2012 by Patrick Burke, Brian Kitts, and Glenn Witman to combat homophobia in sports. Pride Tape, meanwhile, has partnered with several high profile leagues to “promote diversity, equality and inclusion through sport”.
2022-23 Elite League Pride Week Fixtures:
Friday 20.01
Glasgow Clan vs. Nottingham Panthers
Cardiff Devils vs. Belfast Giants
Saturday 21.01
Guildford Flames vs. Cardiff Devils
Nottingham Panthers vs. Belfast Giants
Manchester Storm vs. Dundee Stars
Sheffield Steelers vs. Glasgow Clan
Fife Flyers vs. Coventry Blaze
Sunday 22.01
Sheffield Steelers vs. Manchester Storm
Dundee Stars vs. Fife Flyers
Coventry Blaze vs. Guildford Flames
Friday 27.01
Belfast Giants vs. Sheffield Steelers
Glasgow Clan vs. Guildford Flames
Nottingham Panthers vs. Dundee Stars
Teams with two home fixtures during this window will nominate one or both as Pride Night(s).
