Hockey madness: Ostrava is strengthening traffic, police and rescuers

The stadium, where the local team HC Vítkovice Rider reigns supreme, will become the venue for a group of matches in Group B of the 2024 Ice Hockey World Championship. Therefore, in addition to domestic spectators, fans of teams from Poland, Slovakia, Germany and even the USA are expected to arrive.

Moravian-Silesian police chief Tomáš Kužel and his men are going to carry out increased surveillance of the stadium and its surroundings starting on May 10. “We will also strengthen surveillance, we will have less than hundreds of police officers on the streets every game day,” confirmed. His people will be interested in theft, disorderly conduct or drug offences.

Beware of fake tickets

At the same time, he warned against buying tickets for matches outside official portals. “You avoid this kind of fraudulent dealing with fake tickets and we warn against such a purchase,” Kužel pointed out. With the fact that the championship and the surrounding events will be monitored by cameras with the resolution of human faces.

In addition to the police, firemen and rescuers, there is also a transport company ready for any traffic problems during the matches. “Our special lines will run from parking lots in Vítkovice, Ruská and Závodní Street,” cross-country spokesperson Tereza Šnoblová advises.

Limit access to the arena

According to the accommodation providers, who are already reporting full capacity, tens of thousands of people are expected to arrive in Ostrava for hockey. There will also be an extraordinary connection from Mošnov airport for foreign hockey fans.

Trams number 2, 7, 11 and 12 are to be strengthened during the World Hockey Championship. The transport company will not only strengthen these connections, but also deploy more capacity vehicles.

250 crowns for 7 days

The transport company will also allow the purchase of a seven-day hockey ticket by public transport for a discounted price of 250 crowns. They will be on sale from May 9 in the MojeDPO mobile application.

Barriers at the fanzone

The organizers advise to limit the arrival of cars to the stadium also because two parking lots near the Ostravar Arena will be turned into fan zones. They will also be secured with barriers against the entry of cars and trucks due to the greater safety of the event.

Rescuers are coming

In Ostrava, 11 units of rescuers provide interventions for the injured, people near collapse, and other interventions. These will grow to 13 during the championship. “There will be three teams with three doctors in the hall itself,” said the mayor, deputy director of the ambulance service, David Holeš.

Firefighters will also be moving directly in the play hall. “We set up seven units for the needs of the Ostravar Arena. We have specialists for chemicals or pyrotechnics,” said regional fire chief Radim Kuchař.