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Pais Arena

Pais Arena is a multi-purpose indoor sports and entertainment venue in , , that opened on September 11, 2014. Located in the Malha neighborhood within the and adjacent to , it features a of 11,000 and spans 47,000 square meters across six levels, including advanced facilities like a 200-square-meter LED video board, which was described as the largest cube-shaped screen in at the time of opening. Named after Mifal HaPais, Israel's national lottery that funded its construction alongside the , the arena was designed to international standards for year-round use and is managed by the Ariel Company. It primarily serves as the home court for the Jerusalem men's basketball team in the and has hosted major international basketball competitions, including games. Beyond sports, Pais Arena is recognized as Israel's largest and most advanced multi-purpose indoor hall, accommodating a wide range of events such as concerts by global artists, cultural festivals, conferences, exhibitions, and family-oriented productions. Its versatile layout supports various seating configurations and includes 12 luxury galleries and 16 viewing suites, making it a key venue for both local and international gatherings in the region.

Development and Construction

Planning and Funding

The planning for Pais Arena originated in the early as a municipal initiative to bolster Jerusalem's sports and entertainment facilities, with an initial multipurpose arena project announced near . In October 2004, incoming Mayor Uri Lupolianski canceled the project amid budgetary constraints, despite pledges of approximately $40 million from Mifal HaPayis, $5 million from , and additional support from the Ministry of Tourism. The effort was revived in 2005 through the Jerusalem Development Authority (), marking the start of detailed planning and engineering assessments that extended through 2010. Funding for the arena totaled approximately 399 million (equivalent to about €84 million as of 2014 exchange rates), drawn primarily from the and a substantial from Mifal HaPayis, Israel's National Lottery, which provided 281 million and secured for the venue. Additional contributions included 20 million from the Israeli National Sports Betting Council, underscoring the project's reliance on public and lottery-backed resources to avoid involvement. Ownership remains with the , while operations are managed by Ariel Municipal Company Ltd., a municipal entity specializing in sports and cultural facilities. The timeline from initial conceptualization to groundbreaking spanned over five years, hampered by municipal approval processes, political transitions, and broader economic challenges, including the 2008 global that strained public budgets. A 2012 Jerusalem Comptroller Report highlighted operational delays in and , contributing to the extended pre-construction phase. occurred in September 2009, following finalized tenders for infrastructure in July of that year, setting the stage for completion in 2014.

Design and Construction

The Pais Arena was designed by Spector-Amisar Architects, led by Arthur Spector, with a focus on creating a multi-purpose venue capable of hosting diverse sports such as , , and , as well as entertainment events, adhering to international standards for both European and American competitions. The design emphasized versatility through modular elements, including structures and a prominent dome-shaped roof measuring 80 by 110 meters, engineered to support lighting, scoreboards, and other accessories while withstanding design loads. Construction began with groundbreaking in September 2009 and spanned approximately five years, culminating in completion in 2014 as part of the broader development in the Malha neighborhood. Key milestones included the erection of the framework covering about 40,000 square meters of interior space dedicated to the main arena, integrated within the total complex footprint of 47,000 square meters across multiple levels. The project, funded primarily by Mifal HaPayis through the national lottery alongside municipal and national contributions, was executed by a involving municipal and national entities at a total cost of 399 million . The arena officially opened on , 2014, following an inauguration ceremony led by Mayor , marking it as the largest indoor multi-purpose venue in the at the time.

Facilities and Features

Arena Specifications

Pais Arena's main hall features a of 11,000 spectators in its standard configuration, accommodating international standards for the sport. For and larger event setups, the modular seating allows expansion to up to 15,000 attendees by adjusting floor plans and retracting sections. The arena's interior dimensions include a dome-shaped spanning 80 by 110 , supporting a versatile main floor designed to international basketball specifications with a measuring 28 by 15 . This setup incorporates modular seating that can be reconfigured to optimize space for various activities, ensuring compliance with global event standards. Technical features emphasize broadcast-quality production, including a central cube-shaped LED video measuring 200 square —the largest of its kind in at the time of installation. The venue is equipped with an advanced and infrastructure designed to international standards, suitable for sports, performances, and televised broadcasts, integrated into the structure for even coverage. As a multi-purpose facility, the main hall adapts seamlessly to sports competitions like and temporary setups, large-scale concerts, conferences, and exhibitions through flexible staging and seating arrangements that scale with audience size. The overall arena spans approximately 47,000 square meters, enabling efficient transitions between configurations.

Additional Amenities

Pais Arena includes supporting facilities such as a medical sports center equipped for athlete care and , dedicated club rooms for team preparations, and two auxiliary halls that can host smaller-scale events or practices with flexible configurations. Accommodations are provided through an integrated 240-room athlete hotel adjacent to the arena, offering residential options tailored for visiting teams and participants to ensure convenience during extended stays. For non-sporting purposes, the site includes conference spaces and six dedicated event halls, with the largest spanning 15,000 square meters and supporting up to 11,500 attendees for exhibitions or gatherings. The surrounding Jerusalem Sports Quarter, which encompasses Pais Arena, features additional facilities including an Olympic-sized swimming pool, a tennis center (with a new facility opened in July 2025 featuring multiple courts), and an ice skating rink. Operational features emphasize efficiency, including systems for seasonal conversions in the main and energy-efficient infrastructure across the 47,000-square-meter to support year-round usage.

