PalaLottomatica
Encyclopedia
PalaLottomatica, formerly known as Palazzo dello Sport or PalaEUR, is a multi-purpose sports and entertainment arena
in Rome, Italy. It is located in the heart of the well known modern EUR complex. The arena hosted the 1960 Olympic basketball tournaments
The stadium features 8 meetings points, a restaurant for 300 people and a 2,700 square metre (3,229 sq. yard) outdoor terrace. It has a seating capacity
for 11,200 spectators.
and Marcello Piacentini
in 1956, it was built in two years from 1958-1960 in time for the 1960 Summer Olympics
.
It is widely considered one of the masterpieces of Italian rationalist modern architecture
.
Formerly known as PalaSport and informally as PalaEUR, by the name of the neighbourhood that hosts it, the 'EUR' precisely, it was renamed "PalaLottomatica" with the name of Lottomatica
, the main sponsor that financed the modernization work from 1999 to 2003.
The palace's modern architecture (the dome has a diameter of 95 metres) makes it one of the most important indoor sports arenas in Europe.
After the remodeling, it is able to accommodate up to 11,200 seated spectators. The structure is versatile and hosts sporting events (including internal competitions of, for example, Pallacanestro Virtus Roma
), Concerts, conferences, and theatrical events.
The PalaLottomatica Rome, together with Mediolanum Forum of Milan, has obtained admission to the European Arenas Association
(EAA), which brings together the most important arenas in Europe.
, the 1991
European basketball championships
and the Euroleague
1997 Final Four
.
It is currently the home arena of the Italian professional basketball
team Lottomatica Roma.
In 1997 the PalaLottomatica hosted the Euroleague Final Four and the final stage of the 2005 Men's European Volleyball Championship, oversubscribed in the final between Italy and Russia, Hosting one of its terraces an audience of over 14,000 spectators were disappointed that thanks to a 3-2 comeback victory in Italy, after a thrilling game that lasted over two hours.
The WWE ran a show on November 7, 2008 at the PalaLottomatica.
The PalaEUR was also a venue of the 2010 FIVB Men's World Championship
.
Many artists have performed at the Palazzo dello Sport / PalaLottomatica since late 60's and early 70's: amongst them the Rolling Stones in 1970, the Depeche Mode
several times since 1987, the Cure
, Paul McCartney
, Iron Maiden
, Dire Straits
and many others.
In 1975 a Lou Reed
concert was cancelled because of turmoils between police and groups of people who protested against the high prices of concert tickets; because of those turmoils the Palazzo dello Sport was seriously damaged and foreigner artists refused to perform in Italy for the following 5 years until Bob Marley
performed in Milan in 1980. The Spice Girls
performed a show in march 1998 during their Spiceworld Tour
.This arena will host the concert of Avril Lavigne
with her The Black star Tour on 10 september 2011.
The first artist to perform after the modernization and the renaming as PalaLottomatica was Carlos Santana
in 2003.
Arena
An arena is an enclosed area, often circular or oval-shaped, designed to showcase theater, musical performances, or sporting events. It is composed of a large open space surrounded on most or all sides by tiered seating for spectators. The key feature of an arena is that the event space is the...
in Rome, Italy. It is located in the heart of the well known modern EUR complex. The arena hosted the 1960 Olympic basketball tournaments
Basketball at the 1960 Summer Olympics
Basketball at the 1960 Summer Olympics was the fifth appearance of the sport in Olympic competition. 16 nations were admitted into the Olympic tournament, with many others being eliminated in a pre-Olympic tournament held earlier in the year from 13 to 20 August 1960 at the Sports Palace at Bologna...
The stadium features 8 meetings points, a restaurant for 300 people and a 2,700 square metre (3,229 sq. yard) outdoor terrace. It has a seating capacity
Seating capacity
Seating capacity refers to the number of people who can be seated in a specific space, both in terms of the physical space available, and in terms of limitations set by law. Seating capacity can be used in the description of anything ranging from an automobile that seats two to a stadium that seats...
for 11,200 spectators.
