O2 Arena (Prague)

{{Short description|Multi-purpose arena in Czechia}} {{Distinguish|The O2 Arena}}{{Infobox venue | name = O2 Arena | nickname = | logo_image = O2 Arena Prague logo.webp | image = Libeň O2 aréna a busy.jpg | image_size = 250px | image_caption = O2 Arena in July 2018 | fullname = | location = Ocelářská 460/2, 190 00 Prague 9 – Libeň, Czech Republic | coordinates = {{coord|50|6|17.14|N|14|29|36.59|E|region:CZ_type:landmark|display=inline,title}} | broke_ground = September 2002 | built = 2004 | opened = 27 March 2004<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prague.net/blog/article/139/sazka-arena-the-most-modern-multipurpose-arena-in-the-world|title=Sazka Arena – the most modern multipurpose arena in the world|website=Prague.net|access-date=10 April 2018}}</ref> | renovated = | expanded = | closed = | demolished = | owner = | operator = BESTSPORT akciová společnost | surface = | construction_cost = 17 billion CZK € 630 Million | architect = ATIP, a.s. – Vladimír Vokatý, Martin Vokatý, Jiří Vít | structural_engineer = | services_engineer = | general_contractor = | project_manager = | main_contractors = | former_names = Sazka Arena (2004 – March 2008) | tenants = Czech Republic men's national ice hockey team (2004-present) HC Slavia Praha (Czech Extraliga) (2004–2015) HC Sparta Praha (Czech Extraliga) (2015–present) HC Kladno (Czech Extraliga) (3 games) (2012) HC Lev Praha (KHL) (occasional games) (2012–2014) | capacity = Concerts: 20,000 Ice hockey: 17,383 Basketball: 16,805 Tennis: 14,000 | dimensions = | scoreboard = }} '''O2 Arena''' (stylised as '''O2 arena''') is a multi-purpose arena, in Prague, Czech Republic.

It is home to HC Sparta Prague of the Czech Extraliga and is the third-largest ice hockey arena in Europe. It has hosted important sport events such as three Ice Hockey World Championships (2004, 2015 and 2024), the first edition of the prestigious tennis Laver Cup, the European Athletics Indoor Championships, the Euroleague Final Four 2006, the World Floorball Championship, the 2012 Davis Cup finals, four Fed Cup finals, as well as a handful of NHL and KHL games, including a 2014 Gagarin Cup final.

It also hosts stage shows, such as concerts, and other large-scale events. The highest arena capacity reached was 20,208 people.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2025-06-02 |title=Billie Eilish v O2 areně přepsala historii. Překonala rekordní návštěvnost haly a přivezla dokonalý zážitek. - O2 arena |url=https://www.o2arena.cz/billie-eilish-v-o2-arene-prepsala-historii-prekonala-rekordni-navstevnost-haly-a-privezla-dokonaly-zazitek/ |access-date=2025-06-12 |language=cs-CZ}}</ref>

==History== The idea of building a new arena in Prague came on the heels of the "golden era" of Czech ice hockey: winning the gold medal at the 1998 Winter Olympics and three gold medals in a row at the Ice Hockey World Championships from 1999 to 2001. 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 issues, but it was opened in March 2004 as Sazka Arena, in time to host the 2004 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships.<ref>{{cite news |first=Rob|last=Cameron|url=http://www.radio.cz/en/section/curraffrs/sazka-sports-arena-opened-amid-bitter-political-dispute-over-money |title=Sazka sports arena opened amid bitter political dispute over money |publisher=Radio Prague |date=29 March 2004 |access-date=7 June 2011}}</ref> In March 2008, the building was renamed O2 Arena.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2008-02-05|title=Praha přijde o Sazka Arenu. Stane se z ní O2 Arena|url=https://sport.aktualne.cz/hokej/praha-prijde-o-sazka-arenu-stane-se-z-ni-o2-arena/r~i:article:520383/|access-date=2021-12-10|website=Aktuálně.cz|language=cs}}</ref>

