The Spyros Kyprianou Athletic Center or Spyros Kyprianou Sports Centre (Greek: Αθλητικό Κέντρο "Σπύρος Κυπριανού", romanized: Athlitikó Kéntro "Spýros Kyprianoú"), also known as Spyros Kyprianou Arena and Palais des sports, is an indoor arena located in the Kato Polemidia district of Limassol, Cyprus. Opened in late 2005, it is named after the late president of Cyprus, Spyros Kyprianou and is the largest event hall in the country.

History

2005 World Junior & Cadet Karate Championships

This project was conducted by the Cyprus Sports Organisation (Greek: Κυπριακός Οργανισμός Αθλητισμού) and was constructed north of the city of Limassol near Kato Polemidia and by the side of Limassol–Troodos road. Construction of the project began in late 2002 and was completed at the end of 2005 at a total cost of approximately CY£8.5 million.[1][2]

The shuttle of the centre could originally host more than 6,255 spectators and at least 42 wheelchair spots. From August 2025, after renovation work is completed, it will have an increased seating capacity of 8,000. The work began in August 2024 and is being carried out by company A&A Apostolidis, assigned by the public works department through a public tender process.[3][4]

Events

The centre's arena has already hosted major sports events like the FIBA's EuroChallenge all-star basketball game from 2006 to 2008. It also played host to the Cyprus Rally headquarters for the 2005 and 2006 editions. The arena itself hosted the media and rally organisers while the parking lot was the area for the competing World Rally Championship teams.

The arena hosted the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2008.[5] Moreover, the centre is used especially for the sport events of local schools in Limassol greater area.[6] It is also the home of the volleyball teams Nea Salamis Famagusta and AEK Karava-Lampousa.

The arena will host one group stage of the 2025 FIBA EuroBasket.[7] For that purpose, plans to renovate, modernize, and expand the arena have been approved.[8][9]

References

  1. ^ "KOA – Κυπριακός Οργανισμός Αθλητισμού". Retrieved Mar 16, 2025.
  2. ^ www.squash.com.cy http://www.squash.com.cy/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=151&Itemid=218. Retrieved Mar 16, 2025. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  3. ^ "EuroBasket 2025: The legacy investment in the Spyros Kyprianou Athletic Centre will leave behind". Retrieved March 16, 2025.
  4. ^ "Works progressing at Spyros Kyprianou arena ahead of FIBA EuroBasket 2025". cyprus-mail.com. September 26, 2024. Retrieved 22 December 2024.
  5. ^ "Remember the 2008 Junior Eurovision Song Contest?". Retrieved Mar 16, 2025.
  6. ^ "Γήπεδα ομάδων σελ. 9" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-11-25. Retrieved 2013-11-12.
  7. ^ "Cyprus will host EuroBasket 2025 group in Limassol". March 29, 2022.
  8. ^ "ΒΙΝΤΕΟ: Έτσι θα μεταμορφωθεί το «Σπύρος Κυπριανού» ενόψει Ευρωμπάσκετ 2025". ΠΟΛΙΤΗΣ.
  9. ^ "«Μεταμορφώνεται» το «Σπύρος Κυπριανού» για το Eurobasket 2025 (BINTEO)". AlphaNews.Live.
Allikas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spyros_Kyprianou_Athletic_Center
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