Unibet Arena Explained

Unibet Arena
Location:Haabersti, Tallinn, Estonia
Coordinates:59.4261°N 24.6475°W
Broke Ground:7 July 2000[1]
Opened:November 2001
Owner:Marcel Vichmann
Operator:OÜ Best Idea
Surface:Versatile
Architect:Esa Viitanen (Pro Ark OY)
Andres Kariste (North Project AS)
Project Manager:Lemminkäinen Eesti AS
Former Names:Saku Suurhall (2001–2022)
Tenants:BC Kalev/Cramo (KML) (2001–present)
Seating Capacity:Concerts: 10,000 (with standing)
Basketball: 7,200 seated

Unibet Arena (named Saku Suurhall until 31 December 2022[2]) is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the Haabersti subdistrict of the Estonian capital, Tallinn. Opened in November 2001, it is the largest multi-purpose hall in the country with around 7,200 seats but can hold up to 10,000 people.

It generally hosts basketball games, as well as sport competitions, trade fairs, corporate events and concerts. The name sponsor for the arena is the Swedish sports betting company Unibet and the venue is owned by businessman Marcel Vichmann via his company Best Idea OÜ.

History

Initial plans for the arena were announced in August 1999.[3] Unibet Arena opened in November 2001. Since 2002, the arena is a member of the European Arenas Association (EAA).

A total of 13,220 m2 spread over four floors. Every year around 300 events take place in the hall, of which about 70 are major events. It accommodates up to 10,000 spectators, of which 7,200 are seated. The first event in the hall was the Irish dance show Lord of the Dance.[4]

Past events

Some of the notable events, which took place in the arena are:

Music

Sports

Concerts

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Saku hall saab 13 kuuga valmis. Saku hall will be ready in 13 months. www.ohtuleht.ee. et. 19 October 2000. 22 December 2022.
  2. Web site: Voltri . Johannes. 19 December 2022. Saku Suurhall Unibet rebranding does not infringe advertising laws. 22 December 2022. ERR. en.
  3. Web site: Estonia to construct the biggest arena in the Baltics. Kairi. Kurm. baltictimes.com. 12 August 1999. 23 December 2022.
  4. Web site: FAKTE HALLIST - Unibet Arena . https://web.archive.org/web/20200301172340/http://www.unibetarena.ee/kulastajale/fakte-hallist/ . 1 March 2020 . 31 December 2022 . www.unibetarena.ee . et.
  5. Web site: History – Tallinn International Horse Show. 2 February 2021.