Lithuanian 3×3 basketball has taken another step towards international recognition. It has become clear what the new Hoptrans outdoor arena, which will open its doors this summer, will look like.
This building will accommodate about 1500 spectators, its area – 1600 square meters. It will be the largest outdoor arena in Lithuania. It is also important that it is mobile – mobility will allow events taking place in the arena to be moved to various places of the country.
In such arenas the highest level 3×3 basketball events are held all over the planet – FIBA 3 × 3 World Tour Masters tournaments. The new arena will also be distinguished by the fact that it will accommodate the stands for fans under the roof.
Rolandas Skaisgirys, the founder of the 3×3 basketball association, said that the development of the idea of such building in Lithuania has started back in 2019, after visiting the Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) Masters tournament.
„What I saw in 3×3 basketball – the most amazing arena was there. When I returned to Lithuania, I said that we would have such arena here. I can say that this arena is even better.
The difference is nature – arena in Jeddah is adapted to sunny and dry weather, and ours – to rainy and windy weather, so it is structurally different, more adapted to European weather conditions. But infrastructure wise this will be the first such arena in the world „, – said R. Skaisgirys.
„Of course, that would be a main advantage for the Masters tournament. The arena is mobile – it can travel to Stockholm, Berlin, St. Petersburg, Vilnius or Druskininkai, its uniqueness is mobility”.
The new arena will open its doors to the fans in the final stage of the Lithuanian 3×3 basketball championship, which will take place in spring. It will also be possible to watch the top-level 3×3 battles in the Hoptrans 3×3 tournament, which will take place for the second year in a row.
The arena we used last year in Palanga had between 500 and 600 seats. It took about a month to build. They can’t even be compared. Although that arena was cozy, good, with its charm, but there is a completely different level here”, – R. Skaisgirys spoke about the new and old arena.
In addition, the Hoptrans Arena will be used this summer not only for multi-sport competitions or local community events, but also for other entertainment, such as concerts or watching sporting events such as the Olympic Games or the European Football Championship.
