Unibet Arena

Unibet Arena
Interactive map of Unibet Arena
Former names
Saku Suurhall (2001–2022)
LocationHaabersti, Tallinn, Estonia
Coordinates59°25′34″N 24°38′51″E / 59.42611°N 24.64750°E / 59.42611; 24.64750
OwnerMarcel Vichmann
OperatorOÜ Best Idea
CapacityConcerts: 10,000 (with standing)
Basketball: 7,200 seated
SurfaceVersatile
Construction
Groundbreaking7 July 2000
OpenedNovember 2001
ArchitectsEsa Viitanen (Pro Ark OY)
Andres Kariste (North Project AS)
Project manager
Lemminkäinen Eesti AS
Tenants
BC Kalev (KML) (2001–present)
Estonia men's national basketball team (2001–present)

Unibet Arena (named Saku Suurhall until 31 December 2022) is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the Haabersti subdistrict of the Estonian capital, Tallinn. Opened in November 2001, it is the largest multi-purpose hall in the country with around 7,200 seats but can hold up to 10,000 people.

It generally hosts basketball games, as well as sport competitions, trade fairs, corporate events and concerts. The name sponsor for the arena is the Swedish sports betting company Unibet and the venue is owned by businessman Marcel Vichmann via his company Best Idea OÜ. The renaming sparked controversy due to restrictions on gambling advertising in Estonia, but the Estonian Consumer Protection and Technical Regulatory Authority did not consider the new name a violation of advertising law.

History

Arena during 2023–24 Latvian–Estonian Basketball League Final game
A view of Haabersti in 2023 with Unibet Arena and Rocca al Mare Shopping Centre.

Initial plans for the arena were announced in August 1999. Unibet Arena opened in November 2001. Since 2002, the arena is a member of the European Arenas Association (EAA). It was originally named after the Estonian brewery and soft drink company Saku.

Every year around 300 events take place in the hall, of which about 70 are major events. The first event in the hall was the Irish dance show Lord of the Dance. The basketball team BC Kalev/Cramo has been based at the arena since 2001.

In 2029, the arena is set to host the group phase matches of the FIBA EuroBasket.

Construction and facilities

The area of the main hall is approximately 2,800 m²; its dimensions are 70 × 40 m, and the height is 16 m. The floor of the hall is made of concrete and can be covered with rubber mats or portable sports surfaces, including for basketball, volleyball, badminton and other team sports.

The total area of the complex, which is spread over four floors, exceeds 13,000 m². In addition to the main hall, the building houses rooms for seminars, receptions, and recreation; the large hall can be transformed into several smaller spaces using special curtains. The maximum capacity is 7,200 seats, of which 5,100 are fixed seats and 2,100 are portable.

Past events

Some of the notable events, which took place in the arena are:

Music

Sports

Concerts

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Saku hall saab 13 kuuga valmis" [Saku hall will be ready in 13 months]. www.ohtuleht.ee (in Estonian). 19 October 2000. Retrieved 22 December 2022.
  2. 1 2 Voltri, Johannes (19 December 2022). "Saku Suurhall Unibet rebranding does not infringe advertising laws". ERR. Archived from the original on 2 February 2023. Retrieved 22 December 2022.
  3. 1 2 "FAKTE HALLIST - Unibet Arena". www.unibetarena.ee (in Estonian). Archived from the original on 1 March 2020. Retrieved 31 December 2022.
  4. ↑ Kurm, Kairi (12 August 1999). "Estonia to construct the biggest arena in the Baltics". baltictimes.com. Archived from the original on 23 December 2022. Retrieved 23 December 2022.
  5. ↑ "FIBA EuroBasket 2029 hosts announced". FIBA. 22 May 2025. Retrieved 23 May 2025.
  6. ↑ "History – Tallinn International Horse Show". Retrieved 2 February 2021.