In March 2011, Sazka filed for insolvency due to debts from building the arena and other problems.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2011-03-26|title=Czech lottery firm Sazka files for insolvency|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/sazka-idUSLDE72P07H20110326|access-date=2021-12-10}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ft.com/content/ebc918b0-61ca-11e0-88f7-00144feab49a |title=FT.com / Mergermarket - Balls up: Czech lottery ruled insolvent |access-date=2011-04-15 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110410231947/http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/ebc918b0-61ca-11e0-88f7-00144feab49a,dwp_uuid=e8477cc4-c820-11db-b0dc-000b5df10621.html |archive-date=2011-04-10 }} Balls up: Czech lottery ruled insolvent</ref> Sazka was then re-organized and financially stabilized. [[Image:Extraliga Sparta Kladno O2.jpg|thumb|Czech Extraliga match, Sparta Praha vs Rytíři Kladno]] From its opening until 2015, it was home to HC Slavia Prague of the Czech Extraliga. Slavia won the national championship on home ice in Game 7 of the 2008 Extraliga finals against HC Karlovy Vary 4–0 in front of a then-league-record crowd of 17,117. For two seasons, 2012–13 and 2013–14, O2 Arena also hosted occasional home games of HC Lev Prague of the Kontinental Hockey League. The club played its home games of the 2014 Gagarin Cup Finals at O2 Arena, attracting the three largest crowds in league history.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Mike Keenan guides Metallurg Magnitogorsk to Game 7 Gagarin Cup win and record-setting KHL championship|url=https://thehockeynews.com/news/mike-keenan-guides-metallurg-magnitogorsk-to-game-7-gagarin-cup-win-and-record-setting-khl-championship|access-date=2021-12-10|website=The Hockey News|date=30 April 2014 }}</ref> In 2015, Slavia was relegated to the 1.liga, and the club chose to move back to the smaller Zimní stadion Eden, the team's former home and current training centre. In its place, O2 Arena reached an agreement with cross-town rivals Sparta Prague on 24 June 2015. Sparta ownership cited the need for significant renovations at Tipsport Arena as the main reason for the move.<ref name="ct2015">{{Cite web|url=https://sport.ceskatelevize.cz/clanek/hokej/hokejova-sparta-bude-hrat-v-o2-arene-slavia-naopak-miri-do-edenu/5bde53330d663b6fe8d29abd|title=Hokejová Sparta bude hrát v O2 areně, Slavia naopak míří do Edenu|language=cs|work=Czech Television|date=24 June 2015|access-date=6 September 2024}}</ref>

In 2015, O2 Arena co-hosted the IIHF World Championship with ČEZ Aréna in Ostrava for the second time. This time, the tournament re-established the record for World Championship attendance, which stood until being surpassed in 2024 with the tournament held in the same two cities.<ref name="forbes2024">{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/carolschram/2024/05/26/david-pastrnak-lifts-czechia-to-2024-world-hockey-championship-win/|first=Carol|last=Schram|title=David Pastrnak Lifts Czechia To 2024 World Hockey Championship Win|work=Forbes|date=26 May 2024|access-date=6 September 2024}}</ref>

In 2017, it hosted the 1st edition of Laver Cup international indoor hard court men's tennis tournament between Europe and Team World.

[[File:Praha Liben Ceskomoravska 17 O2 Universum b.jpg|thumb|In 2019, a multifunctional congress centre, O2 universum, opened up next to the Arena.]] In 2019, a multifunctional congress centre, O2 universum, opened up next to the Arena.

In 2021, the venue was scheduled to host some group phase matches at the FIBA EuroBasket 2021, which the country was to cohost with Georgia in Tbilisi, Germany in Berlin/Cologne and Italy in Milan. The event was canceled.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-04-08|title=FIBA EuroBasket draw to be held behind closed doors due to COVID-19|url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1106380/eurobasket-draw-behind-closed-doors|access-date=2021-12-10|website=Insidethegames.biz}}</ref>

In 2021, the Stages Hotel with capacity of around 600 people, opened right next to the Arena.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Krstanov |first=Zdravko |date=2021-11-01 |title=PPF má nový miliardový hotel u O2 areny. Kellner by byl pyšný, zaznělo na otevření |url=https://forbes.cz/ppf-ma-novy-miliardovy-hotel-u-o2-areny-kellner-by-byl-pysny-zaznelo-na-otevreni/ |access-date=2025-06-12 |website=Forbes |language=cs}}</ref> This included a creation of a big pedestrian zone and renewed public space around the eastern entrances to the arena.

