Skonto Hall

{{Infobox venue

| name = Skonto Hall

| nickname = Skonto Arena

| image = Olimpiskā Skonto halle, Rīga, Latvia - panoramio.jpg

| image_size = 250px

| caption =

| fullname = Olimpiskā Skonto Halle

| location = Riga, Latvia

| coordinates = {{Coord|56|57|43|N|24|6|52|E|type:landmark_scale:3000|display=inline,title}}

| opened = 1996

| renovated = 2006, 2010

| expanded =

| owner = Halle LV Ltd.

| operator =

| capacity = 8,000 (standing)
2,000 (seated)

| tenants = Skonto FC (2006–2016)

| website =

}}

Skonto Hall (also known as Skonto Arena) is an arena in Riga, Latvia. In the lobby of Skonto there are conference halls, a gym, and an arena with an artificial football field,{{Cite web|url=https://www.delfi.lv/sports/news/futbols/skonto-halle-atklas-modernu-maksligo-futbola-laukumu.d?id=36471199|title='Skonto' hallē atklās modernu mākslīgo futbola laukumu|first=DELFI|last=Sports|date=January 26, 2011|website=delfi.lv|access-date=17 July 2019}} which also hosts numerous exhibitions and concerts. The multi-purpose hall was originally built in 1996 and can accommodate either 2,000 seated spectators or 8,000 standing spectators.{{Cite web|url=http://www.rigathisweek.lv/object/tourism-info/event-venues/skonto/1272|title=Skonto|website=Skonto - Riga This Week|access-date=17 July 2019}} It is immediately adjacent to Skonto Stadium.

History

File:Riga Skonto Stadium.jpg

Skonto Hall was renovated in early 2006, for its use as one of the venues for the 2006 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships alongside the newly built Arēna Rīga. The hall also hosted the Eurovision Song Contest 2003, with a maximum capacity of 6,500.{{Cite web|url=https://wiwibloggs.com/2018/09/15/eurovision-2019-media-reports-only-4000-tickets-available/226994/|title=Media claims "only 4000" tickets will be available to Eurovision shows|date=September 15, 2018|website=wiwibloggs|access-date=17 July 2019}}

After the World Ice Hockey Championships, the arena was the home of Riga basketball club BK Skonto Riga, but it is also used as a conference and congress center.

Due to outstanding loan payments, the hall was taken over by asset management company Reverta in 2011. On 15 October 2013, an auction which included the stadium was planned.{{Cite web|url=https://www.delfi.lv/bizness/bankas_un_finanses/par-12-5-miljoniem-eiro-plano-izsolit-skonto-stadionu.d?id=43713488|title=Par 12,5 miljoniem eiro plāno izsolīt 'Skonto' stadionu|date=October 7, 2013|website=delfi.lv|access-date=17 July 2019}} At the auction, however, the property was not sold, but on 15 July 2014 it was acquired by SIA "SSA Assets".{{Cite web|url=http://sportacentrs.com/futbols/latvijas_izlase/17072014-jaunais_ipasnieks_par_skonto_kompleksu_ja|title=Jaunais īpašnieks par "Skonto" kompleksu jau pilnībā norēķinājies|date=July 17, 2014|website=Sportacentrs.com|access-date=17 July 2019}}