The Pick Arena is one of the largest sports and event developments in Szeged, a modern multifunctional hall delivered under the general contracting of WEST HUNGÁRIA BAU Ltd. The facility is one of the most advanced handball and multifunctional sports arenas in the country, serving professional sports, international matches, cultural events, and community gatherings alike.
The project’s technical complexity and high quality are also reflected in the fact that the construction won the Construction Excellence Award in 2022.
Key Data
Function: Multifunctional sports and event arena
Location: Szeged
Total floor area: approximately 28,390 m²
Construction period: 2019–2021
Client: State-funded investment
Award: Construction Excellence Award 2022
WHB Main Construction Scope
- Long-span steel and reinforced concrete structures
The arena space delivered by WHB features column-free spectator and playing areas with spans exceeding 40–50 meters, constructed using a custom-designed high-rigidity steel roof structure, supported by high-load capacity reinforced concrete foundations, slabs, and grandstand structures.
One of the key challenges of the structural works was that the entire system of spectator seating, lighting, and sports technology is suspended from the roof structure, requiring millimetre-precision steel fabrication and installation.
- Sports technology and playing field systems
WHB delivered a playing field compliant with IIHF and EHF standards, along with sports-specific flooring and substructure systems, mobile and fixed grandstand systems, lighting and camera installation points, and broadcasting platforms optimized for television coverage.
The high-performance sports flooring was designed as a multi-layered flexible system with vibration damping, making it suitable for international competitions and high-intensity sporting events.
- Mechanical and electrical systems designed for extreme loads
The arena’s mechanical and electrical systems were engineered for outstanding performance.
Mechanical systems include high-capacity air handling units with heat recovery serving large-volume spaces, fresh air supply designed for high spectator capacity, complex heating and cooling zones optimized for sports use, and separate systems for changing rooms, rehabilitation, and coaching facilities.
Electrical systems include high-intensity, broadcast-compatible LED sports lighting, hundreds of display, camera, and network connection points, high-capacity power supply with redundant backup systems, and a fully digital building management system.
- Interior design and spectator infrastructure
WHB created modern, high-comfort spaces including a multi-thousand-seat grandstand system, VIP and skybox levels, athlete changing rooms, massage and medical facilities, coaching rooms, media and press areas, interview zones, high-traffic circulation spaces, guest areas, catering units, and sanitary facilities.
Special emphasis was placed on acoustic finishes to control reverberation and noise levels within the arena.
- External areas and associated infrastructure
WHB delivered parking areas, traffic routes, event logistics gates and loading zones, landscaped green areas and pedestrian pathways, as well as a comprehensive stormwater drainage system.
A multi-directional logistics system supports high-capacity event operations around the arena.
Special Construction Solutions
- Installation of long-span structures
The assembly and installation of the roof structure required specialized crane technology, with precise positioning of large and heavy prefabricated elements at height. - Integration of sports technology into the roof structure
Lighting, sound systems, camera infrastructure, and cable trays were integrated into the roof structure, requiring exceptionally high levels of coordination. - Acoustic optimization
Given the nature of a sports arena, controlling reverberation was a key challenge, addressed through carefully engineered surface finishes and ceiling elements based on acoustic calculations. - High-capacity event operation
The arena was designed to host sports events, concerts, conferences, and community events seamlessly, requiring a highly flexible approach to mechanical systems, acoustics, and interior layout.
Project Significance
The Pick Arena is an iconic facility for Szeged and Hungarian handball, representing a high international standard in both technology and structural design. It is a major venue for sports and events and stands as one of WHB’s largest sports-related construction projects.
The development demonstrates WHB’s advanced construction expertise, large-scale coordination capabilities, and extensive experience in delivering complex sports facilities.
