News of the IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship in Minsk and Riga

MINSK, 21 May (BelTA) – Team Belarus average attendance at the preliminary-round of the 2014 IIHF World Championship in Minsk exceeded 14,000 fans, BelTA has learned.

The Belarusian team led with a total of 98,676 fans during its seven preliminary-round games at Minsk Arena, with an average of 14,096 per game. Team Russia went second best averaging 13,826 in attendance per game (a total of 96,784). Russia was followed by Finland, with a total of 88,819 (an average of 12,688 per game).

The highest attendance of 14,679 was recorded at Belarus vs. Russia clash at Minsk Arena on 20 May.

The lowest attendance was registered at Team Italy games, with the total audience of 37,631 (5,275 per game). Team Kazakhstan that ranked 8^th among 16 participants of the tournament and was relegated together with the Italian team enjoyed the support of 84,420 fans (12,060 per game).

An estimated 536,518 fans turned out to watch 56 preliminary-round matches, with the average of 9,950 per game. It is already clear that the previous attendance record which was set in Prague a decade ago will be beat. The 56 games of the world championship in the Czech Republic in 2004 drew a total of 552,097 fans (an average of 9,859 per game). Belarus will feature 64 games of the 2014 IIHF World Championship.