The world’s biggest hockey arena, currently the SKA Arena in St. Petersburg, is set to lose its title. In 2027, a new mega-arena in Pardubice, Czech Republic, just an hour’s drive from the Polish border, will take over as the largest hockey venue globally. Petr Dedek, the owner of the Dynamo Pardubice hockey club, recently announced plans to build the arena, which will boast a seating capacity of 22,300—making it a record-breaking venue for ice hockey. In addition to the main arena, the project will include a smaller rink, a hotel, and a multi-level parking structure.
A Multi-Purpose Venue Near the Polish Border
While the arena will primarily host hockey games, it is designed to be a multi-purpose venue. For concerts and other events, its capacity will expand to accommodate up to 26,000–27,000 spectators by allowing attendees onto the main floor. This flexible design will outdo the current largest hockey arenas, including SKA Arena, which can hold 21,542 fans for hockey games, and Bell Centre in Montreal, the largest in North America, with a capacity of 21,105.
Pardubice’s new arena, temporarily named „DD Arena,” will become only the third in the world with the ability to host over 20,000 fans for a hockey game. The specific demands of the sport, including the size of the ice rink and the placement of boards and benches, often limit seating capacity. For example, Chicago’s United Center can hold 20,917 fans for basketball, but just 19,717 for Blackhawks hockey games due to the necessary removal of front-row seating.
A Monument to Czech Hockey’s Popularity
In the Czech Republic, where hockey reigns supreme as the number one sport, the primary use of the new arena will be for hockey games. The modern facility will feature three tiers of seating, with around 9,700 seats on the lower level, 5,800 on the middle tier, and 6,700 on the top level. The upper tier will also house a massive VIP section capable of seating 1,224 guests.
The project marks a significant upgrade from the original concept, which had envisioned a capacity of around 15,000. However, Dedek has confirmed that the expanded design is still on track to open by August 2027, making it a monumental addition to the world of hockey.
Once complete, the arena will not only redefine the hockey experience in Europe but also offer a state-of-the-art venue for a wide range of major events, positioning Pardubice as a key destination for both sports and entertainment.
