OAKA Basketball Arena[2], previously known as Olympic Indoor Hall of O.A.C.A., is a part of the Spyros LouisOlympic Athletic Center of Athens (Greek: O.A.K.A. «Σπύρος Λούης»). It was completed in 1994 and is the largest indoor venue in Greece. It was used for sporting events at the 2004 Summer Olympics. The venue is located in Marousi, a northern suburb of Athens. During its construction, it was considered to be one of the biggest and most modern indoor sports arenas in all of Europe.
The 18,300-capacity arena[3] is accompanied by an adjacent training facility, and a parking lot.
In 2023, Panathinaikos B.C. signed an agreement with the Greek state for a 49-year concession of the asset,[4] making the club the sole tenant and binding it to invest in the renovation of the asset's infrastructure. The club has since transferred the responsibility of managing the venue to White Veil S.A., a company which specializes in venue and facilities management, and is also owned by Dimitris Giannakopoulos.
Construction
Exterior of buildingThe A-frame designed roof (2011)Indoor Hall plan
The Olympic Indoor Hall is notable for its distinctive A-frame roof that features four huge pillars, each of which is 35 meters tall, that stand 108 meters apart from each other. According to the Greek Ministry of Sports,[5] it is the largest indoor sporting arena of its kind in the world. The arena is also constructed in a unique way so that an abundant amount of natural light comes into the arena during the day.[6]
The arena was used for artistic gymnastics and trampolining, and also hosted the finals of the basketball matches at the 2004 Summer Olympics.[11] Renovation of the building for the Olympics was completed on 30 June 2004, and it was officially reopened on 10 August 2004, shortly before the beginning of the games.
The arena was used to host the quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals stages of the 1998 FIBA World Championship.
On 4 and 6 May 2007, the Indoor Hall hosted the EuroLeague2006–07 season's Final Four, the semifinals and finals rounds of Europe's principal pro club competition in basketball, which saw hometown favourite Panathinaikos win the title.
In 2023 Panathinaikos B.C. and the Greek government reached agreement for the exclusive use of the Athens gym for the next 49 years.[14]
Musical events
On 18 and 20 May 2006, the Hall hosted the 51st Eurovision Song Contest, that was held in Athens, after Greece's victory at the Song Contest in 2005. There were 15,000 seats available for spectators, both for the semifinal and the grand final.
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