# Arena Sofia

Arena Sofia (Bulgarian: Арена София,) is a multi-purpose indoor arena located in Sofia, Bulgaria. Opened in July 2011, it has a seating capacity of 12,373. It was formerly called Arena Armeets after the Bulgarian insurance company Armeets purchased the naming rights, until the sponsorship was terminated in October 2022.
Designed as a universal hall for cultural events and sports, the arena could host up to 30 types of sports, including basketball, volleyball, handball, futsal, boxing, tennis, weightlifting, fencing and gymnastics competitions, as well as concerts with a maximum capacity of 17,906. There are 887 parking lots, 614 of them placed in a central exterior parking, 231 placed in near streets and 42 designated for disabled people.

## Major events and notable firsts

The first major concert in the arena was held by Jean Michel Jarre, followed by artists Sade and Amorphis.
The arena has hosted the 2012 European Taekwon-do ITF championship in May, followed by the 2012 Aerobic Gymnastics World Championships in the first three days of June. The city was previously awarded the 2004 edition of the event.
During three days in February 2012 the arena hosted the Cirque du Soleil show Saltimbanco for the first time in Bulgaria. Between 9 and 11 November 2012 it also hosted the travelling ice show Disney on Ice, another debut for the country.
The Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2015 was held in the arena on 21 November 2015, the first time a Eurovision event was held in Bulgaria.
The arena recorded its first sold-out game on 9 June 2012, when 12,501 fans (128 more than the official capacity) came to see the Olympic qualification volleyball match between France and Bulgaria. It will be used for the 2020 FIBA Under-17 Basketball World Cup.
Bulgaria's ruling GERB party is a consistent user of the arena, having held its rallies and conferences within it for years. This trend was bucked during late 2019 Bulgarian local elections, as the party wanted to undertake a "humble" campaign.

## List of major sporting events

* European qualification tournament for Wrestling at the 2012 Summer Olympics – April 2012
* European qualification for the 2012 Men's Olympic Volleyball Tournament – 8–13 May 2012
* 2012 Aerobic Gymnastics World Championships – 1–3 June 2012
* World qualification for the 2012 Men's Olympic Volleyball Tournament – 8–10 June 2012
* 2012 FIVB World League Final Round – 4–8 July 2012
* 2012 WTA Tournament of Champions – 30 October – 4 November 2012
* 2013 Summer Deaflympics – 26 July – 4 August 2013
* 2013 WTA Tournament of Champions – 29 October – 3 November 2013
* 2013 Trampoline World Championships - 7–10 November 2013
* 2014 European Women's Artistic Gymnastics Championships – 12–18 May 2014
* 2014 European Men's Artistic Gymnastics Championships – 19–25 May 2014
* 2014 FIG Rhythmic Gymnastics World Cup Sofia - 9–10 August 2014
* 2014 WTA Tournament of Champions – 28 October – 2 November 2014
* 2015 FIG Rhythmic Gymnastics World Cup Sofia - 15–16 August 2015
* 2015 Men's European Volleyball Championship - 9–18 October 2015
* 2016 Garanti Koza Sofia Open - 1–7 February 2016
* 2016 FIG Rhythmic Gymnastics World Cup Sofia - 27–29 May 2016
* 2016 World Sambo Championships - 10–14 November 2016
* 2017 Garanti Koza Sofia Open - 5–12 February 2017
* 2017 European Taekwondo Championships 20–23 April 2017
* 2017 FIG Rhythmic Gymnastics World Cup Sofia - 5–7 May 2017
* 2017 Trampoline World Championships - 9–12 November 2017
* 2018 Diema Xtra Sofia Open - 4–11 February 2018
* 2018 World Junior Figure Skating Championships - 5–11 March 2018
* 2018 FIG Rhythmic Gymnastics World Cup Sofia - 30 March-1 April 2018
* 2018 Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships - 10–16 September 2018
* 2018 FIVB Volleyball World Championship - 9–30 September 2018
* 2020 FIBA Under-17 Basketball World Cup - 4–12 July 2020