The SKA Arena in St. Petersburg is nearing completion and set to become operational soon. This update comes from the SKA Arena management as reported by kp.ru, highlighting Dmitry Svatkovsky, the arena’s General Manager.
In early December, the arena is slated to host its first official event, the KHL All-Star Game, marking a milestone for the city’s sports calendar.
Speaking about the final preparations, Svatkovsky described the SKA Arena as a bride close to her wedding, with the last touches being arranged. Furniture will be placed, spaces tidied, and systems tested in the days ahead. The opening ceremony will be rehearsed, and test events will precede the official debut, ensuring all operations run smoothly.
Svatkovsky noted that the SKA Arena will be the largest ice palace by capacity. Beyond hockey, the venue is expected to draw audiences for figure skating and short track speed skating, while also accommodating basketball and volleyball displays.
Stressing the regional context, Svatkovsky observed that St. Petersburg is a basketball-oriented region, with the United League showing interest in hosting an All-Star Game in the near future. A potential crowded matchup between Zenit and CSKA could become the United League final, he suggested.
A previous SKA Arena LLC press release described the facility as a multifunctional sports and entertainment complex, featuring a 12-hectare landscaped park adjacent to the arena. The preliminary seating capacity is planned at 22,000 spectators, and the project’s estimated cost is 37 billion rubles, with 10 billion allocated from the city budget. The remaining costs are to be borne by the construction investor under the concession terms.
Additionally, Spartak stadium is expected to be renamed as part of this broader redevelopment effort, aligning the venue and its branding with the new sports complex.