History
The Palazzo dello Sport was designed by Pier Luigi NerviPier Luigi Nervi
Pier Luigi Nervi was an Italian engineer. He studied at the University of Bologna and qualified in 1913. Dr. Nervi taught as a professor of engineering at Rome University from 1946-61...
and Marcello Piacentini
Marcello Piacentini
Marcello Piacentini was an Italian architect and urban theorist.-Biography:Born in Rome, he was the son of architect Pio Piacentini...
in 1956, it was built in two years from 1958-1960 in time for the 1960 Summer Olympics
1960 Summer Olympics
The 1960 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XVII Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event held from August 25 to September 11, 1960 in Rome, Italy...
.
It is widely considered one of the masterpieces of Italian rationalist modern architecture
Modern architecture
Modern architecture is generally characterized by simplification of form and creation of ornament from the structure and theme of the building. It is a term applied to an overarching movement, with its exact definition and scope varying widely...
.
Formerly known as PalaSport and informally as PalaEUR, by the name of the neighbourhood that hosts it, the 'EUR' precisely, it was renamed "PalaLottomatica" with the name of Lottomatica
Lottomatica
Lottomatica S.p.A. is an Italian company active in the gaming business. The world's largest operator of lotteries , Lottomatica also provides various other gaming services and related technologies. The company has its offices in Rome. In August 2006, it completed the acquisition of Gtech, a U.S....
, the main sponsor that financed the modernization work from 1999 to 2003.
The palace's modern architecture (the dome has a diameter of 95 metres) makes it one of the most important indoor sports arenas in Europe.
Modernization
The stadium has been made more functional, especially in terms of acoustics, to also accommodate important musical events. Besides those, were substantive changes - considered questionable by many - to the original aesthetics of the stadium, particularly with regard to night lighting of exterior glazing that now occurs at "tabellone della tombola," with numbers dramatically illuminated behind the glass.After the remodeling, it is able to accommodate up to 11,200 seated spectators. The structure is versatile and hosts sporting events (including internal competitions of, for example, Pallacanestro Virtus Roma
Pallacanestro Virtus Roma
Pallacanestro Virtus Roma, also known for sponsorship reasons as Acea Virtus Roma, is a prominent Italian League professional basketball club, and is also currently one of 13 European clubs that hold ULEB A Licenses, which provide their holders with a guaranteed place in the Euroleague. The club...
), Concerts, conferences, and theatrical events.
The PalaLottomatica Rome, together with Mediolanum Forum of Milan, has obtained admission to the European Arenas Association
European Arenas Association
European Arenas Association is an international association that represents 30 indoor arenas from 20 European countries. These structures must be enclosed, multifunctional, with a capacity of at least 6,000 seats, and managing to maintain high quality standards in all areas.-History and...
(EAA), which brings together the most important arenas in Europe.
Events
The arena hosted the 1960 Olympic basketball tournamentsBasketball at the 1960 Summer Olympics
Basketball at the 1960 Summer Olympics was the fifth appearance of the sport in Olympic competition. 16 nations were admitted into the Olympic tournament, with many others being eliminated in a pre-Olympic tournament held earlier in the year from 13 to 20 August 1960 at the Sports Palace at Bologna...
, the 1991
EuroBasket 1991
Eurobasket 1991 was the tournament contested by men's professional basketball teams from Europe. It was hosted by Italy.-Group A:-Group B:-Places 5 - 8:-Places 1 - 4:-Finals:-Final rankings:# # # # # # # # -Team rosters:...
European basketball championships
Eurobasket
The EuroBasket, also referred to as the FIBA European Basketball Championship, is the main basketball competition contested biennially by the men's national teams governed by FIBA Europe, the European zone within the International Basketball Federation. The championship was first held in 1935 and...
and the Euroleague
Euroleague
Euroleague Basketball, commonly known as the Euroleague, is the highest level tier and most important professional club basketball competition in Europe, with teams from up to 18 different countries, members of FIBA Europe. For sponsorship reasons, for five seasons starting with 2010–2011, it is...
1997 Final Four
Final four
Final Four isa sports term that is commonly applied to the last four teams remaining in a playoff tournament, most notably NCAA Division I college basketball tournaments. The term usually refers to the four teams who compete in the two games of a single-elimination tournament's semi-final round...
.
It is currently the home arena of the Italian professional basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
team Lottomatica Roma.