On 16 March 2026, the NHL announced that O2 Arena would be one of three host arenas for the 2028 World Cup of Hockey, along with Rogers Place in Edmonton and Scotia Place in Calgary.<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 March 2026 |title=World Cup of Hockey 2028 to be played in Canada, Czechia {{!}} NHL.com |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/world-cup-of-hockey-2028-host-cities-announced |access-date=21 March 2026 |website=www.nhl.com |language=en}}</ref>

==Notable events==

===Music=== * On 6 & 7 September 2006 Madonna performed there during her Confessions Tour. The concert was attended by 18,628 spectators, the biggest number of spectators in the arena's history. She performed again at the arena on 7 & 8 November 2015 as part of her Rebel Heart Tour selling out crowds of over 16,000 patrons. * The arena is the home of the Transmission festival since 2007. * On 12 June 2007, Linkin Park performed at the venue as part of the Minutes to Midnight World Tour.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Linkin Park Setlist at Sazka Arena, Prague |url=https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/linkin-park/2007/sazka-arena-prague-czechia-53d6dfb5.html |access-date=2025-12-20 |website=setlist.fm |language=en}}</ref> * On 12 May 2008, Kylie Minogue performed there as part of her KylieX2008. She performed again at the arena on 2 March 2011 as part of her Aphrodite World Tour. On 21 October 2014 Minogue performed again as part of her Kiss Me Once Tour. * On 26 June 2008 Céline Dion performed there during Taking Chances World Tour. * In November 2008, the French electronica pioneer Jean Michel Jarre performed his ''Oxygène'' album live at the arena, as part of the second leg of the Oxygène 30th anniversary tour. * On 27 April 2009, Tina Turner performed a concert as part of the Tina!: 50th Anniversary Tour *Sting performed during his Symphonicities Tour on 22 September 2010, along with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. * On November 17, 2010, Lady Gaga a concert as part of the Monster Ball Tour. * On 7 December 2011, Rihanna performed there during her Loud Tour. On 27 July 2016, Rihanna performed there as part of Anti World Tour. * On 26 October 2012, Jennifer Lopez performed a sold-out show during her Dance Again World Tour. * On October 5, 2014, Lady Gaga performed a concert as part of the ArtRave: The Artpop Ball. * On 17 February 2015, Queen + Adam Lambert performed there as part of their Queen + Adam Lambert Tour 2014-2015. The group returned to the arena on November 1, 2017, to kick off their 2017 European tour.[[Image:Imagine Dragons in Prague 2018.jpg|thumb|Imagine Dragons concert in 2018]] * On 23 February 2015, Katy Perry performed there as part of Prismatic World Tour. * On January 30, 2016, Ellie Goulding performed there as part of Delirium World Tour. * On November 12, 2016, Justin Bieber performed a sold-out show during his Purpose World Tour. On 12 March 2023, Bieber performed there again as part of his Justice World Tour. * Gorillaz performed at the arena on 14 November 2017, as part of their Humanz Tour.[[File:Praha O2 arena 2025 Tate McRae.jpg|thumb|Tate McRae concert in 2025]] * On 2 April 2018, Metallica performed there as part of WorldWired Tour.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.o2arena.cz/en/news/O2-arena-has-a-record-of-attendance-concert-of-band-Metallica-was-seen-by-20-174-fans_972.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191214073401/https://www.o2arena.cz/en/news/O2-arena-has-a-record-of-attendance-concert-of-band-Metallica-was-seen-by-20-174-fans_972.html|archive-date=2019-12-14|title=O2 arena - O2 arena has a record of attendance - concert of band Metallica was seen by 20 174 fans}}</ref> * On 16 April 2018 Imagine Dragons performed here as a part of their Evolve World Tour. * On 7 & 8 May 2018, Enrique Iglesias performed there as part of Enrique Iglesias Live. * On 1 July 2018 Pearl Jam performed there as part of the Pearl Jam 2018 Tour. * On 10 October 2018, Shania Twain performed there as part of the Shania Now Tour. * On 7 May 2019, Elton John performed there as part of Farewell Yellow Brick Road * On 4 September 2019, Ariana Grande performed there as part of the Sweetener World Tour. * On 16 February 2019, Twenty One Pilots performed there as part of The Bandito Tour. The band returned to the venue on 12 April 2025 during the European leg of The Clancy World Tour. * On 29 April 2022, 5 Seconds of Summer performed there as part of their Take My Hand World Tour. * On 11 June 2022, My Chemical Romance performed there as part as their My Chemical Romance Reunion Tour. * On 15 July 2022, Harry Styles performed there as a part of his Love on Tour. * On 21 December 2022, Symphonic Metal act Nightwish performed there as part of the Human. :II: Nature. World Tour. * On 28 October 2023, 50 Cent bought his Final Lap Tour to the arena. Busta Rhymes was the opening act.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Kaufman |first=Gil |date=2023-05-04 |title=50 Cent Announces 2023 'Final Lap' Global Tour with Busta Rhymes, Jeremih |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/concerts/50-cent-2023-final-lap-north-american-european-tour-dates-1235322033/ |access-date=2024-03-23 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref> * On 30 & 31 May 2023, Iron Maiden performed two sold out shows as part of their Future Past Tour.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ireport.cz/fotoreporty/iron-maiden-zborili-o2-arenu-fanousky-nenechali-vydechnout|title= Iron Maiden rocked arena|publisher=ireport.cz|date=2023-05-31|access-date=2023-05-31|language=cs}}</ref> *On 19 September 2023, Blink-182 performed there as part of their World Tour 2023/2024.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Šulc |first1=Stanislav |title=Znovu a rychleji. Blink-182 rozdováděli O2 arenu, zpívali i o pražských dívkách |url=https://www.denik.cz/hudba/blink-182-v-praze.html |access-date=2025-10-02 |work=Deník |date=2023-09-20 |language=cs}}</ref> *On 16 October 2024, American singer Melanie Martinez performed there as part of The Trilogy Tour. *On 27 and 28th May 2025, British-Albanian singer Dua Lipa performed two concerts of the Radical Optimism Tour *On 1 June 2025, American singer Billie Eilish performed a sold out show of her Hit Me Hard and Soft Tour with a record attendance of 20 209 people.<ref name=":0" /> *On 11 June 2025, Canadian singer Tate McRae performed a show as part of her Miss Possessive Tour.

