Žalgiris Arena

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. The arena's maximum possible seating capacity for basketball games is 15,415,[1] and 20,000 spectators for concerts (when the stage is in the middle, 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.

Žalgirio Arena
AddressKaraliaus Mindaugo pr. 50
LocationKaunas, Lithuania
Coordinates54°53′25″N 23°54′52″E
OwnerKaunas City Municipality
Capacity
Variable
Construction
Broke ground26 September 2008
Opened18 August 2011
Expanded2022 (swimming venue)
Construction cost€50 million
ArchitectEugenijus Miliūnas
Main contractorsVėtrūna
Tenants
Žalgiris Kaunas (LKL, Euroleague) (2011–present)
Website
zalgirioarena.lt

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.[2][3]

The venue hosted some matches of the 2021 FIFA Futsal World Cup, including the opening and final matches.

On 19 December 2022, Kaunas was announced as a host city for the 2023 EuroLeague Final Four, the first in Lithuania's sports history.[4] The Final Four was held on 19–21 May 2023 in the Žalgiris Arena and the Real Madrid Baloncesto won the Grand Final versus the Olympiacos B.C. 79–78.[5]

Arena information
Žalgiris Arena interior in 2011

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 technical solutions, such as power windows and modern ice-making installation.[6] Advanced audio equipment (amplifiers, digital mixing engines and stage boxes) by Yamaha is installed in the Žalgiris Arena.[7] 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.

Major events

Since its opening in 2011, Žalgiris Arena hosted many concerts. The main stars, who held concerts in Kaunas were: Red Hot Chili Peppers,[8] Lenny Kravitz,[9] Sting,[10] Eric Clapton,[11] Elton John,[12] Rammstein,[13] Slash,[14] Marilyn Manson,[15] Katie Melua,[16] Prodigy,[17] James Blunt,[18] Hurts,[19] Jean Michel Jarre,[20] Zucchero,[21] Sarah Brightman,[22] Kylie Minogue,[23] Robbie Williams,[24] Iron Maiden,[25] Mariah Carey,[26] Muse,[27] and Dua Lipa. On May 5, 2017, Canadian pop star Nelly Furtado re-announced that she will be performing at the venue on October 24, 2017, instead of performing on October 13, 2017,.[28] On April 18, 2017, Queen played at the venue on November 17, 2017, as a part of the Queen + Adam Lambert Tour.[29] On 11 March 2018, it hosted the final of the Eurovizija 2018.[30]

Motocross World Championship event Night of the Jumps also took place in Žalgiris Arena on March, 2013. This event was part of Night of the Jumps world tour.[31]

The arena hosted the 2021 FIFA Futsal World Cup group, play-offs and final matches.[32]

The Žalgirio Arena is hosting the 36th Final Four of the modern EuroLeague Final Four era on 19–21 May 2023.[33]

Žalgirio arena will host ISU European Figure Skating Championships 2024 on 8–14 January 2024.

EuroLeague attendance

This is a list of EuroLeague games attendance of Žalgiris at Žalgiris Arena.

Pos Season Total High Low Average
1 2011–12[lower-alpha 1]105,30715,0009,15013,163
1 2012–13161,10315,42010,19013,475
7 2013–14118,43312,0008,1509,869
6 2014–15117,04014,3828,67010,640
2 2015–16131,99814,7908,70211,000
2 2016–17171,26615,2318,62111,418
1 2017–18230,51815,52510,19513,560
1 2018–19251,74215,51713,56914,808
1 2019–20199,08815,3429,40514,221
1 2020–2110,3815,1312393,460
  1. Only Top 16 marches were played.

