The Top 5 Asian Cities Perfect For VHL Teams

[Will3 465]

   With Europe received it's own secondary league along with a conference in the majors, expansion opportunities should be considered elsewhere. Asia has many huge cities that could possibly host a hockey team. Whether in the VHL,VHLE, VHLM or as a league all on it's own, these are the five cities where hockey can best grow in a untraditional market. I will also look at the Asia League Ice Hockey (ALIH), a real world league that is still in operation to my knowledge. With that let the countdown begin.

 

5. Seoul, South Korea 

  Seoul has many things to offer a hockey upstart. Economically, it makes sense to put a hockey club in Seoul. It is currently the fifth largest metropolitan area in the whole world with a massive 25 million inhabitants. Additionally, it also has the fourth largest urban economy in the world, behind Los Angeles, New York City, and a city that is on this list. At this city's core is a spark of creativity that powers tech juggernauts and pop bands all the same. If a hockey team were to tap into that spark, I feel it could thrive. Currently, only the Anyang Halla of the ALIH is the only representation hockey has in Korea. However I believe that a franchise in Seoul could thrive not just not just irl but virtually as well.

 

4. Mumbai, India 

   If it worked in Hollywood, it could work in Bollywood. Formerly know as the city of Bombay, Mumbai has rapidly urbanized in the last twenty years. Its metropolitan area consist of over 26 million people. It is one of the largest cities in western India and the world. it also is remains a hub of the Indian filmmaking industry. If a heated rivalry between two teams developed, one centered here and the other on the next entry on the list, hockey may thrive in India.

 

3. Delhi, India 

   The capital of India also has significant resources to offer a virtual  hockey franchise. It contains a massive potential fanbase of over 30 million inhabitants. The city also has the economy power to fund a team, being the second wealthiest city in India behind Mumbai. The city also has a familiarity with field hockey housing two teams in that sport and hosting the world cup for that sports in 2010. I believe an ice hockey club can find a place here, especially with a rivalry brewing with nearby Mumbai. 

 

2. Jakarta, Indonesia 

   The second of three massive capitals on this list, has the qualities to attract hockey expansion. There is a massive population of 35.935 million inhabitants. That makes Jakarta the second most populous urban area behind the number one of this list. A nominal GDP of $483.8 billion US means the city has the economy clout to fund a potential franchise. Jakarta's wealth tracks migrants from across the Indonesian archipelago, turning the city into a melting pot of cultures similar to New York City. Even Jakarta's nickname, the Big Durian, is an echo of  New York City's nickname The Big Apple. If hockey is to work in the digital tropics, it must work here.

 

Honorable Mentions 

  Before we get to the obvious number one, here are four quick honorable mentions. These four cities are the biggest in their country and a club might work in these places as a "national " team. Manila, the Philippines with about 13.6 million residents. Karachi, Pakistan with about 16 million inhabitants. Dhaka, Bangladesh with 21 million inhabitants. Bangkok, Thailand with 17 million people.

 

1. Toko, Japan.

   This was overwhelming obvious, right. Tokyo is Asia's greatest city for multitude of reasons. It is the most populous metropolitan area in the world with approximately 37 million people and largest urban economy in the world by GDP. The host of numerous Olympics, it has proven it self as a global sport destination. It is also the headquarters of the ALIH.  It is clear the best place for a virtual hockey expansion franchise. 

 

  I believe expansion into Asia is the future of the VHL. The massive markets, rapid urbanization and wealthy cities offer substantial space for the game I love to grow. I understand it will be sometime before we see any team in Asia but I believe it will happen at some point. The opportunity for growth is simply too great to be ignored forever.

Edited September 22, 2021 by Will3

[Tomat0 50]

REVIEW

 

I really dig this article! It's not a media spot idea you see every day and you've done a great job with it. My only real issue is that you've used similar talking points in most city, population, GDP, I would like some more diversity in the arguments. Overall I really liked it.

 

8/10 

[AJW 2,157]

Review : Great idea. In my opinion I believe there isn't much hockey in those listed cities since they rarely get snow or any cold temperatures. But there's still ice rinks around those areas so it is a shame hockey isn't more popular. I like your descriptions of the cities and if I had to pick a favourite it would be Jakarta, the city is so lively and beautiful, I would book a plane ticket to travel and see a game there. And with their population and GDP, there wouldn't be a problem getting fans into a brand new and nice arena. Great work. 9/10.

[ROOKIE745 604]

Review: It is a great sounding idea and I would for sure be behind it, but like you said the league would need to grow quite a bit before it could happen. That said you made a pretty good post to but I think you could have sold it better to us, for instance using a picture for each of the five cities that could host a team, using bold would have been nice to for each city along with the honorable mentions. I do appreciate that you took the time to read up on each city and give us the population and such. Again great idea but the execution needs some work. 6.5/10

[WHY_Bolts 16]

Great article. Really like the cities you selected especially Seoul, South Korea. That is a highly underrated place to start a sport's franchise. I also loved the detailed explanations as to why you think these cities should have franchises. 10/10