Palace of Sports, Kyiv

The Palace of Sports (Ukrainian: Палац Спорту, Palats Sportu) is an indoor sport-concert complex situated in the center of Kyiv, Ukraine. The complex is an independent state enterprise.

Palace of Sports

Палац Спорту
Location	Shevchenko, Kyiv, Ukraine
Coordinates	50°26′14″N 30°31′20″E
Public transit	Kyiv Metro: at Ploshcha Lva Tolstoho at Palats Sportu
Owner	Kyivskyi Palats Sportu CJSC
Capacity	Concerts: 10,000 Ice hockey: ≤7,000
Field size	66 m x 102 m
Surface	floor/ice variable
Construction
Built	1958–1960
Opened	December 9, 1960
Renovated	1981–82, 2004–05, 2010–11
Architect	Mykhailo Hrechyna, O. Zavarov
Tenants
Kyiv-Basket (2018–present)

History

It was built between 1958–1960, to design of Mykhailo Hrechyna and Oleksiy Zavarov, as a major indoor sports arena and was opened on 9 December 1960.[1] Constructivism Architecture, an artistic movement sporting mostly simple geometric forms was used in the design.

In the first 50 years, the Sports Palace was the venue for 16 world championships, 28 European championships, 42 championships of the USSR and more than 4,000 concerts and theatre shows as stage performances. In addition, there were around 400 exhibitions and fairs. The events attracted more than 24 million visitors.[2]

Renovations

Full exterior view (August 2013)

In 1980–1982, the Palace of Sport was reconstructed (by the Kyivproject Institute and the Kuiv Zonal Scientific Research Institute for Experimental Design). The lighting and technical facilities were almost completely modernized, the interiors and halls were expanded and otherwise illuminated, the palace was equipped with numerous changing rooms and sideboards.

The Palace of Sports was confirmed by officials as the host venue for the Eurovision Song Contest 2005 in September 2004.[3] However, in order to host the contest, the facilities had been brought up to the standard required by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). At the end of December 2004, work began on the renovation of the hall,[4] for which approximately 4 million francs were allocated.[5] Renovation works were to be finished by 20 April,[6] however, they were completed at the beginning of May.[7][8] The arena could accommodate over 5,000 seated spectators. Additionally 2,000 press delegates were catered for.

A further reconstruction took place from October 2010 in preparation to host matches for the 2011 IIHF World Championship Division I. As part of the reconstruction, the backstage space was completely re-equipped, six sports locker rooms were installed, the hall lighting was modernized, and the ventilation, air-conditioning, heating and fire safety systems were completely replaced. In addition, a modern quadrilateral display appeared above the arena. In the stands, plastic seats were installed in the colors of the national flag: the total number of seats is 6,900 for sporting events, increased to 9,800 when in concert-mode.[9]

Events

Hungary vs. Austria match at 2017 IIHF World Championship Division I.

2016–17 Ukrainian Basketball SuperLeague final, Budivelynk vs. Khimik (April 2017)

The venue hosts indoor sports games, concerts, major exhibitions and trade fairs.

Sport

The hall hosts ice hockey, basketball and boxing competitions. The home teams have included the ice hockey club HK Sokol Kyiv and the basketball clubs BC Kyiv and BC Budivelnyk.

Major sporting events to be held at the arena include the 2012 Professional Hockey League All-Star Game, 2013 FIBA Europe Under-16 Championship and 2013 World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships.[10]

Eurovision

It hosted the Eurovision Song Contest 2005, which required the facilities to be brought up to the standard, required by the European Broadcasting Union. Four years later, the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2009 was hosted in the venue. It is the only venue to have hosted both the junior and adult versions of the song contest (Rotterdam Ahoy will share this honour following the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2007 and Eurovision Song Contest 2021 in May 2021).

Concerts

The Sports Palace is also a popular venue for concerts, having been the venue for Didier Marouani and Space on 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 of July 1983, Ace of Base, Backstreet Boys, Black Eyed Peas, Britney Spears, Deep Purple, Judas Priest, A-ha, Jamiroquai, Jean Michel Jarre, Moby, Thirty Seconds to Mars, Muse, Placebo, Limp Bizkit, The Rasmus, Christina Aguilera, Anastacia, Lenny Kravitz, Chris Rea, Lara Fabian, Depeche Mode, Sting, Marilyn Manson, The Prodigy and others.

Business

The Sports Palace hosts annual business events, such as: «Megatraining», «Dream Big Forum», «Big Money Forum», «Business Concentrate», «Online Business Laboratory».

References

1. "Palace of Sports (Kyiv). History of the complex". erch2014.com.
2. https://web.archive.org/web/20160916040124/http://www.spalace.com.ua/index.php/the-palats-sportu-covered-arena
3. "Eurovision NTU and EBU confirm: Palats Sportu - ESCToday.com". 6 September 2004. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
4. "Eurovision Renovation of Palats Sportu has begun". ESCToday.com. 26 December 2004. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
5. "Eurovision NTU President doubts about Palats Sportu expenses". ESCToday.com. 27 April 2005. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
6. "Eurovision 'Palats Sportu must be finished by 20 April'". ESCToday.com. 27 February 2005. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
7. "Eurovision Kyiv: The stage is taking shape". ESCToday.com. 4 May 2005. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
8. "Eurovision Palats Sportu scene is getting ready". ESCToday.com. 11 May 2005. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
9. "В Киеве открыли обновленный Дворец спорта". СПОРТ.UA.
10. "The 2013 World Championships in Kiev!". Archived from the original on 2012-08-31. Retrieved 2013-06-06.

External links

Media related to Kyiv Palace of Sports at Wikimedia Commons

• Official website (in Ukrainian)