Skating vs. Football in Russia: Shifts in Popularity and Current League Realities
The former head of Lokomotiv, Olga Smorodskaya, dismissed Yana Rudkovskaya’s claim that figure skating has already surpassed Russian football in audience ratings. Smorodskaya argued that figure skating remains far from football in popularity and noted that international competitions have shown that the two sports alternated strong showings on different stages, according to Sports24.
It is important to recall that FIFA and UEFA made the decision to ban all Russian clubs and the national team from participating in their sanctioned events. This move has reshaped how Russian football competes on the world stage and has implications for the sport’s development at home.
At present, Russian football players are primarily competing in domestic leagues, notably the Russian Premier League and the refreshed Russian Cup. The domestic season has continued to unfold with a mix of titles, contention, and the ongoing effort to maintain high competitive standards within the country.
After eight rounds of play in the Russian Premier League, Zenit St. Petersburg remains at the top of the table. Sergei Semak’s squad sits three points clear of CSKA Moscow and Krasnodar, who share second place and push hard to close the gap. The race reflects a competitive balance at multiple positions, with managers and players navigating the season’s evolving dynamics.
In a notable development for Russian football culture, two media teams, Amkal and 2DROTS, were admitted to the Russian Cup, signaling new opportunities for media-driven storytelling and fan engagement within the competition. This inclusion marks a shift in how teams can brand themselves and reach audiences through creative, modern formats.
Previously, Tatiana Tarasova asserted that figure skating would not move in the same direction as football, a stance that has framed public expectations for years. The dialogue around these sports continues to unfold, driven by performances on ice and grass, as well as sponsorships, broadcasting rights, and national sports policy that influence growth and visibility for both disciplines.