Arena Sofia (Bulgarian: Арена София, [ɐˈrɛnəˈsɔfijə]) is a multi-purpose indoor arena located in Sofia, Bulgaria. Opened in July 2011, it has a seating capacity of 12,373.[1] It was formerly called Arena Armeets after the Bulgarian insurance company Armeets purchased the naming rights, until the sponsorship was terminated in October 2022.[2]
Designed as a universal hall for cultural events and sports, the arena could host up to 30 types of sports, including basketball, volleyball, handball, futsal, boxing, tennis, weightlifting, fencing and gymnastics competitions, as well as concerts with a maximum capacity of 17,906. There are 887 parking lots, 614 of them placed in a central exterior parking, 231 placed in near streets and 42 designated for disabled people.
Major events and notable firsts
Arena hosting the 2018 Sofia Open
The first major concert in the arena was held by Jean Michel Jarre, followed by artists Sade and Amorphis.
During three days in February 2012 the arena hosted the Cirque du Soleil show Saltimbanco for the first time in Bulgaria.[4] Between 9 and 11 November 2012 it also hosted the travelling ice showDisney on Ice, another debut for the country.[5]
The arena recorded its first sold-out game on 9 June 2012, when 12,501 fans (128 more than the official capacity) came to see the Olympic qualification volleyball match between France and Bulgaria. It will be used for the 2020 FIBA Under-17 Basketball World Cup.
Bulgaria's ruling GERB party is a consistent user of the arena, having held its rallies and conferences within it for years. This trend was bucked during late 2019 Bulgarian local elections, as the party wanted to undertake a "humble" campaign.[7]
^"Дженифър Лопес - Събитие - Арена Армеец София". Arenaarmeecsofia.com. Archived from the original on 2012-11-04. Retrieved 2012-09-09.
^"Горан Брегович - Събитие - Арена Армеец София". Arenaarmeecsofia.com. Archived from the original on 2015-04-02. Retrieved 2012-09-09.
^"ENNIO MORRICONE – THE BEST MOVIE MUSIC COMPOSER OF THE 20TH CENTURY FOR THE FIRST TIME IN BULGARIA (ArenaArmeecSofia.com)". Archived from the original on 2013-10-19. Retrieved 2013-10-18.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Arena Armeets, Sofia.