The hockey championship starts in Prague and Ostrava. Fan zones are also waiting for spectators, entry is free

In the one in Prague, which can accommodate seven thousand people, the last adjustments were made on Thursday afternoon. From the entrance gate, you could see a large tent where the golden juice would be tapped, or the exhibition of the main sponsor. So far, no one has gotten inside without being invited. A security guard kept a watchful eye on the gate.

On a day when there are two matches on the schedule, the gates will open at 2 p.m. The semi-finals on May 25 at 11 a.m. and the finals on May 26 at 1 p.m. If there are three matches on the day, the program starts at 11 a.m.

Organizers tell visitors to prepare for security checks at the entrance. People with bicycles or scooters are not allowed inside, and of course not with dangerous objects or their own food and drink. There will be lockers where people can store their belongings.

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Visitors will see the matches every day on a large LED screen. Before or between them, the audience will be entertained by a musical performance. For example, Poletíme?, Eddie Stoilow, Metallica Beroun, Portless, ABBA World Revival, Rammstein Tribute Show, Red Hot Chilli Peppers Revival will play in the metropolis. Some hockey legends or official mascots – rabbits Bob and Bobek – will also arrive.

There will be several food stalls in the zone. You can only pay by card. Pilsner Urquell will offer facilities in the form of large-capacity tents, the interior of which will be situated in such a way that people inside feel like they are in a large Pilsen pub. “Visitors from all over the world will enjoy Pilsner on draft from the finalists of the Master Bartender competition, try out the draft school or pub quizzes and many other activities,” promises Ladislav Kolář from Plzeňské Prazdroj.

A half liter costs 110 crowns. “The resulting amount came from the analysis of the organizing committee for similar high-level events in the country and abroad. The price is adequate for the IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship,” stated the president of the Prague organizing committee, Petr Bříza. Due to the brewery’s long-term contractual relationship with the hall, the service will offer Staropramen inside the Prague Arena, and the Ostravar brand in the Ostrava Arena.

“The price is set more for foreigners, for whom it is ridiculous, for us it’s overkill,” one of the hockey fans commented on the price on Facebook. “For 110 crowns, I don’t want to thank you, I’d rather go to a pub,” reports another. “Well, this is the bomb, I hope there will be enough beer,” praised the choice of the brewery by another.

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The public should especially use public transport to travel to the match. Extensive traffic and safety measures apply in the vicinity of the halls. The Prague transport company will strengthen metro lines B between Smíchovský nádraží and Českomoravská, which is located next to the O2 arena.

“Two hours before each match, the subway will run at an interval of about three minutes, after the matches it will be reinforced by the dispatcher with inserted sets as needed. On May 26, after the end of the final match, we will extend the operation of the metro on all three lines past midnight to approximately one hour,” said the press department of the transport company.

The O2 Arena is within walking distance of the tram stops Arena Libeň jih, where lines 7, 8 and night 92 stop, Polyclinic Vysočany or Divadlo Gong, which serve lines 12, 31 and night 94), as well as bus stops Českomoravská and Nádraží Libeň – A few minutes Libeň and Vysočany train stations are within walking distance.

When traveling by car to the capital, it is advisable to use the network of P+R parking lots, the nearest one is located at Černý Most, and continue using public transport.

The police will oversee security, 1,200 policemen will patrol in Prague and Ostrava. In addition to rescue and medical crews, a new mobile infirmary will also be available on site.

Prague Municipality, in cooperation with the Regional Directorate of the Police of the Czech Republic, will provide an infoline on 974 823 158 on match days.

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While in Prague they expect mainly domestic fans, in Ostrava they are preparing for an influx of thousands of people from Slovakia and Poland, because their national teams will play their matches in Group B in the Ostravar Arena.

“There will certainly be a large number of fans from Slovakia and Poland, but we are unable to estimate their numbers,” said Pavla Jiroušková, Moravian-Silesian police spokeswoman. She confirmed, however, that the regional police directorate cooperates especially with the Slovak police. According to Jiroušková, several hundred police officers will supervise security and traffic in and around Ostrava every day.

So that visitors don’t get bored, the Ostrava fan zone has prepared twenty-four concerts for them. “We have invited the Slovak bands Iné Kafe, Heleniné oči and Hrdza, and from Poland it will be musicians from the Big Bike Orchestra and Foxy Hunters,” said the marketing manager of the Ostrava organizing committee, Renáta Mecová.

Evening matches will be accompanied by DJs. The fan zone, which can accommodate about five thousand people, will also offer other accompanying programs such as a wheel of fortune, virtual reality, a photo corner, tastings of regional specialties and a relaxation zone.

According to Martin Pešek, director of marketing of the organizing committee, prices for food and drinks will be more or less the same in both zones. Food will cost around one hundred to 280 crowns, a pint of water for 50, juices for 65 and sweet drinks for 80 crowns.

“As far as Ostrava and food are concerned, there will be an offer in the form of six food trucks. They will offer a variety of cold and hot dishes, from classics to specialties and vegetarian food,” said Pešta, adding that hockey fans will find food in eight containers in Prague.

“And they will offer the same dishes. Classics such as sausages for one hundred and seventy-five crowns or hot dogs to Vietnamese specialties and vegan and vegetarian dishes,” added the head of marketing, adding that coffee or a stand with mixed alcoholic drinks is a matter of course.

Because of the championship, they set up a special information line in Ostrava at 602 712 920. The line will be available from May 10 to 23 from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

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