Brno has taken over the multipurpose arena at the exhibition grounds, but work is still ongoing

Brno – The city has taken over the newly built multifunctional arena at the Brno Exhibition Centre from the contractor. Work related to the installation of technical systems and equipment, which was scheduled for completion only after the handover, is continuing on site, arena spokeswoman Edita Smělíková told the Czech News Agency today. Construction, costing approximately seven billion Czech crowns, began in 2023. The arena, with a capacity of up to 13,000 people, will provide facilities for cultural events and sporting matches and will be home to the Kometa Brno ice hockey club. The city expects to receive a permit for trial operation by the end of November, Smělíková said.

Minor unfinished work was identified during the handover, but according to the spokeswoman, it will not prevent the arena from being used in the future. "Gradually completing these outstanding items is a standard part of the final phase of construction projects of this scale," Smělíková noted. Tests and inspections of technical systems are planned for the coming weeks. "The site therefore remains a construction site and will only be opened to the public once a permit for trial operation has been obtained," she added.

The first event at the arena will be the Women's European Handball Championship, held from December 4 to 8. The Czech Republic will host a top-level handball event for the first time in 36 years. Other sporting events to be held here include the Climbing World Championships. At the beginning of January next year, the Kometa and Sparta ice hockey teams will face off at the arena. The schedule of other events is available on the arena's website. Up to 100 events a year are planned.

At the end of September, representatives of the city, the region and the Czech Ice Hockey Association signed a memorandum on mutual cooperation in organizing the 2030 World Junior Ice Hockey Championship, which Brno is set to host, and potentially also the 2031 Men's World Championship, should it take place in Czechia.

There are 12 fast-food outlets on the arena's first and fifth above-ground floors. The third and fourth floors house a private VIP area with skyboxes, party boxes and a club level. The arena will be able to host major international events, concerts and large conventions. Petr Kratochvíla (ODS), chairman of the board of the municipally owned company Arena Brno, previously said that the arena would have to generate enough revenue to cover its operating costs.

Last year, the arena secured a naming-rights partner, mobile operator T-Mobile. Mayor Markéta Vaňková (ODS) previously said that the partnership with the operator would ensure connectivity, among other benefits.