O2 Arena (Prague)

O2 arena, formerly Sazka Arena, is a multifunctional arena in Prague, Czech Republic. It was built in time for the 2004 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships. 
 
==Recent events==
In October 2008, the New York Rangers and Tampa Bay Lightning opened the 2008–09 NHL season at the O2 Arena with two games.
In December 2008, the arena played host to the playoff matches of the 2008 Men's World Floorball Championships, including the 7:6 Finnish upset over Sweden.
==History==
The idea of building a new arena in Prague came on the heels of the "golden era" of Czech ice hockey: winning 3 gold medals in a row. The arena was proposed to be built in time to host the 2003 World Championship tournament in ice hockey, but due to unforeseen complications with the investors, the ice hockey governing body had to switch that tournament to Finland. The arena's main backer then became Sazka a.s., a Czech betting company.
The construction of the arena (which began in September 2002) was not without problems, but it finally finished in time to host the 2004 tournament. 
In March 2008 the building was renamed O2 Arena.
==Sources==
*NHL to Play in Prague
*official web pages
==External links==
*Official website of the O2 arena
Category:Indoor ice hockey venues in Czech Republic
Category:NHL neutral site venue