* On 7 September 2025, British pop singer Robbie Williams will perform at the arena as part of his Robbie Williams Live 2025 tour.

===Sport=== [[File:O2 Arena before Israel v Serbia at EuroBasket (52339256668).jpg|thumb|During the EuroBasket 2022]] * In October 2008, the New York Rangers and Tampa Bay Lightning opened the 2008–09 NHL season at O2 Arena with two games.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/06/sports/hockey/06rangers.html|title=Rangers Please Crowd and Satisfy Themselves|work=The New York Times|date=5 October 2008|access-date=11 October 2023}}</ref> In 2010, the NHL returned, with the Boston Bruins and Phoenix Coyotes playing twice.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nhl/bruins-beatidentity-foundteam-returns-to-style-that-worked-in-2009|title=BRUINS BEAT;IDENTITY FOUND;TEAM RETURNS TO STYLE THAT WORKED IN 2009|work=Fox Sports|date=11 October 2010|access-date=11 October 2023}}</ref> In 2019, the NHL returned again with the Chicago Blackhawks and Philadelphia Flyers opening the season at the arena. After a two year hiatus, the arena opened the 2022 season with the San Jose Sharks and Nashville Predators playing twice. The arena opened the 2024-25 season with the Buffalo Sabres and New Jersey Devils playing twice. * In December 2008, the arena played host to the playoff matches of the 2008 Men's World Floorball Championships, including Finland's 7–6 victory over Sweden in the final.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.idnes.cz/sport/florbal/o2-arena-se-chysta-na-florbal-specialni-povrch-bleskove-presunuli-z-ostravy.A081211_161908_florbal_bur|title=O2 Arena se chystá na florbal. Speciální povrch bleskově přesunuli z Ostravy|language=cs|work=idnes.cz|date=11 December 2008|access-date=11 October 2023}}</ref> * The Czech Republic Davis Cup Team defeated Spain in the 2012 Davis Cup Final.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/20385865|title=Davis Cup final: Czech Republic edge out Spain in Prague|work=BBC Sport|date=18 November 2012|access-date=11 October 2023}}</ref>thumb|Square in front of the Arena, 2024 * The Czech Fed Cup team contested the Fed Cup at the O2 Arena four times between 2012 and 2018. The arena hosted the final of the 2012 Fed Cup against Serbia.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://english.radio.cz/czechs-hoping-clinch-historic-first-fed-and-davis-cup-double-8549548|title=Czechs hoping to clinch historic first Fed and Davis Cup double|work=Radio Prague|date=16 November 2012|access-date=11 October 2023}}</ref> In November 2014 the Czech Republic defeated Germany in the final of the 2014 Fed Cup.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/11/sports/czechs-celebrate-commitment-to-team-success.html|title=Czechs Celebrate Commitment to Team Success|work=The New York Times|date=10 November 2014|access-date=11 October 2023}}</ref> In November 2015, the arena hosted the 2015 Fed Cup final against Russia,<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.si.com/tennis/2015/11/11/ap-ten-fed-cup-final-preview|title=Sharapova eyes first Fed Cup final against Czechs|magazine=Sports Illustrated|date=11 November 2015|access-date=11 October 2023}}</ref> while the 2018 Fed Cup, which the Czech Republic won against the United States, resulted in the country's sixth cup win in eight years.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.si.com/tennis/2018/11/11/fed-cup-final-czech-republic-usa-katerina-siniakova|title=Czechs Make Quick Work of U.S. in Fed Cup Final|magazine=Sports Illustrated|date=11 November 2018|access-date=11 October 2023}}</ref> * In February 2019, ''UFC Fight Night: Błachowicz vs. Santos'' (also known as ''UFC Fight Night 145'' or ''UFC on ESPN+ 3'') was held at the O2 Arena. The event marked the promotion's first visit to the Czech Republic.

