Official Fan Zone for five thousand spectators and accompanying cultural program. Ostrava has been preparing for the 2024 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship

The 2024 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship  is fast approaching and preparations and construction work are in full swing at the Group B venue. An Official Fan Zone for 5,000 spectators is being built in the immediate vicinity of the Ostrava Arena.

Exciting games - including the Czech team - on the big screen!

Next to the Ostrava Arena, an Official Fan Zone has been built with two large screens, which will broadcast attractive games from both the Prague and Ostrava Arenas every day. Hockey fans will also be able to enjoy the Czech national team in Ostrava during the 2024 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship, at least vicariously.

"Fans will have the opportunity to cheer for their favorite teams and enjoy the unforgettable atmosphere of the 2024 IIHF WM together with other enthusiasts. And I believe it will be worth it, because the capacity of the Official Fan Zone is five thousand visitors and the entrance is free. You don't need a game admission ticket or anything else. The Official Fan Zone will be open daily from 2 PM, and even from 11 AM on the three-game days. We will close at about the end of the evening game," Irena Šašková, the deputy general secretary of the 2024 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship LOC Ostrava, inviting to the Moravian-Silesian capital.

The Ostrava Official Fan Zone covers an area of seven thousand square metres and is divided into two parts. It is located in the immediate vicinity of the arena, in two adjacent car parks that are part of the Ostrava Arena. Entrances are from three sides including Zavodní and Ruská Streets.

Fans who do not want to take advantage of the discounted seven-day 2024 IIHF WM public transport pass and prefer to buy individual tickets can purchase tram or bus tickets at the ticket machine in the Official Fan Zone and get home easily after the game.

Official mascots Bob and Bobek and concerts

Fans will have the opportunity to snag a photo with mascots Bob and Bobek, who will stop by the Official Fan Zone before each game. From the outset, the organisers planned to align the program with the countries of the teams playing in the Ostrava group B. "We have invited Slovak bands Iné Kafe, Heleniné oči, and Hrdza, and from Poland we will have a lineup of musicians from Big Bike Orchestra and Foxy Hunters. The program will also feature revival bands such as Prague Queen, Rolling Stones Revival Brno, Red Hot Chilli Peppers Revival, Czech Floyd (Pink Floyd Tribute) or Banda del Caffe, and the evening games will be accompanied by DJs," says Renáta Mecová, the marketing manager of the 2024 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship LOC Ostrava.

"In addition, visitors can look forward to a large exhibition by the Official Main Sponsor Skoda, other activities from Official Sponsors and Official Partners, or they can purchase fan merchandise at the official merchandising shop," concludes Renáta Mecová.

In addition to activities by the Official Main Sponsor Skoda, fans will be entertained by Official Sponsors Raiffeisen and Tipsport as well as Official Partners Coca Cola, PLYRS and Samsung.  The Host City of Ostrava and the Moravian-Silesian Region are also contributing a relax zone and an additional screen for game transmissions.

The Official Fan Zone will operate on a cashless system, and it will not be possible to pay with cash. Organizers recommend that visitors check that they have a credit or debit card with them before visiting.

In the Fan Zones excellent Czech Beer on Tap 

Pilsner Urquell has partnered with the 2024 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship and visitors will be able to enjoy it during their visit to the Official Fan Zones both in Prague and Ostrava. "We are delighted to provide fans with freshly tapped Pilsner Urquell and we are confident that visitors will have a great time in the Official Fan Zone, setting the stage for the ice hockey games at the Ostrava Arena," says Irena Šašková.

Just like in Prague, Pilsner Urquell will offer hockey fans spacious tents, designed to recreate the atmospehere of a large "Pilsner pub". "Guests from around the globe can savor the Pilsner on tap served by the finalists of the Master Bartender competition, participate in bartending classes, engage in pub quizzes and enjoy many other activities," explains Ladislav Kolář, the National Sponsoring Manager of Pilsner Urquell.

Tickets still available for the USA or Sweden

Team rosters are filling up and the big favourites in Ostrava's Group B have announced the names of several overseas stars. Sweden will be led by elite defencemen Victor Hedman, Rasmus Dahlin and Erik Karlsson, while the USA will be represented by Brady Tkachuk. Tickets for the USA, the Swedish team or the medallists from the 2023 IIHF Ice Hocke World Championship - the Germans and Latvians - are still on.

For full details, visit the official 2024 IIHF WM website
2024.iihfworlds.com.