Hockey was first played in Pharos in around 1930's, on ponds and outdoor arenas. The weather made it very hard to play, so Pharonian hockey did not develop for some time. In 1978 the first indoor ice arena was built with an artificial surface, and a second was built three years later. The PIHF (Pharonian Ice-Hockey Federation) was formed in 1991 and a professional league was first conducted in 1991-92 season, originally with 8 teams. The league season usually starts at the beginning of October and ends in March/April. As of 2000, there are 20 fully professional teams competing in the ELITE ICE HOCKEY LEAGUE.