The Ostravar Arena, formerly known as the Palace of Culture and Sports, rises above Ostrava like a majestic steel monument. Since its ceremonial opening in 1986, it has become an icon of the city and a vibrant center for sports and cultural events. With a capacity of up to 11,000 spectators, it is one of the largest multi-purpose halls in the Czech Republic, and with modern technical facilities it will satisfy even the most demanding events.
History interwoven with legends
The walls of the Ostravar arena breathe history. In 2004 and 2015, the World Ice Hockey Championship was held here, in 2017 the European Figure Skating Championship was held here. The arena experienced exciting battles in the Davis Cup and Fed Cup as well as the basketball euphoria of the Women’s World Championship in 2010. Names such as Jágr, Ovechkin, Federer, Plíšková and other legends left an indelible mark here.
More than just sports
The Ostravar Arena boasts a rich history of concerts and cultural events that have captivated the hearts of fans all over the world. Legends such as Sting, Bryan Adams, Peter Gabriel, Bobby McFerrin, José Carreras, José Cura, Joe Cocker, Roxette, Rammstein, Kiss, Scorpions, Deep Purple, Manowar, Judas Priest, Slayer, Black Sabbath, Aerosmith and Jethro have shone on her stage Tull.
The Czech and Slovak music scene also found its home here. Karel Gott, Lucie Bílá, Kabát, Chinaski, Kryštof, Buty, Elán, Palo Habera & Team, Richard Müller and many others performed here.
The arena has also become a stage for popular musicals such as Hair, Children of Paradise, The Soap Prince, Angelika. The ice shows Disney On Ice, Frost, Cinderella on Ice, Snow White and Holiday On Ice captivated audiences of all ages.
An architectural gem with brutalist charm
Brutalism, the style of the 60s and 70s of the last century, gave the Ostravar arena a unique character. The massive construction and geometric shapes reflect the strength and resilience of industrial Ostrava. The hall stands on a reinforced concrete slab that resists the undermining typical of this area. The entire complex, including the adjacent Clarion Hotel (formerly the Atom Hotel), was a large investment at the time, reaching 300 million CZK.
History of the Ostravar arena
The Ostravar arena, previously known under various names, has a rich history of names that also reflect changing trends and sponsorship partnerships.
1986 – 2004: Palace of Culture and Sports
The original name of the hall from 1986 referred to its wide use for sports and cultural events. During this period, many important events took place here, including concerts, theater performances and exhibitions.
2004 – 2015: CEZ arena
In 2004, the hall became the home of the hockey club HC Vítkovice Steel (today HC Vítkovice Ridera) and in connection with that it also acquired a new sponsor – the energy company ČEZ. The name ČEZ arena thus reflected this partnership for 11 years.
2015 – 2016: Ostrava Arena
After the end of sponsorship by ČEZ in 2015, the hall temporarily returned to the neutral name Ostrava aréna. This period lasted about half a year until a new sponsor was found.
2016 – present: Ostravar arena
Since 2016, the hall has been named Ostravar arena after the Ostravar brewery, which became a new sponsor. The current name thus refers to the local tradition and connects the hall with the iconic brand of Ostrava beer.
In short, Ostravar Arena is a phenomenon of Ostrava. A place where history meets modern technology and where unforgettable experiences are born. Whether you are a sports fan, a music lover, or just looking for entertainment for the whole family, the Ostravar Arena will not disappoint you.
Info source: Ostravar arena.
Media source: Depositphotos.
