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| KölnArena | |
|---|---|
| Name | KölnArena |
| Location | Cologne |
| Opened | 1998 |
| Capacity | 20,000 |
| Owner | Lanxess AG |
| Architect | Gerkan, Marg und Partner |
| Tenants | Kölner Haie |
| Coordinates | 50.9403°N 6.9798°E |
KölnArena is a multipurpose indoor arena located in Deutz, Cologne, in the North Rhine-Westphalia region of Germany. Since its opening in 1998 the venue has hosted professional ice hockey Kölner Haie matches, international concert tours, and tournaments for handball and basketball. The arena is situated in a major cultural and transport hub near the Rheinpark and the Cologne Trade Fair grounds.
The arena project was developed during the 1990s amid urban regeneration initiatives connected to the World Expo 2000 bidding atmosphere and the expansion of Cologne's event capacity. Construction commenced after design selection by Gerkan, Marg und Partner and local planners; the venue formally opened in 1998 hosting inaugural events featuring international concert promoters and sports federations. Over the years the facility has staged fixtures for clubs like Kölner Haie and international competitions involving the International Ice Hockey Federation and European Handball Federation, while also welcoming touring artists represented by agencies such as Live Nation and CTS Eventim. The arena has been a chosen stop for global acts associated with labels and management companies, contributing to Cologne's profile alongside institutions like the Cologne Cathedral and Museum Ludwig.
Designed by Gerkan, Marg und Partner, the arena features a bowl configuration with seating adaptable for ice hockey, handball, basketball, and concert staging. The roofed structure integrates engineering techniques common in late-20th-century arenas, using steel trusses and acoustic treatments similar to those in venues managed by operators like ASM Global and AEG Presents. Facilities include multiple hospitality suites, broadcast facilities compatible with networks such as ARD and ZDF, VIP lounges used during corporate events by firms like Lanxess AG, and backstage areas sized for touring productions from major promoters including AEG Live. The design allows conversion of the playing surface to ice for Kölner Haie games or to hardwood for Basketball Bundesliga fixtures, with rigging points to support large-scale concert productions.
Regular tenants have included the Kölner Haie of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga and occasional home fixtures for regional basketball clubs. The arena has hosted international fixtures organized by the IIHF and the EHF, as well as championship rounds for national cup competitions. Musicians and bands on global tours by promoters such as Live Nation and AXS have staged concerts there, alongside residencies and televised specials broadcast on RTL Television and ProSieben. The venue has also been used for corporate exhibitions by companies like Lanxess AG and for cultural events tied to institutions including Kölner Philharmonie collaborations and charity galas supported by organizations like UNICEF Germany.
The arena is adjacent to Deutz/Messe station, linking to regional and long-distance services operated by Deutsche Bahn and the Rhine-Ruhr S-Bahn. Local tram and light rail connections include lines of the Kölner Verkehrs-Betriebe network, providing access from central nodes such as Köln Hauptbahnhof and Köln Messe/Deutz. Road access is facilitated via the A3 and A4 autobahns with parking areas managed in cooperation with the Cologne municipal authorities. During major events, coordination with agencies such as Polizei Nordrhein-Westfalen and transport operators ensures crowd management and shuttle services to nearby attractions like the Lanxess Arena precinct and Rheinpark.
Ownership and operational responsibility have involved corporate entities including Lanxess AG and professional venue management firms with links to European operators. Day-to-day management practices mirror standards used by international venue operators such as SMG Europe and ASM Global for booking, safety, and commercial partnerships. Commercial relationships extend to ticketing platforms like CTS Eventim and promotional alliances with broadcasters including ARD and ZDF for televised events. Governance includes municipal oversight by Cologne authorities for licensing and compliance with regional regulations.
Since opening, the arena has undergone periodic upgrades to seating, hospitality, and technical infrastructure to meet requirements from bodies such as the Deutsche Eishockey Liga and touring production standards set by Live Nation. Renovation phases have targeted LED lighting retrofits, acoustic enhancements, and modernization of player facilities to align with contemporary expectations from federations like the IIHF and EHF. Investments have also supported digital ticketing integration with platforms like CTS Eventim and broadcast-capable upgrades compatible with networks including RTL Television and ProSieben.
Category:Sports venues in Cologne Category:Indoor arenas in Germany