Arena Burgas (Bulgarian: Арена Бургас) is a multifunctional indoor arena located in Burgas, Bulgaria. The arena opened on May 18, 2023, following over five years of delays.[3] It has a seating capacity of 4,100 for sports events, which is expandable up to 6,100, and up to 15,000 for concerts.[2] The arena is home to BC Chernomorets, who play in the NBL, the top flight of Bulgarian basketball.
 | |
| Location | Burgas, Bulgaria |
|---|---|
| Parking | 800 spaces |
| Owner | Burgas Municipality |
| Capacity | 4,100 (expandable to 6,100) Concerts: 15,000[2] |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | October 20, 2014 |
| Opened | May 18, 2023 |
| Construction cost | BGN 64 million EUR 32.7 million[1] |
| Architect | Ivaylo Petkov |
| Tenants | |
| BC Chernomorets (NBL) | |
History
editConstruction for the arena took over eight years. After breaking ground in late 2014 with a planned budget of 38 million Bulgarian lev and a completion date of January 2017, the project was met with multiple delays and funding issues,[4][5] with the final official budget figure ballooning to 64 million.[1]
In 2022, under then-Minister of Youth and Sports Radostin Vassilev, a proposal was made to grant an additional 15 million lev in funding to finish the arena, however this attempt to secure additional funding was unsuccessful.[2] Following more than five years of delays, the multifunctional arena was officially opened on May 18, 2023, in the presence of Bulgarian President Rumen Radev, Burgas mayor Dimitar Nikolov, and other government officials,[6] with a playoffs match between BC Chernomorets and BC Rilski Sportist of the NBL.[7]
The long delays, alongside the string of both successful and failed budget increases, have turned the multipurpose arena into a symbol of corruption in Burgas[8] and Bulgaria as a whole,[1][9] with Hristo Ivanov, leader of the opposition coalition Democratic Bulgaria, describing it as the crown jewel of corruption under Boyko Borisov and GERB in 2021.[10]
In 2023, the arena hosted Glory 89, a kickboxing event headlined by Petpanomrung Kiatmuu9 and David Mejia.[11] In March, 2024, it hosted the 2024 Bulgarian Basketball Cup.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c Kumanov, Georgi (17 May 2020). ""Арена Бургас" е готова осем години след първата копка и при двойни разходи" [Arena Burgas finished eight years after breaking ground and at double cost]. Capital (in Bulgarian). Economedia. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
- ^ a b c Evtimov, Yavor (27 March 2023). "Има нова светлина в тунела на "Арена Бургас"" [There is a new light at the end of the tunnel for Arena Burgas] (in Bulgarian). Sega. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
- ^ Raykov, Dimcho (18 May 2023). ""Арена Бургас" отвори с 5 години закъснение" [Arena Burgas opened after 5 years of delays] (in Bulgarian). 24 Chasa. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
- ^ Kartunov, Bozhidar (20 October 2021). "Седем години след първата копка завършването на "Арена Бургас" отново се отлага" [Seven years after breaking ground, the completion of Arena Burgas is delayed once again]. Dnevnik (in Bulgarian). Economedia. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
- ^ Atanasova, Stanimira (4 January 2022). "Недовършената "Арена Бургас" ще бъде готова за Евроволей 2023" [The unfinished Arena Burgas will be ready for EuroVolley 2023]. bTV Sport (in Bulgarian). PPF Group. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
- ^ "След дълго чакане: Президентът Радев откри "Арена Бургас"" [After a long wait: President Radev opened Arena Burgas]. Darik News (in Bulgarian). United Group. 18 May 2023. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
- ^ Nikolaev, Emil (12 May 2023). "След петгодишно забавяне "Арена Бургас" ще бъде открита с баскетболен мач на 18 май" [After 5 years' delay, Arena Burgas will open with a basketball match on May 18]. Dnevnik (in Bulgarian). Economedia. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
- ^ "Официално откриха един от символите на корупцията в областта – спортна зала "Арена Бургас"" [Arena Burgas, a symbol of corruption in the province, was officially opened] (in Bulgarian). 18 May 2023. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
- ^ ""Продължаваме промяната" осветли фрапиращи нередности при стоителството на "Арена Бургас"" [We Continue the Change sheds light on striking irregularities in the construction of Arena Burgas] (in Bulgarian). 24 Chasa. 9 September 2023. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
- ^ "Христо Иванов: "Арена Бургас" е корупционното бижу на Борисов" [Hristo Ivano: Arena Burgas is the corruption crown jewel of Borisov]. Club "Z" (in Bulgarian). 9 March 2021. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
- ^ Zouiten, Sara (7 October 2023). "Badr Hari Loses to Uku Jurjenda in Glory 89 Grand Prix Qualifier". Morocco World News. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
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