WC hockey | The Hockey WC will be accompanied by a hit from Lenny. In the “Pilsen” fan zones for 110, in the Staropramen and Ostravar halls

Singer Lenny will provide the unofficial anthem of the championship. “We know from experience that official songs have a hard life and sometimes fall into oblivion. That’s why we wanted to connect the World Cup with a song that the fans know,” says the president of the Prague organizing committee, Petr Bříza.

The hit Hello will not only be part of the opening ceremony, but will tune fans in the arenas before the start of each match. “We are thrilled that Lenny was open to our idea, lending and adapting her hit to the hockey environment,” adds Bříza. When the WC was held in the Czech Republic for the last time nine years ago, the unofficial anthem was the song Brousíme nože by Kabátů.

The opening ceremony will have two parts. “The first consists of a clip accompanied by the voice of the world-respected commentator Gord Miller and discusses how hockey has developed throughout its existence for decades,” reveals Bříza. The second part consists of the song Hello modified into a hockey environment by Lenny.

“And of course we can’t forget the official mascots Bob and Bobka, who will make a special guest appearance. At the end, as in every championship, there is a presentation of all the teams and the national anthem,” Martin Pešta, director of the marketing department, outlined the third part.

To maximize the experience, the organizers installed a rich set of effect lights. “We have supplemented these with unique kinetic lights, with which we will support the atmosphere and complete the action on the ice, multimedia cubes, busts, graphic carriers and in the auditorium. Fans can look forward to great entertainment and breathtaking scenes in both arenas,” adds Pešta.

Two official fan zones will be built next to both arenas. In Prague, it will be for almost seven thousand spectators, in the Moravian-Silesian metropolis for five thousand fans. Attractive matches, including matches of the Czech national team, will be shown on large screens in both cities. The opening hours will be from 2 p.m. until the end of the evening match, in the case of a three-match day, from 11 a.m. On Saturday, May 25, the gates will open at 12 noon for the semi-final fights, and it will be possible to arrive at 1 pm for the final day on Sunday. Entry is free for all visitors.

A cultural program and a DJ performance are prepared before the start or between matches. The program will also be complemented by a meeting with hockey legends or a show by the official mascots Bob and Bobko. The entire fan zone will be operated by a cashless system, so it will not be possible to pay in cash.

The tank “Pilsen” will be tapping in the fan zones. Pilsner Urquell will offer all hockey fans facilities in the form of large-capacity tents, the interior of which will be situated in such a way that the fans will feel like they are in a large “Pilsen pub”.

Fans pay 110 crowns for a pint in both fan zones. “The resulting amount, determined by the organizing committee, came from a careful analysis of similar top events in the country and abroad. The price is adequate for the World Cup in ice hockey,” claims Bříza, adding that at the previous World Cup fans paid an average of around five euros for a pint of beer.

Due to the brewery’s long-term contractual relationship with the hall, Staropramen will be served inside the O2 arena, and Ostravar brand in the Ostrava Arena.