Pardubice, Czechia is poised to become a global hub for hockey and entertainment with plans to construct the world’s largest hockey arena, a project spearheaded by local businessman and HC Dynamo Pardubice owner, Petr Dědek. The ambitious undertaking, dubbed the Multifunctional Hockey Arena Pardubice (MHAP), aims to redefine the standard for sports and entertainment venues in Europe and beyond.
Dědek, a self-made entrepreneur with a diverse portfolio including real estate, logistics, and golf promotion, envisions a state-of-the-art facility that will not only serve as a home for the beloved Dynamo Pardubice but also host a wide array of events, from concerts and congresses to basketball games and mixed martial arts competitions. “We will build one of the most modern and largest arenas in the world, which will become an iconic building of Pardubice representing the city, the region and the Czech Republic,” Dědek stated, according to reporting from CzechCrunch.
The project, estimated to cost 10.5 billion Czech crowns (approximately $430 million USD as of March 13, 2026), has already moved past the conceptual phase. Pardubice-based PPP project office, in collaboration with Opočenský Valouch Architekti, won an internal competition with their design, which prospective attendees can now experience through virtual reality simulations. “Originally, we had planned to build a significantly smaller arena, but eventually, when a suitable location became apparent, we decided to move for a larger project,” explained Petr Dědek Jr., a member of the Dynamo Pardubice supervisory board. “We did a lot of calculations and came to the conclusion that an arena of this size is missing in this location.”
The planned arena will boast a capacity of 22,268 spectators for hockey games, with the potential to accommodate up to 26,000 attendees for concerts, positioning it as one of the largest and most modern entertainment venues in Europe. Dědek Jr. Drew a comparison to Prague’s O2 arena, stating, “Just as we initially said about the O2 arena that it was unnecessarily large and not needed in Prague, it is now an absolutely essential facility.”
The scale of the MHAP is intended to surpass existing venues, including the Bell Centre in Montreal and SKA Arena in St. Petersburg, both of which hold over 21,000 spectators for hockey. Beyond sheer size, the arena will feature cutting-edge technology, including a massive 140-ton audiovisual scoreboard, reportedly one of the largest of its kind globally. The location was strategically chosen, not just for its suitability, but also for its regional accessibility. Dědek Jr. Emphasized that the arena is within an hour’s drive of Prague and within two to four hours of major European cities like Bratislava, Vienna, Dresden, Katowice, and Wrocław.
Dědek anticipates hosting approximately 120 events annually, with a focus on concerts and hockey, but also exploring opportunities to attract events like NHL and NBA games. He expressed confidence that the venue’s accessibility, including direct access to Pardubice Airport, will not deter organizations, clubs, performers, or fans. “An hour of travel from Prague, in today’s world, is nothing,” he noted. The arena’s design also incorporates flexibility, with the ability to reduce capacity to around 15,000 for less-attended events, ensuring a vibrant atmosphere regardless of crowd size.
The arena will be constructed on the site of a former municipal landfill from the 1960s and 70s, presenting logistical challenges related to site remediation and infrastructure development. Financing for the project is secured entirely through private investment, with Dědek’s D+D Invest covering approximately 30 percent of the costs and exploring additional financing options. The projected construction timeline is three and a half years, though a firm start date remains uncertain pending regulatory approvals and ongoing discussions with the city.
Beyond the main arena, the development will include a smaller arena, a hotel with 500 rooms and a wellness center, a parking garage for over 2,000 vehicles, and a commercial passage, mirroring the integrated approach of Prague’s O2 arena complex. The smaller arena will provide a flexible space for sports training, social events, corporate gatherings, and conferences, accommodating up to 2,800 seated guests. The hotel will be equipped to host conferences for up to 1,000 participants.
Petr Dědek, who previously saved the Pardubice hockey club from financial difficulties six years ago, has a proven track record of investment in the region. His business empire extends beyond hockey to include real estate, electromontage, golf (through the Czech Masters tournament), and esports (Dynamo Eclot). The MHAP represents his most ambitious project to date, aiming to establish Pardubice as a premier destination for sports and entertainment in Central Europe.
The next step for the project involves a public forum with journalists and stakeholders, scheduled for next week, where further details regarding the approval process and negotiations with the city are expected to be revealed. As plans progress, the vision of a world-class arena in Pardubice is steadily taking shape, promising a significant economic and cultural impact for the region.
Stay tuned to Archysport for further updates on the development of the Multifunctional Hockey Arena Pardubice. What are your thoughts on this ambitious project? Share your comments below.