Location and Transportation

Site and Surroundings

Pais Arena is situated in the southwestern Malha neighborhood of , , forming a core component of the city's Sports Mile. This area represents a dedicated zone for athletic and recreational activities, positioned southwest of the city's historic center. The arena is directly adjacent to , creating a contiguous sports precinct that amplifies the neighborhood's focus on large-scale athletic venues. Malha itself blends urban-residential character with purpose-built sports developments, offering residents and visitors proximity to commercial hubs like the Jerusalem Shopping Mall while maintaining reasonable access to central through surrounding roadways. The locale benefits from integration with broader green initiatives, including expansive parklands that extend from nearby rivers to the sports complex and encompass the Biblical Zoo. As part of this strategic enclave, Pais Arena significantly bolsters Jerusalem's for hosting and events, establishing the Malha area as a pivotal hub for the city's sporting ambitions. The venue's placement on land zoned for recreational expansion underscores its contribution to a cohesive urban sports landscape. Public transit connectivity is facilitated by the nearby Jerusalem Malcha station, enhancing regional accessibility.

Access and Parking

Pais Arena is accessible via multiple public transportation options, facilitating easy arrival for visitors from across and beyond. The Jerusalem Malha railway station, operated by , is located just a five-minute walk from the arena, providing direct train connections from and other cities. Additionally, several bus lines operated by Superbus and Egged serve the area, with Superbus providing service from central locations like Rachel Imenu/Ruth to Malcha Carpark every 15 minutes (12-16 minute journey) and operating daily; Egged offers less frequent service on similar routes. Road access to the arena is optimized through major highways in the Malha neighborhood. Visitors arriving by car from the north can take the Begin South highway and exit at Malcha Junction, while those from the south should use the Begin North highway, exit at Malcha Junction, and turn right onto David Benbenishti Street. Designated drop-off zones are available near the entrances to accommodate taxis and private vehicles during events. The arena provides 1,700 on-site parking spaces in an underground lot situated between the facility and adjacent , with additional nearby options including the Malcha Mall, , Egged, and Technological Garden lots. Provisions for bus parking are included at the Egged lot, supporting group arrivals. Accessibility for disabled visitors is enhanced through proximity to these major roads, which aids in traffic management on event days, though specific ramp and details align with standard municipal guidelines for public venues. For large events, "Park and Go" shuttle services operate from peripheral lots such as Bait near Sha’are Zedek Hospital, Ammunition Hill in the north, and the Jerusalem Zoo in the south, coordinating with local transportation authorities to handle crowds efficiently.

Usage

Sports Teams

Pais Arena serves as the primary home venue for , a professional club that has resided there since the 2014-2015 season. The team competes in the , where it has secured championships in 2015 and 2017, and participates in the EuroCup, maintaining an active presence in competitions. This residency has enabled Hapoel Jerusalem to host both domestic and international games, leveraging the arena's configuration for events with a of approximately 11,000 seats. The arena has occasionally accommodated other sports, notably during the , where it featured a full-size rink for international matches in events such as the 2022 edition. utilizes dedicated facilities within the complex, including club rooms, offices, a sports medicine center, and residential accommodations to support team operations and player needs. Since establishing tenancy at Pais Arena, has benefited from a notable home-court advantage, contributing to strong performance records, including an extended at the venue. Post-2014 attendance has frequently approached or exceeded , with a 2023 (BCL) quarterfinal game against AEK drawing over 11,000 fans and setting an all-time record for in European competitions. The 2024-25 season concluded without a champion due to the ongoing war, with advancing to before the suspension. The team began the 2025-26 season in and continues in the EuroCup. The arena's design, including provisions for and other sports, supports potential expansion of regular programming beyond , though current usage remains centered on the resident team.

Notable Events

The Pais Arena was officially inaugurated on , 2014, with an , marking the venue's debut as Jerusalem's premier indoor sports facility. In sports milestones, the arena hosted the final of the , where defeated the 7-2 in the open division, drawing an estimated 9,000 spectators and setting the largest crowd ever for an event in . More recently, on November 11, 2025, Hapoel Jerusalem secured a decisive 110-93 victory over Neptūnas in a matchup, showcasing the arena's role in high-stakes international competitions. The venue has been a hub for major concerts and entertainment, including Ishay Ribo's performance on September 30, 2024, which attracted thousands for an evening of contemporary music. Eyal Golan took the stage on February 9, 2023, delivering a high-energy show that highlighted the arena's acoustics for pop performances. In 2025, performed on June 19 as part of her tour, joined by elements of Omer Adam's collaborative programming, further establishing Pais Arena as a key stop for Israel's top musical acts. Exhibitions and family-oriented events have also marked the arena's versatility, with the Infinity Exhibition, which opened in August 2024, offering an immersive experience blending , , and interactive installations that drew families and visitors through the end of . Additionally, The Great Maze, a summer 2025 family adventure featuring 3D graphics, ball pits, mirror mazes, and scavenger hunts across five zones, provided an engaging indoor activity for all ages. Pais Arena has hosted various conferences and cultural festivals, contributing to its reputation for accommodating diverse gatherings, while events like the Maccabiah hockey final underscore its role in achieving attendance records for indoor crowds in , with capacities reaching up to 11,600 for sports and over 15,000 for concerts. These milestones reflect the arena's impact on Jerusalem's cultural and sporting landscape since its opening.

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