WilkinsonEyre and Boele Architects have won an international architecture competition to design the new Ball Sports Arena in České Budějovice, Czech Republic.
The Arena represents an opportunity to design and construct a world-class sports and entertainment venue — a new spiritual home for local teams and a vibrant hub for the broader community of České Budějovice.
Designed by WilkinsonEyre in collaboration with Czech British studio Boele Architects, the Arena will welcome people from all walks of life. Inspired by the Möbius strip – a unique, continuous form with only one side and one edge – it embodies energy, unity, and perpetual motion: a bold emblem of progress and a catalyst for positive transformation in České Budějovice.
“We are thrilled to have been selected for this exciting project, which presents a unique opportunity to build on our design expertise and passion for sports architecture,” commented Sam Wright, Board Director for WilkinsonEyre. “We look forward to collaborating with our partners to create a world-class venue that inspires both athletes and spectators alike.”
More than just an arena, the project offers a new human-scaled public square and gateway to an exhibition park, forming a central landmark in the city’s visionary new masterplan.
“By revitalising and redefining the southern entrance to the České Budějovice Exhibition Grounds, this project creates a catalyst for new development on the left bank of České Budějovice, ” said Boele Founding Director, Petr Suma.
Run by the South Bohemian Region, the single-stage international architectural competition called for the design of a multifunctional sports arena for 5,000 spectators, including adjacent public space, a car park and office building. The WilkinsonEyre / Boele proposal was selected unanimously from 29 entries.“It’s a unique design. We’ll have a world-class arena in České Budějovice. The jury was unanimously enthusiastic,” said South Bohemian Governor Martin Kuba.
“The winning proposal combines functionality and design in an exemplary way. It’s immediately clear where everything is,” said Petr Hornát, Head of Regional Development and Spatial Planning for the South Bohemian Region.
Designed primarily for volleyball, the fully flexible arena will also host a range of ball sports including handball, floorball, basketball and futsal; as well as concerts and conferences. Construction is expected to begin next year.
