SUNEL Arena, also known as the Ano Liosia Olympic Hall, is a multi-purpose indoor arena located in Ano Liosia, in the western section of Athens, Greece. Originally built to host martial arts events during the 2004 Athens Summer Olympics, the arena has since been adapted for various uses. In 2021, the arena became the home for AEK B.C., for their games in the Greek Basket League and the Basketball Champions League.
The arena has a seating capacity of 8,327 for sporting events, with permanent tier seating. This capacity increases to 9,327 when the collapsible seating tiers are fully deployed, providing flexibility for a variety of events, including sports competitions, concerts, and other large gatherings.
History
Athens 2004 and the years after
Ano Liosia Olympic Hall was opened in 2004. The arena was used to host the judo and wrestling events at the 2004 Athens Summer Olympics.[3]
After the 2004 Athens Summer Olympics, the venue became the site of various television productions, including the Greek version of the reality show So You Think You Can Dance. From 19 May to 6 June 2010, the arena hosted the Greek Ice Hockey Championship, for both men and women. At one point in time, the arena was scheduled to be the home of the Hellenic Academy of Culture and Hellenic Digital Archive.[4][5]
Basketball
AEK B.C.
On May 13, 2019, the Greek Government decided to cede the venue to the General Secretariat of Sports, with the aim of subsequently ceding it to AEK B.C.[6] On June 22, 2020, it was announced that the arena's use until the year 2040, was granted to the professional basketball club A.E.K., of the Greek Basket League, in order for the arena to host the home games of the club.[7] The club will begin using the arena for the 2021–22 season. On 18 November the Hall's Gymnasium was named "Gymnastirio Stevan Jelovac".[8]
SUNEL Arena
AEK BC and SUNEL Group, on September 18, 2024, announced a major partnership renaming their home arena to "SUNEL Arena". This historic collaboration marks the first time a Greek basketball team has named its venue. The arena, a former Olympic facility, is set to become the first in Greece to achieve a zero carbon footprint as part of a long-term sustainability project. The five-year deal, extending until 2029, reflects AEK's commitment to environmental responsibility. SUNEL, an energy group operating in 12 countries, specializes in renewable energy and energy efficiency solutions.[9]
In February 2024, Greece faced Romania in the Davis Cup World Group I playoffs at the Ano Liosia Olympic Hall, marking a critical match for the Greek team.[10] Led by Stefanos Tsitsipas, the Greek team secured a decisive 3-0 victory. Tsitsipas won his singles match on the first day, while his brother, Petros Tsitsipas, teamed up with him for a thrilling doubles victory against Romania’s Marius Copil and Victor Vlad Cornea. The Tsitsipas brothers overcame an initial set loss to win the match 6-7(4), 6-3, 6-4, sealing Greece’s spot in the World Group I for only the second time in its history. [11]
^Συγκίνηση έγιναν τα αποκαλυπτήρια του γυμναστηρίου Στέφαν Γέλοβατς capitano.gr
^"Και το όνομα αυτής… SUNEL Arena!". AEK BC (in Greek). 2024-09-17. Retrieved 2024-09-17.
^"Davis Cup 2024: ΕΛΛΑΔΑ vs ΡΟΥΜΑΝΙΑ. Στο «Ολυμπιακό Κέντρο Άνω Λιοσίων» η συνάντηση με τη Ρουμανία στο World Group 1 του Davis Cup στις 3 και 4 Φεβρουαρίου 2024". efoa.gr (in Greek). 2023-12-04. Retrieved 2024-09-17.
^"Tsitsipas Brothers Team Up To Seal The Win For Greece At Davis Cup". tennis-infinity.com. 2024-02-04. Retrieved 2024-09-17.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ano Liosia Olympic Hall.
Αυτοψία στο "παλάτι" των Άνω Λιοσίων που θέλει να κάνει σπίτι της η ΚΑΕ ΑΕΚ (in Greek)
Line A2 at Ano Liosia
Line A2 at Ano Liosia
