O2 Arena
(formerly Sazka Arena, stylised as O2 arena) is a multi-purpose arena, in Prague, Czech Republic. Built in time for the 2004 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships, O2 Arena is the home of HC Slavia Prague of the Czech Extraliga and part-time home of HC Lev Prague of the KHL. In the 2012-13 season, three Rytiři Kladno home games were also played there, one of which attracted an Extraliga-record crowd of 17,182. It hosted the Euroleague basketball Final Four in 2006. Also in 2008 arena hosted Floorball Championship.
History
The idea of building a new arena in Prague came on the heels of the "golden era" of Czech ice hockey: winning 3 gold medals in a row. The arena was proposed to be built in time to host the 2003 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships, but due to unforeseen complications with the investors,[citation needed] the ice hockey governing body had to switch that tournament to Finland. The arena's main backer then became Sazka a.s., a Czech betting company. The construction of the arena (which began in September 2002) was not without problems, but it was finally finished in time to host the 2004 tournament, the 2004 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships. In March 2008, the building was renamed O2 Arena. In March 2011, Sazka filed for insolvency due to debts from building the arena.
Notable events
Visitor record held by Madonna concert in 2006, which was attended by 18 628 spectators.
In October 2008, the New York Rangers and Tampa Bay Lightning opened the 2008–09 NHL season at O2 Arena with two games. Two years later, the NHL returned, with the Boston Bruins and Phoenix Coyotes playing twice. In November 2008, the French electronica pioneer Jean Michel Jarre performed his Oxygène album live at the arena, as part of the second leg of the Oxygène 30th anniversary tour.In December 2008, the arena played host to the playoff matches of the 2008 Men's World Floorball Championships, including Finland's 7-6 victory over Sweden in the final. Sting performed during his Symphonicities Tour on September 22, 2010, along with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.In November 2010 Lady Gaga performed there during her Monster Ball Tour.On December 7, 2011 Rihanna performed there during her Loud Tour
The Czech Republic Davis Cup Team defeated Spain in the 2012 Davis Cup Final.
On November 22, 2012 Muse performed there during their The 2nd Law World Tour.
