Which is more popular in Russia?

[mbenga]

Ice hockey or Basketball?
I had an argument with a friend about this issue and i'd like to know the opinion of the indigenous.

In terms of tradition, attendance in the games, tv viewvership, etc...
Also there's any other sport more popular than any of those besides football?
tennis, artistic ice skating, athletics?

[raph]

You kinda forgot volleyball ( speaking of tradition, this is prolly the team sport that awarded the most russia in the last decades along with ice hockey) and even handball
They also play rugby and are even competitive for the 7 players/team rugby (which is the one that could become a new olympic sport)

Nevertheless ice hockey league should prolly be the most popular along with football.

[Mayo]

Ice hockey for sure

[Levenspiel]

Last year I was in Russia for two months from May to June, and my experience tells me it's ice hokey, and it's more popular by far. There was a world ice hokey cup or something like that, Euroleague F4, and NBA finals during that time. While the whole place was banging with chants during hokey games, it was only me and a few non-Russians who would watch the others...

[ArkadiosV2]

No doubt ice hockey.

[robsam]

Well, There is no point for asking this question " which is more popular ?" We all know that Russians play Ice Hockey. They love it more than any other game, even if it is Rugby or Basketball.
Further, here is the top 5 list for sports in Russia.

1. Football
2. Ice Hockey
3. Tennis
4. F1 Race
5. Basketball

[Delibasic]

hokej na ledu (ice hockey, no doubt)

[sinobball]

There was a world ice hokey cup or something like that, Euroleague F4, and NBA finals during that time.

Not into ice hockey, but I know the American NHL finals are about the same time as NBA finals every year, and there are many Russians in NHL. Not sure if that's what you saw though.

[Mindozas]

Not into ice hockey, but I know the American NHL finals are about the same time as NBA finals every year, and there are many Russians in NHL. Not sure if that's what you saw though.

I'd guess it's IIHF World Championship. It's held around that period every year and whole Russia is crazy about it. Not all the best players plays there cause of NHL play-offs, but those who are free usually comes and during the tournament some players from relegated NHL teams joins NTs. Of course it's not as prestige as Olympics, when even NHL makes a break to let all the best players participate

[D-Plan]

Most popular sport in Russia is football(soccer),after that hockey,and basketball is defienetly 3rd.