HSBC Arena

This article is about the arena in Rio de Janeiro. For the arena in Buffalo, New York formerly known as HSBC Arena, see First Niagara Center.

HSBC Arena

File:HSBC Arena Rio logo.jpg The then-Arena Olímpica during the 2007 Pan American Games
Former names	Arena Olímpica do Rio (Jul–Dec 2007, 2016) Rioarena (Dec 2007–Mar 2008)
Location	Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Owner	City of Rio de Janeiro
Operator	GL Events
Capacity	14,981 (sports events) 18,768 (concerts)
Construction
Broke ground	November 2005
Opened	July 2007
Construction cost	R$ 125.971.202,92
Tenants
Flamengo Basketball 2016 Summer Olympics 2016 Summer Paralympics

HSBC Arena, originally Arena Olímpica do Rio (Rio Olympic Arena) (name to be used during the 2016 Summer Olympics under the no-commercial name policy), and formally RioArena, is an indoor multi-purpose arena, located in the region of Barra da Tijuca, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The arena was completed in July 2007. It has a capacity of 14,981 for sports and 8,830–18,768 for concerts.

History

The arena hosted the basketball and gymnastics events at the 2007 Pan American Games. In December 2007, it started being operated by GL Events, who also operates the nearby Riocentro Convention Center and the Riocentro Sports Complex, and started hosting many concerts from a variety of artists. It has also hosted the telethon show, Criança Esperança, after 2008, replacing Ginásio Ibirapuera as the host. Starting on 29 March 2008, it was renamed as the HSBC Arena, as part of a naming rights agreement with the bank.

Queen + Paul Rodgers concluded their Rock the Cosmos Tour at the arena on 29 November 2008. This performance marked the end of Paul Rodgers' collaboration with Queen lead guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor. American pop singer Demi Lovato performed at the arena for her South American Tour 2010 on May 27, 2010. American pop singer Miley Cyrus performed at the arena for her Gypsy Heart Tour on May 13, 2011, and it was Cyrus' first concert in Brazil.

On March 27, 2011, Iron Maiden's performance at the arena had to be postponed to the following night after a security barrier collapsed during the opening song. The entire audience was allowed to attend the following night's show, although those who couldn't attend were given a refund.

The arena hosted UFC's second event in Brazil, UFC 134, which took place on August 27, 2011. It was the first event in Brazil in over ten years. Three other UFC events have since been held in the arena: UFC 142, on January 14, 2012; UFC 153, on October 13, 2012; and UFC 163, on August 3, 2013.

An NBA game between the Chicago Bulls and the Washington Wizards was also held at HSBC Arena in 2013. The arena also hosted the 2014 edition of the FIBA Intercontinental Cup between Flamengo and Maccabi Tel Aviv. The NBA also hosted a preseason game between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Miami Heat on 11 October 2014, as part of the NBA Global Games.

Brazilian organizations Tatame and Globo have reported that the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro will be the host of UFC 190 on August 1, 2015, featuring Ronda Rousey vs. Bethe Correia as the event's headliner. A similar report has also been posted on MMAFIGHTING.com on 03/19/2015.

2016 Olympics

The arena will also host all of the gymnastics events of the 2016 Summer Olympics being the first time all these events are held at the same venue and wheelchair basketball events of the 2016 Summer Paralympics. The HSBC Arena name will not be used during the Olympics (the original name of the arena will be used instead), since corporate sponsorship is not allowed in the names of Olympic venues.

Pictures

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  HSBC Arena facade, during the 2007 Pan American Games. Picture of July 22, 2007.

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  Inside the HSBC Arena, in a men's basketball game at the 2007 Pan American Games. Picture of July 25, 2007.

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  2007 Pan American Games.

External links

• HSBC Arena website (Portuguese) and (English)
• HSBC Arena 360° Virtual Tour
• UFC no HSBC Arena (Portuguese)
• HSBC Arena During The 2014 FIBA Intercontinental Cup

Preceded by Ginásio José Corrêa Barueri, São Paulo

FIBA Intercontinental Cup Final Venue 2014

Succeeded by Ginásio do Ibirapuera São Paulo