Pardubice, Czechia – HC Dynamo Pardubice is poised to potentially redefine the landscape of international hockey with plans for a recent arena aiming to surpass SKA Arena in St. Petersburg and the Bell Centre in Montreal as the world’s largest hockey venue. The ambitious project, spearheaded by club owner Petr Dědek, envisions a multi-purpose facility with a hockey capacity of 22,268, and a concert capacity reaching up to 26,000.
The proposed arena isn’t solely focused on hockey. Dědek has outlined a vision to host over 100 events annually, potentially attracting National Hockey League (NHL) exhibition games and positioning Pardubice as a candidate to host the IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship. Although, the primary goal remains bolstering the home advantage for Dynamo Pardubice and enhancing the overall fan experience.
“Dynamo needs a new facility to attract more fans,” Dědek previously stated. “We will have a larger capacity, advertising opportunities, and an offering for business partners.”
Recently, the project was presented to journalists through a virtual reality experience, allowing a detailed exploration of the planned stadium and surrounding complex. “Virtual presentation is a way to bring a vision to reality,” explained Petr Dědek Jr. “You suddenly see what it will look like, in front of you, you can walk through it. It’s a much easier way for the human brain to visualize a vision.”
The development extends beyond the arena itself, encompassing a smaller secondary arena, a parking garage, a hotel, and a planned urban district surrounding the new home of Dynamo Pardubice. The project’s scale reflects a commitment to creating a comprehensive entertainment and sporting hub.
Acknowledging potential fluctuations in attendance, Dědek Jr. Revealed a flexible design. “Of course, we are realists. Regarding capacity, we are counting on the last tiers being closable. So that we create a capacity of around plus or minus fifteen and a half thousand people. We know that some Extraliga matches during the season have lower interest.”
Despite the new arena’s development, Dynamo Pardubice intends to continue utilizing the existing enteria arena for select games, particularly high-profile matchups and playoff contests, as reported by Hokej.cz.
The project’s technological aspects have been thoroughly calculated, with a reserve built in to account for potential delays. “We don’t want to get ahead of ourselves. It’s important for us now to go through the process so that People can build, so that we can break ground. At that moment, we are able to say, we know we will finish it by this date. We have already calculated it technologically, including a reserve. Only when we start building are we able to frankly say that there will be so many games in the old hall,” explained Dědek Jr.
The design incorporates several innovative features, including a circular home team locker room, a central plaza in front of the arena, a color-changing facade, a large screen on the parking garage, and LED-lit stairs leading to the entrance. These elements aim to create a dynamic and engaging atmosphere for fans and visitors.
However, the project is still awaiting approval from the Pardubice city council. According to a statement from city spokesperson Ivana Dolanová, as cited by Mladá Fronta Dnes, the council is preparing documentation for a March meeting to discuss approving a planning agreement, an agreement regarding a landfill site under the future arena, and an agreement on public functions that the investor would guarantee to the city. Financial support from the city is not currently under consideration.
The investor for the arena is DD Invest, with current estimated costs around 10.5 billion Czech Koruna. A final decision from the city council is expected within the next two weeks.
Planned MHAP (Multi-Purpose Hockey Arena) in Numbers
- Construction Time: 3.5 years
- Hockey Capacity: 22,268 spectators
- Concert Capacity: Up to 26,000 spectators
- Small Arena Capacity: 2,800 seated
- Number of Floors: 11
The potential construction of this arena would significantly impact the Czech hockey landscape, offering a state-of-the-art facility capable of hosting major international events and providing a world-class home for HC Dynamo Pardubice. The project’s success hinges on securing final approval from the city council and navigating the complexities of large-scale construction. The next key checkpoint will be the Pardubice city council’s decision in the coming weeks, which will determine whether this ambitious vision moves closer to becoming a reality.
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