==Technical facts== thumb|400px|Panorama of O2 Arena (March 2007)<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-06-11 |title=O2 Arena – StavbaWeb |url=https://www.stavbaweb.cz/clanek/o2-arena-5842/ |access-date=2025-06-12 |language=cs}}</ref> *Number of floors: 6 *Height: 33 m *Roof diameter: 135 m *Floor space: 35,000 m2 *Capacity: **Concerts: up to 20.209 people (record broke with Billie Eilish concert in 2025)<ref name=":0" /> **Ice hockey: 17 383 **Basketball: 16 805<ref>{{cite web |title=Belgrade 2018 - Welcome to EUROLEAGUE BASKETBALL |url=http://www.euroleague.net/item/22297 |access-date=10 April 2018 |website=Euroleague.net}}</ref> **Tennis: 14 000 *Club and Luxury seats: 2,460 *Sky boxes: 66 *Party Boxes: 4 *Seats in bars, restaurants and cafés: 2,900 *Beers that can be tapped in one break: 30,000<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.idnes.cz/technet/reportaze/pivovod-o2-areny-dokaze-za-ctvrt-hodiny-opit-pivem-male-mesto.A100611_134036_xman-styl_hig |title=Pivovod O2 areny dokáže za čtvrt hodiny "opít" pivem malé město|publisher=iDnes.cz}}</ref> *Parking: 280 places *Population of its catchment area: 2.2 million people (as of 2025)

<gallery> File:Sazka-arena-02.jpg|Interior of O2 Arena (2007) File:Sazka arena.jpg|View from Českomoravská street File:Sazka Arena Ozzy.jpg|Sazka Arena in June 2007, before Ozzy Osbourne's concert File:2017 European Women Basketball Championship EuroBasket Prague O2 Arena – final ceremony.jpg|Final ceremony of EuroBasket Women 2017 in O2 Arena </gallery>

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== {{Commons category-inline}} *[http://www.o2arena.cz Official website of the O2 arena]

{{s-start-collapsible|header={{s-sta|et}}}} {{succession box | title=HC Slavia Praha Home Arena | years = 2004 – 2015 | before = Zimní Stadion Eden | after = Zimní Stadion Eden }} {{succession box | | title = Euroleague Final Four Venue | years = 2006 | before=Olimpiisky Arena Moscow | | after = Olympic Indoor Hall Athens | }} {{succession box | title=IFF World Championships Finals Venue | years = 2008 | before = Globe Arena Stockholm | | after = TBD }} {{succession box |title=CEV Champions League Final Venue | |before=Hala MOSiR Łódź | |after=Arena Łódź Łódź | |years=2009 }} {{succession box | title=Fed Cup Final Venue | before=Olympic Stadium Moscow Tennis Club Cagliar Cagliari | after=Tennis Club Cagliar Cagliari Rhénus Sport Strasbourg | years=2011 2014, 2015 }} {{succession box | title=Davis Cup Final venue | before=Estadio de La Cartuja Seville | after=Kombank Arena Belgrade | years=2012 }} {{succession box | title=European Athletics Indoor Championships Venue | before=Scandinavium Gothenburg | after=Kombank Arena Belgrade | years=2015 }} {{succession box | title=HC Sparta Praha Home Arena | years = 2015 – | before = Tipsport Arena | after = current }} {{s-end}} {{Navboxes|list1= {{IIHF World Championship venues}} {{EAA members}} {{O2 Venues}} {{EuroBasket Women 2017}} {{FIBA EuroBasket 2021}} }} {{Authority control}}

Category:Sports venues completed in 2004 Category:Indoor arenas in the Czech Republic Category:Ice hockey venues in the Czech Republic Category:Basketball venues in the Czech Republic Category:Sports venues in Prague Czech Republic Category:Music venues in Prague Category:Music venues completed in 2004 Category:2004 establishments in the Czech Republic Category:21st-century architecture in the Czech Republic