O2 Arena (Prague)
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O2 Arena, formerly Sazka Arena, is a multifunctional arena in Prague, Czech Republic. It is one of the most modern arenas in Europe.[citation needed] It was built in time for the 2004 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships.
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[edit] Uses
The O2 Arena is the home of Czech Extraliga team HC Slavia Praha. It hosted the Final Four of the Euroleague in 2006. O2 Arena has hosted a number of concerts since its opening including those of Madonna, Depeche Mode, R.E.M., Queen, Luciano Pavarotti, Phill Collins, Slade, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Guns N' Roses, Pearl Jam, Bryan Adams, Christina Aguilera, Shakira, Linkin Park, Gwen Stefani, Kylie Minogue and others. Celine Dion will bring her Taking Chances Tour to the arena on June 26, 2008.
In October 2008, the New York Rangers and Tampa Bay Lightning will open the 2008-09 NHL season at the O2 Arena with two games.
In December of 2008, the arena will play host to the playoff matches of the 2008 Men's World Floorball Championships.
[edit] History
The idea of building a new arena in Prague came on the heels of the "golden era" of Czech ice hockey: winning 3 gold medals in a row. The arena was proposed to be built in time to host the 2003 world championship tournament in ice hockey, but due to unforeseen complications with the investors,[citation needed] the ice hockey governing body had to switch that tournament to Finland. The arena's main backer then became Sazka a.s., a Czech betting company.
The construction of the arena (which began in September 2002) was not without problems, but it finally finished in time to host the 2004 tournament.
In March 2008 the building was renamed[1] O2 Arena.
[edit] Technical facts
- Number of floors: 6
- Floor space: 35,000 m²
- Capacity: up to 18,000 spectators
- Club and Luxury seats: 2,460
- Skyboxes: 66
- Party Boxes: 4
- Places in bars,restaurants and cafés: 2,900
- Parking: 280 places
- Population of its catchment area: 15 to 18 million people
[edit] Sources
[edit] References
[edit] External links
| Preceded by Zimní Stadion Eden |
HC Slavia Praha Home Arena 2004 – present |
Succeeded by Current |
| Preceded by Hartwall Areena Helsinki |
IIHF World Championships Final Venue 2004 |
Succeeded by Albert Schultz Eishalle Vienna |
| Preceded by Olimpiisky Arena Moscow |
Euroleague Final Venue 2006 |
Succeeded by Athens Olympic Indoor Hall Athens |
| Preceded by Globe Arena Stockholm |
IFF World Championships Finals Venue 2008 |
Succeeded by TBD |
