Ice castles in which the next championship winners will grow. The Czech Republic is building hockey halls

1. Arena Brno

The old Rondo for only 7,700 spectators is no longer enough for the needs of Kometa Brno. Therefore, in September 2023, the Brno Town Hall started the construction of a modern multifunctional arena on the exhibition grounds, which will have a capacity of 12,714 spectators for hockey matches. 600 more people could arrive at the concert in the same premises. The construction, the price of which is now around three billion crowns, is to be completed in 2026. “The dominant element is the glass semi-structural facades and horizontal slats made of brushed stainless steel lacquered sheet, which suitably complements the important pavilions in the vicinity,” they write about the shape of the arena, which will be the second largest in the country, its authors. The arena will be divided into an underground part, where the surface itself is located, and six above-ground floors. The underground floor deals with parking, creates a background for athletes and performers and, last but not least, storage of technical equipment, both for the operation of the building and for individual events.

The multifunctional arena in Brno will have a capacity of 12,714 spectators for hockey matches. Authors: association of offices Arch.Design, s.r.o., and A PLUS as|arenabrno.cz

2. Horáck multi-functional arena Jihlava

It is also being built in Jihlava. Last year, heavy machines demolished the legendary Horácký winter stadium there, where the famous Dukla won 12 Czechoslovak championship titles between 1967 and 1991. The old winter park had to make way for the construction of a new multi-purpose hall, which will have a capacity of 5,750 spectators for hockey matches. Even 7,450 people can fit into the arena for concerts or similar events. The Jihlava town hall plans to spend less than two billion for the construction and would like to open the new stadium for Dukla, which is currently in the first league, in September 2025. “The arena in Jihlava will be different, it is more open and connected to the outdoor space than you know from other arenas. You can see all the way to the area from the sidewalk. It’s more like a giant cultural center in the center of the city,” says David Beke, Jihlava city councilor, responsible for managing the entire project, about the project.

Horácká multifunctional arena in Jihlava will have a capacity of 5,750 spectators for hockey matches. Even 7,450 people can fit into the arena for concerts or similar events. Design authors: studio Chybik + Kristof Architects & Urban Designers.|jihlava.cz

3. Opava Winter Stadium

The first thing they will see is the new winter stadium in Opava. Its repair for less than 400 million crowns began exactly one year ago and should be finished in the spring of next year. “Additionally built steel bleachers will be removed, as well as part of the restaurant extended into the interior space. New stands for approximately two thousand spectators are designed on the original concrete steps of the winter stadium stands,” said Deputy Mayor Michal Kokošek. At the same time, the stadium in Opava long boasted that it was the oldest “zimák” serving in its original form. The current stadium was opened in 1954, in 1956 it was the third in the country to receive a roof. After the repair, it will have a capacity of two thousand spectators. It originally held approximately 5,500 people and experienced its greatest glory in 1996, when Slezan reached the extra league. At the moment, however, the local team plays in the third highest competition.

The winter stadium in Opava will have a capacity of two thousand spectators after the reconstruction. Design author: David Wittasek from the QARTA architecture studio.|opava-city.cz

4. DD Arena Pardubice

So far, the construction of a new multifunctional arena in Pardubice is the furthest along. Club owner Petr Dědek plans to build it for his Dynamo. “We will build one of the most modern arenas in Europe, which will become an iconic building of Pardubice, representing the city, the region and the Czech Republic. The arena will serve sports, primarily hockey. It will be a place for cultural events, entertainment and congress tourism. Our current plan is to open the arena in August 2027 and play the extra league in it from the 2027/28 season,” said the billionaire from Vrchlabí, according to whom the hall should cost around eight billion crowns. The capacity of the modern stand is not yet clear, but according to available information it should reach 20,000, which would make it the largest arena in the Czech Republic. Currently, the team around Petr Dědek is working on obtaining a building permit. Today, Pardubice plays in the city’s Enteria arena, which offers a capacity of 10,194 seats for hockey matches.

DD Arena Pardubice should be the largest arena in the Czech Republic with a capacity of 20,000 spectators. Authors of the proposal: architectural firm Opočenský Valouch Architekti|hcpce.cz