ST. PETERSBURG, 28 January (BelTA) – Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko and Russian President Vladimir Putin have paid a visit to SKA Arena, the world’s largest hockey stadium recently built in St. Petersburg, BelTA has learned.
Earlier on the day, the heads of state joined a video link to attend the ceremony to launch a new wintering complex at the Vostok station in Antarctica. After the event, Aleksandr Lukashenko and Vladimir Putin had a one-on-one meeting.
SKA Arena is a hockey stadium of the SKA club in St. Petersburg. Construction work began in 2020 and was completed in 2023. The arena was built on the site of the demolished sport and concert complex Peterburgsky. The new arena can accommodate more than 21,500 ice hockey fans, which makes it the largest hockey stadium in the world.
The presidents were briefed on the features of the new arena, technical and constructive solutions used in its construction.
“It is gorgeous,” the Belarusian leader said talking about the arena.
Aleksandr Lukashenko and Vladimir Putin were shown the SKA Arena facilities, as well as the conditions created for both players and fans.
The two heads of state talked to the SKA players and watched their training session. The presidents received the team’s hockey jerseys as gifts.
“I hope Dinamo Minsk will win here sometimes!” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
SKA is the only representative of St. Petersburg in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL), the current holder of the Continental Cup. Today SKA is the main contributor to Russian national teams of all ages.
The team tops the Western Conference in the Kontinental Hockey League, being among the favorites to win the Gagarin Cup.
SKA Arena is to host its first hockey match on 11 February.
