The PostFinance-Arena (originally known as Eisstadion Allmend and Bern Arena) is an
indoor arena
An arena is a large enclosed platform, often circular or oval-shaped, designed to showcase theatre, musical performances, or sporting events. It is composed of a large open space surrounded on most or all sides by tiered seating for spectator ...
in
Bern
german: Berner(in)french: Bernois(e) it, bernese
, neighboring_municipalities = Bremgarten bei Bern, Frauenkappelen, Ittigen, Kirchlindach, Köniz, Mühleberg, Muri bei Bern, Neuenegg, Ostermundigen, Wohlen bei Bern, Zollikofen
, website ...
,
Switzerland
). Swiss law does not designate a ''capital'' as such, but the federal parliament and government are installed in Bern, while other federal institutions, such as the federal courts, are in other cities (Bellinzona, Lausanne, Luzern, Neuchâtel ...
. It is primarily used for
ice hockey
Ice hockey (or simply hockey) is a team sport played on ice skates, usually on an ice skating rink with lines and markings specific to the sport. It belongs to a family of sports called hockey. In ice hockey, two opposing teams use ice ...
and is the home arena of
SC Bern
Schlittschuh Club Bern ('' Ice-skating Club Bern'' in English) is an ice hockey team based in Bern, Switzerland. They play in the National League (NL), the top tier of the Swiss hockey league system. For the 18th year in a row, the club is the mos ...
. It was opened in October 1967 and currently accommodates 17,031 people.
Construction
A characteristic of the PostFinance Arena is that it has the world's largest standing room grandstand within an arena, with a capacity of 10,422 bench seats. The main roof comprises
glulam arches, tied by steel tension members at their springing points. The maximum span of these arches is 85 metres.
History
The PostFinance Arena was the main arena for the
2009 IIHF World Championships, and had already hosted the
inaugural Victoria Cup the previous year. Likewise, in May 2016, the
2016 European Women's Artistic Gymnastics Championships
The 31st European Championships in Women's Artistic Gymnastics Seniors and Juniors was held from 1 to 5 June 2016, at the PostFinance-Arena in Bern, Switzerland. It was the first time the city had hosted a major female international competition (i ...
were held at the arena.
PostFinance Arena holds a Europe-wide attendance record, having a 16,203 spectator average in the 2008/2009 season.
Renovation
Due to its age and with an eye towards the 2009 IIHF World Championships, the arena was renovated. The holder invested about
CHF 100 million (~$100 million) into the extension and restoration of the building. The modification was finished by April 24, 2009, when the World Championships started. The interior of the arena is mostly unchanged, especially the steep standing room stand, which is very popular with the fans. However the VIP-zone was entirely rebuilt and the capacity there was extended by about 500. The total capacity is now 17,031 spectators.
See also
*
List of indoor arenas in Switzerland
The following is a list of indoor arenas in Switzerland with a capacity of at least 1,000 spectators, most of the arenas in this list are for multi use proposes and are used for popular sports such as individual sports like karate, judo, boxing as ...
*
List of European ice hockey arenas
References
External links
*
{{IIHF World Championship venues
Sports venues completed in 1967
Indoor arenas in Switzerland
Indoor ice hockey venues in Switzerland
Buildings and structures in Bern
Sports venues in the Canton of Bern
1967 establishments in Switzerland