A new chapter in Czech sports infrastructure is unfolding in the heart of Jihlava, where a multipurpose arena is nearing completion.

Designed by Chybik + Kristof Architects & Urban Designers, the Horácká Multifunctional Arena is set to become one of the most versatile sports and leisure centers in the country.

Construction began in the autumn of 2023 and will be completed later this year.

With a capacity of 5,650 spectators, the arena is more than just a hockey stadium.

“Located in the heart of Jihlava, this arena reflects a deliberate and forward-thinking decision by the city (Jihlava),” say architects Ondrej Chybik and Michal Kristof. It represents a bold reinvention of urban sports spaces–designed to blend into the city rather than stand apart from it.

At its core, the new complex honors Jihlava’s passion for hockey. As it will be the future home for HC Dukla Jihlava, the city’s legendary club and 12-time Extraliga champions. Since its founding in 1956, Dukla has shaped Czech hockey history and cultivated generations of elite players.

Yet, its vision goes well beyond ice. The arena includes an adaptable ice rink that can host everything from high-level sporting competitions to concerts and exhibitions, as well as an indoor gym and a rooftop running track offering city views.

Chybik + Kristof’s vision prioritizes public engagement, flexibility, and long-term community benefit.

During the planning phase, local children were invited to reimagine and draw the arena through their eyes–a creative initiative to indicate whether the architecture resonates even with society’s youngest members.

The results: a space as iconic and recognizable as it is functional.

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