In 1997 the PalaLottomatica hosted the Euroleague Final Four and the final stage of the 2005 Men's European Volleyball Championship, oversubscribed in the final between Italy and Russia, Hosting one of its terraces an audience of over 14,000 spectators were disappointed that thanks to a 3-2 comeback victory in Italy, after a thrilling game that lasted over two hours.
The WWE ran a show on November 7, 2008 at the PalaLottomatica.
The PalaEUR was also a venue of the 2010 FIVB Men's World Championship
2010 FIVB Men's World Championship
The 2010 FIVB Men's World Championship was held in Italy from September 25 to October 10, 2010. The tournament featured 24 teams to determine the world champion in men's volleyball. In addition to 2006 champion Brazil and host nation Italy, 22 teams qualified for the tournament by means of...
.
Many artists have performed at the Palazzo dello Sport / PalaLottomatica since late 60's and early 70's: amongst them the Rolling Stones in 1970, the Depeche Mode
Depeche Mode
Depeche Mode are an English electronic music band formed in 1980 in Basildon, Essex. The group's original line-up consisted of Dave Gahan , Martin Gore , Andy Fletcher and Vince Clarke...
several times since 1987, the Cure
The Cure
The Cure are an English rock band formed in Crawley, West Sussex in 1976. The band has experienced several line-up changes, with frontman, vocalist, guitarist and principal songwriter Robert Smith being the only constant member...
, Paul McCartney
Paul McCartney
Sir James Paul McCartney, MBE, Hon RAM, FRCM is an English musician, singer-songwriter and composer. Formerly of The Beatles and Wings , McCartney is listed in Guinness World Records as the "most successful musician and composer in popular music history", with 60 gold discs and sales of 100...
, Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden are an English heavy metal band from Leyton in east London, formed in 1975 by bassist and primary songwriter Steve Harris. Since their inception, the band's discography has grown to include a total of thirty-six albums: fifteen studio albums; eleven live albums; four EPs; and six...
, Dire Straits
Dire Straits
Dire Straits were a British rock band active from 1977 to 1995, composed of Mark Knopfler , his younger brother David Knopfler , John Illsley , and Pick Withers .Dire Straits' sound drew from a variety of musical influences, including jazz, folk, blues, and came closest...
and many others.
In 1975 a Lou Reed
Lou Reed
Lewis Allan "Lou" Reed is an American rock musician, songwriter, and photographer. He is best known as guitarist, vocalist, and principal songwriter of The Velvet Underground, and for his successful solo career, which has spanned several decades...
concert was cancelled because of turmoils between police and groups of people who protested against the high prices of concert tickets; because of those turmoils the Palazzo dello Sport was seriously damaged and foreigner artists refused to perform in Italy for the following 5 years until Bob Marley
Bob Marley
Robert Nesta "Bob" Marley, OM was a Jamaican singer-songwriter and musician. He was the rhythm guitarist and lead singer for the ska, rocksteady and reggae band Bob Marley & The Wailers...
performed in Milan in 1980. The Spice Girls
Spice Girls
The Spice Girls were a British pop girl group formed in 1994. The group consisted of Victoria Beckham , Melanie Brown, Emma Bunton, Melanie Chisholm and Geri Halliwell. They were signed to Virgin Records and released their debut single, "Wannabe" in 1996, which hit number-one in more than 30...
performed a show in march 1998 during their Spiceworld Tour
Spiceworld Tour
The Spiceworld Tour was a concert tour performed by the British Europop group the Spice Girls in support of their second album Spiceworld which was the soundtrack to their feature film Spiceworld: The Movie. The sell-out European/North American tour ran from February to August 1998, after which it...
.This arena will host the concert of Avril Lavigne
Avril Lavigne
Avril Ramona Lavigne is a Canadian singer-songwriter. She was born in Belleville, Ontario, but spent most of her youth in the small town of Napanee. By the age of 15, she had appeared on stage with Shania Twain; by 16, she had signed a two-album recording contract with Arista Records worth more...
with her The Black star Tour on 10 september 2011.
The first artist to perform after the modernization and the renaming as PalaLottomatica was Carlos Santana
Carlos Santana
Carlos Augusto Alves Santana is a Mexican rock guitarist. Santana became famous in the late 1960s and early 1970s with his band, Santana, which pioneered rock, salsa and jazz fusion...
in 2003.
External links
- Romeguide.it - PalaLottomatica, Italian website