See also

References
  1. "Kaunas and Berlin to host EuroLeague Final Four in 2023 and 2024". Sportcal. 2022-12-19. Retrieved 2023-09-03.
  2. "Eurolygos klubų vadovų apklausa: "Žalgirio" arena – geriausia Europoje". 24sek.lt. Retrieved 5 January 2016.
  3. Urbonas, Donatas. "Magiška vieta Kaune, kurios pavydi visa Europa". 24sek.lt. Retrieved 6 January 2016.
  4. "2023 and 2024 Final Fours awarded to Kaunas and Berlin". Euroleague Basketball. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
  5. "Kaune liejasi raudonos ašaros – po fantastiško S.Llullo metimo Eurolygos sostą užėmė Madrido karaliai". 15min.lt (in Lithuanian). Retrieved 21 May 2023.
  6. "Žalgirio arenos langai bus su varikliais" (in Lithuanian). Retrieved 18 September 2011.
  7. Thirty-One Yamaha Amplifiers Score Maximum Points at Žalgiris Arena
  8. Maželytė, Edita (July 28, 2012). "Kauno "Žalgirio" arenoje siautė "Red Hot Chili Peppers" gerbėjai" (in Lithuanian). Delfi. Retrieved May 13, 2016.
  9. Jurkevičius, Martynas (November 15, 2011). "Lenny Kravitzas Žalgirio Arenoje valdė gyvu rokenrolu" (in Lithuanian). Kultūrnamis. Retrieved May 13, 2016.
  10. "Sting koncertas Kauno Žalgirio arenoje (video)" (in Lithuanian). Kas vyksta Kaune. July 31, 2011. Retrieved May 13, 2016.
  11. Zilnys, Ramūnas (June 4, 2013). "E. Claptono koncertas Kaune: dvi valandos muzikos mokantiems klausytis" (in Lithuanian). lrytas.lt. Retrieved May 13, 2016.
  12. "Kaune koncertavęs Eltonas Johnas atsiprašė dėl prikimusio balso, bet gerbėjų nenuvylė" (in Lithuanian). 15min.lt. December 19, 2013. Retrieved May 13, 2016.
  13. Bulota, Šarūnas (February 6, 2012). "Kauno "Žalgirio" arenoje garso ir ugnies pragarą sukūrė "Rammstein"" (in Lithuanian). 15min.lt. Retrieved May 13, 2016.
  14. Zilnys, Ramūnas (February 15, 2012). "Rokeris Slashas apie koncertą Kaune: "Sekso nebuvo, bet buvo gerai" (interviu)" (in Lithuanian). lrytas.lt. Retrieved May 13, 2016.
  15. Maželytė, Edita (June 12, 2012). "Skandalingasis M.Mansonas Kaune paskleidė savo juoduosius kerus" (in Lithuanian). Delfi. Retrieved May 13, 2016.
  16. Bulota, Ramūnas (November 25, 2012). "Kauno "Žalgirio" arenoje susirinkusią publiką užbūrė lyrinės dainininkės Katie Melua dainos" (in Lithuanian). 15min.lt. Retrieved May 13, 2016.
  17. Bulota, Ramūnas (May 25, 2012). ""The Prodigy" Kaune nurovė stogą" (in Lithuanian). 15min.lt. Retrieved May 13, 2016.
  18. Orieškaitė, Ainė (October 2, 2011). ""Žalgirio" arenoje – šėlsmas ir be krepšinio: J.Blunt sugrįžimas į Lietuvą" (in Lithuanian). Delfi. Retrieved May 13, 2016.
  19. Paplekšnytė, Lolita (October 12, 2011). ""Hurts" lietuvaičius graudino teatrališkumu, baltomis rožėmis ir bučiniu trispalvei" (in Lithuanian). Delfi. Retrieved May 13, 2016.
  20. Jurkevičius, Martynas (October 20, 2011). "Jean-Michel Jarre Kaune lazeriais grojo "Essential" gabalus" (in Lithuanian). Kultūrnamis. Retrieved May 13, 2016.
  21. "Nemirtingo hito "Baila Morena" atlikėjas Zucchero Kauno senamiestyje kaitino moterų širdis" (in Lithuanian). 15min.lt. June 19, 2013. Retrieved May 13, 2016.
  22. "Po 10 metų į Lietuvą sugrįžusi Sarah Brightman klausytojus nuskraidino į kosmosą" (in Lithuanian). 15min.lt. February 22, 2014. Retrieved May 13, 2016.
  23. Svėrytė, Monika (October 31, 2014). "Seksualioji popmuzikos žvaigždė Kylie Minogue Kaune kurstė gerbėjų aistras" (in Lithuanian). 15min.lt. Retrieved May 13, 2016.
  24. "Į Robbie Williamso koncertą Kaune suplūdo tūkstantinė gerbėjų minia" (in Lithuanian). 15min.lt. April 5, 2015. Retrieved May 13, 2016.
  25. "Metalo milžinai "Iron Maiden" pirmą kartą atvyksta į Lietuvą" (in Lithuanian). Delfi. November 2, 2015. Retrieved May 13, 2016.
  26. Pocytė, Kristina (April 9, 2016). "Blizgučiais ir žavesiu Kauną užbūrusi M. Carey ypatingai pamalonino žiūrovą Andrių" (in Lithuanian). Delfi. Retrieved May 13, 2016.
  27. Achmedovas, Rafaelis. ""Muse" Kaune tūkstančiams gerbėjų "nunešė stogą"". DELFI. Retrieved 2017-04-18.
  28. "Pasaulinė žvaigždė Nelly Furtado pirmąsyk koncertuos Lietuvoje" (in Lithuanian). Retrieved 2017-04-18.
  29. "Oficialu: legendinė roko grupė "Queen" surengs koncertą Lietuvoje". DELFI. Retrieved 2017-04-18.
  30. Granger, Anthony (17 February 2018). "Lithuania: Eurovizija 2018 final held in Kaunas". p. eurovoix.com. Retrieved 11 March 2018.
  31. "NIGHT of the JUMPs Kaunas 2013". Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme. February 10, 2013. Retrieved May 13, 2016.
  32. "FIFA Futsal World Cup 2021". the Federation Internationale de Football Association. April 30, 2021. Retrieved July 25, 2022.
  33. "2023 and 2024 Final Fours awarded to Kaunas and Berlin". Euroleague Basketball. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
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