Paok sports arena

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PAOK Sports Arena

Capacity: 8,142

Location: PAOK Arena is located south of the city of Thessaloniki, 7 km from the centre, in a suburb called Pylea. Access by car: exit the city towards the airport and then turn left at the traffic lights to the "PAOK Sports Centre". The arena lies 300m off the junction, on a small hill. Access by bus: use any of #69, #72 or #76 from central Egnatia St. After a 30min ride, they all stop near the previously mentioned traffic lights.[1]

Built in: 2000

Home of: PAOK B.C. (A1 Division) More data: PAOK Arena is very new, having been inaugurated in March 2000. In the same year it hosted both the Euroleague and Greek Cup Final-fours.

It is a beautiful and modern medium-sized arena. Right now, and until all the new halls for the 2004 Olympics are ready, it is the third largest arena in Greece (seating plan).[2] Great controversy has surrounded the ownership of the arena. It was built using public funds (on land donated by PAOK). However, it was given out to PAOK as an asset; the reason being the fear of the Government that the numerous PAOK fans (and voters) would otherwise be enraged!!! For the same reason, most of the operating expenses of the arena are also paid by the State. More photos [3] [4]