For three decades, the Czech city of Jihlava debated whether to replace its deteriorating 1950s ice rink on its longtime site at the edge of the historic medieval city centre or relocate the arena to the outskirts. When the city launched an architectural competition for the project back in 2019, CHYBIK + KRISTOF proposed keeping the arena — plus an existing training centre and an operations facility — in situ, while reimagining it as a porous piece of public infrastructure. “Locating an arena directly at the edge of Jihlava’s historic centre presented a unique urban opportunity — such facilities are rarely built in these contexts,” says Ondřej Chybík, founding partner, CHYBÍK + KRIŠTOF Architects. “From the outset, our goal was to create a structure that becomes a natural part of the city: one that respects its historical context while bringing a contemporary energy.”
When it first opened in November 2025, the new 5,650-seat sports and culture venue was instantly iconic, clad in red aluminum panels — perforated to allow for natural light and ventilation — inspired by the heraldic red of the municipality and the club colours. The triangular motif that runs along the building’s upper rim nods subtly to the city’s Gothic architecture, and the spine of a hedgehog, another of the city’s symbols. An integrated lighting system turns the façade into an interactive display, flashing when goals are scored during hockey matches, and changing colours when other events are taking place (There are also five large-scale light installations inside, four of which depict the region’s heritage and the last which reinterprets the Dukla club logo).
The bold palette is carried indoors: The stands, formed from pigmented prefab concrete that matches the façade, are outfitted with bespoke folding seats, courtesy of Czech manufacturer Kovostal, that do double-duty as an acoustic solution, their undersides moulded with a geometric pattern that absorbs sound and reduces echo. A continuous circulation space wraps around the seating area, forming a kind of city square where guests can gather, including wheelchair accessible spaces that offer some of the best views in the arena.
The facade’s triangular motifs also find their way into the interior details: Angular hand-cast light fixtures, designed by CHYBÍK + KRIŠTOF for Czech glassworks BOMMA, are embedded in the concrete walls, while the wayfinding system by Lukáš Kijonka shares a similarly graphic sensibility.
Beyond hosting hockey matches, the building was designed to be flexible enough to accommodate all manner of events, from concerts to conferences (Additional seating in retractable stands can expand the building’s capacity to more than 7,400). The roof’s steel trusses were left exposed, offering greater technical flexibility for the building’s varied uses.
At one corner of the site, a new six-storey auxiliary structure, clad in striking silver, is complete with a fan shop and Hall of Fame, plus a restaurant, a 29-room hotel, a gym and sports hall, transforming the complex into a mixed-use hub. On its roof, a 230-metre running track is accessible to all, including local schools, affording sweeping views of the historic centre and bringing life to the site when not in use for events.
The project was conceived as “a public building first and an event venue second,” Chybík explains. “Our aim was to create a building that lives with the city every day — beyond games or concerts. The arena is part of the city’s structure, not an isolated island. It’s a place where people meet, feel invited and welcome, and where everyday life blends with extraordinary experiences.”
To this end, the architects took great care to improve access to the site and ensure strong connections with its neighbours: a university, a residential street, a brewery and a local park. Large entrances and generous glazing create stronger connections between the arena and these surrounding public spaces, while the roof overhang forms an arcade that facilitates travel between the university and the park. Reconciling a six-metre grade discrepancy across the site, a new staircase acts as an amphitheatre and informal gathering space between matches.
“We wanted the arena to be a place not only for sport and culture, but also for relaxation, social encounters and active leisure – a venue alive 16 hours a day, 365 days a year,” says David Beke, Jihlava City Architect. “I believe we have managed to fulfil this vision.”
Jihlava Municipal Arena has been a catalyst for investment in public space. The neighbouring park, Smetanovy Sady, has since been refurbished by its original landscape designer, Zdeněk Sendler. A gateway to the new arena, the park now features a typographic sculpture by Czech artist KrištofKintera, which spells out SOUHRA-PROHRA-VÝHRA (which translates to teamwork-defeat-victory) with salvaged railings from the old ice rink, paying homage to the site’s history while giving it a distinctly contemporary identity.
In Czechia, A New Arena Acts as an Urban Connector
Rather than treating the venue as an isolated destination on the city’s periphery, CHYBIK + KRISTOF keeps it embedded in Jihlava’s historic centre, using the building to reinforce existing pedestrian routes and open the site for everyday access.