Our People on the Ice: Hockey in the Everyday Life of Vladivostok Residents

The article examines the place and role of hockey in the everyday lives of residents of Vladivostok. The theoretical framework of the study is based on the concept of everyday practices and social capital theory. The empirical base includes ten unstructured interviews with fans of the Admiral hockey club (n = 10). The findings have shown that hockey becomes part of everyday life not only through interest in the sport itself, but also through the influence of social networks and ties (family and friends). The further reproduction of hockey-related practices is supported by their regularity and ritualization: attending games, becoming involved in the fan community, discussing results, and anticipating matches. All of these activities structure leisure time, set a specific temporality, and contribute to the accumulation of social and symbolic capital. Hockey is also perceived as an important resource for creating a comfortable urban environment and for enhancing citizens’ social activity. It is concluded that hockey is embedded in the everyday life of Vladivostok residents as a significant leisure activity that fosters the expansion of horizontal ties and the sustainable development of local communities.