Former names | O2 World (2008-15) |
---|---|
Location | O2-Platz 1, Friedrichshain, Berlin, Germany |
Operator | AEG |
Capacity | Concerts/MMA: 17,000 Basketball: 14,500 Ice hockey: 14,200 |
Surface | Multi-surface |
Construction | |
Broke ground | 2006 |
Opened | September 2008 |
Construction cost | € 165 million |
Architect |
HOK Sport (now Populous) JSK Architects |
Tenants | |
ALBA Berlin (BBL) (2008–present) Eisbären Berlin (DEL) (2008–present) EuroBasket 2015 |
Coordinates: 52°30′20″N 13°26′36″E / 52.50556°N 13.44333°E
The Mercedes-Benz Arena (German pronunciation: [mɛʁˌtseːdəsˈbɛnts ʔaˌʁeːnaː]) (originally known as O2 World[ʔoːˈtuː ˌvœːɐ̯lt]) is a multipurpose indoor arena located in the Friedrichshain neighborhood of Berlin, Germany. The arena opened in September 2008. Developed by Anschutz Entertainment Group, O2 Germany purchased the naming rights.
With a capacity of 17,000 people, it is home to the Eisbären Berlin ice hockey club and the ALBA Berlin basketball team, and is used for other ice hockey, basketball and handball matches as well as concerts. The surrounding area will be filled with various entertainment venues including a cinema, a casino, a hotel and various bars and restaurants.
The arena hosted the 2008–09 Euroleague Final four. The arena was one of the most prominent elements of the Mediaspree urban redevelopment project, quickly gaining emblematic status in the debates surrounding the project's impact.