Žalgirio Arena is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the New Town of Kaunas, Lithuania. The arena is located on an island of the Nemunas River and is the largest indoor arena in the Baltics.[1] The arena's maximum possible seating capacity for basketball games is 15,415,[2] and 20,000 spectators for concerts (when the stage is in the middle,[3] and 17,000 when stage is in the side of the arena). The Žalgiris Arena replaced the Kaunas Sports Hall as a major venue in the city.
The Žalgirio Arena is used to host basketball games as well as concerts. The arena's namesake basketball club BC Žalgiris, which currently competes in the domestic LKL and the EuroLeague, uses the facility for all of its European and LKL home fixtures. BC Žalgiris and Žalgiris Arena has had the highest average attendance in the Euroleague in 2011–12, 2012–13, 2017–18, 2018–19, 2019–20, 2020–21.
History
The arena's construction started in September 2008; the main contractor of the arena is the Lithuanian construction company Vėtrūna, chief architect – Eugenijus Miliūnas. The total cost of the arena is estimated to be 168.8 million litas (50 million euros). The arena was opened on 18 August 2011 with a basketball match between Lithuania and Spain.
The Žalgiris Arena held the playoffs and finals of the 37th European Basketball Championship (EuroBasket 2011), which took place in September 2011.
On 5 December 2015, the Lithuanian group SEL set a new attendance record in the arena - 20,517 spectators with 360 stage concert.
On 6 January 2016, EuroLeague clubs general managers voted Žalgiris Arena as the tournament's best arena.[4][5]
The venue hosted some matches of the 2021 FIFA Futsal World Cup, including the opening and final matches.
On June 19, 2022, the highest attendance record of a foreign artist in indoor spaces in Lithuania was achieved - Dua LipaFuture Nostalgia Tour concert was watched by 15,656 spectators.
The Žalgiris Arena is the largest in the Baltic states and covers 39,684 m2 (427,160 sq ft). It holds 20,000 spectators for concerts. It is situated in the eastern part of the Nemunas river island and its shape has nine corners. The arena's facade is made of high-end and highly transparent glass. A part of the facade has a unique metal wall, which is already naturally encrusted with rust.
It is equipped with some unique[citation needed] technical solutions, such as power windows and modern ice-making installation.[8] Advanced audio equipment (amplifiers, digital mixing engines and stage boxes) by Yamaha is installed in the Žalgiris Arena.[9] The arena has 48 VIP suites, 21 suites for the Žalgiris basketball club and media, 9 suites for a single rent, an exhibition hall, and a fitness center. There are 8 halls in the arena, where more than 150 various events take place annually.
The complex has been expanded with a 50-meter Olympic pool with 10 lanes and seating for 500 spectators was installed in the arena and opened its doors in September 2022. Adjacent is an additional 25-meter pool with two 90-cm-deep lanes for teaching children to swim. The pool, equipment and facilities are adapted to meet the requirements of the International Swimming Federation (FINA) allowing it to host international level competitions.
