WiZink Center (Sports Palace)

The WiZink Center, or Sports Palace of the Community of Madrid, It is a benchmark in terms of entertainment, both at a sporting and cultural level. It comprises a singular building, with a central location, which was inaugurated in 1960, managed and renovated by the Community of Madrid from 1985 and, as a result of a fire in 2001 modernized and reopened in 2005. can house up to 17.453 spectators, with a retractable, telescopic and movable grandstand with 2.700 seats on the first level, which makes it possible to adapt it to different configurations, both on the track and on the stage.
Throughout its 60 years of history, this space has become a point of sports and cultural reference. Numerous sporting events have been held (basketball, athletics, gymnastics, boxing, cycling, handball,...) as well as spectacular artistic and musical events with large audiences.
It has also hosted major basketball sporting events relevant, such as Final Four, different endings of the Copa del Rey for the years 2006, 2009 and 2011 and EuroBasket 2007. Also disputed was international handball match Spain-France as well as various motorcycling shows.
Among many other high-level sporting events are the Badminton World Championships (2006) or European Indoor Athletics Championships (2005)In addition to meetings of indoor soccer. Likewise, it was the scene of great musical events, which gives it the character of a multicultural space with great national and international repercussions.
At present, all the events take place in this space. basketball games played by clubs Real Madrid y Students in their different competitions.

Major sporting events, concerts, shows...
History, old and new building, events and shows
The history of this emblematic
space, which was called Sports Palacedates back to 1952 when the then deputy mayor of Madrid, José María Gutiérrez del Castillo, promoted its creation in the image and likeness of those existing in other European capitals. The place chosen for its location was the site occupied by the old Goya bullring, located on the Aragón road. In January 1953 the competition for the construction was announced and in January 1956 the National Sports Delegation chose the preliminary project presented by the architects José Soteras and Lorenzo García Barbón, authors of the Barcelona Sports Palace. The project consisted of the realization of a circular building 115 meters in diameter, built in reinforced concrete and with a metal roof. The work cost 56 million pesetas.
The delivery was made on January 8, 1960, opening with a great cultural and multi-sport show on February 25 in which, among other athletes, the cyclists Guillermo Timoner and Federico Martín Bahamontes participated. Initially, it was conceived as a space for sports activities (velodrome, equestrian track, basketball, indoor hockey, tennis or boxing, among others). In its numerous interior rooms, classes and training in these sports were given to children, young people and adults, for which it soon became a benchmark in sports practice.
From 1985, the Higher Sports Council ceded ownership, which was transferred to the Community of Madrid, becoming known as "Community Sports Palace". A comprehensive reform of the building was undertaken, undertaking works on the roof, floor, sports flooring, seats, public address system, press room, gym, infirmary, etc..., for adaptation to other events and shows (musical, family, circus, social,...). More than 500 million pesetas were invested in this reform, which allowed the citizens of Madrid to enjoy the best sporting, musical and family events on the national and international scene.
Since then, this space has been an important national reference framework. Major basketball, handball, athletics, gymnastics, boxing and cycling events have been held, among others, which are the most popular throughout its history. It has also been conditioned for cultural, social musical and even religious or political shows that are fundamental in the history of Spain.
The 28 of June of 2001, while working on restoration works on the roof, there was an accidental fire that completely destroyed it, leaving only the concrete façade standing. A new, more modern, versatile, polyvalent and flexible space was immediately created, which would set trends in genres and tastes for a future Olympic bid for the city of Madrid.
The new building, designed by the
architect Enrique Hermoso, occupies the same floor space as the previous one, although with a remarkably refurbished interior layout, enlarged and fully adapted to the new safety and use regulations for multifunctional buildings, with the addition of three large underground parking floors. The objective was the construction of a multipurpose, modern and avant-garde facility, whose inauguration took place on February 16, 2005 presided over by the then Princes of Asturias, Don Felipe and Doña Letizia, accompanied by the Mayor of Madrid, Alberto Ruíz Gallardón, and the President of the Community, Esperanza Aguirre.
The building maintains the original structure that makes up the facades of the Plaza de Salvador Dalí and Avenida de Felipe II, as well as the back of Fuente del Berro street. However, the roof has been completely renovated to provide it with improved acoustics through the use of mobile panels.
The project, which was directed by the architects Paloma Huidobro and Enrique Hermoso, enables the adaptation of the capacity according to the needs with the maximum guarantees of safety and comfort, being completely accessible for the realization of any type of event. The modern technology implemented, as well as the existence of rooms of different sizes, makes it possible to carry out several acts simultaneously. The multiple configuration of its retractable stands allow the capacity to be adapted to the needs of each show in a short space of time.
This new multipurpose space in the Community of Madrid is a building with futuristic architecture, with a changing rotational design, both at the track level and in the spaces for the public and the media. The main room has longitudinal and transversal dimensions of 125 x 100 meters, respectively, and the central space is occupied by a track for the development of the events of 92 x 50 meters, surrounded by telescopic stands, on the first level, and fixed on the rest. This mobility allows the space dedicated to events to be increased or decreased depending on their needs, which modifies the capacity of the capacity.
It is equipped with adjoining multipurpose training and warm-up rooms, changing rooms, dressing rooms or a medical area. The rooms for the media include stands with 204 seats, with locations for both cameras and radio, rest room, conference room and mixed areas. It also has restaurant spaces, with 27 locations for bars and points of sale.
With Regarding the capacity, it can hold up to 17.453 spectators, with a retractable grandstand. In addition, it has 36 privileged boxes, with capacity for 450 people. It has an underground car park to facilitate access to events with capacity for 867 vehicles and complementary facilities that improve its functionality. The special accessibility and evacuation conditions stand out, which improve safety, offering a building without architectural barriers.
In short, a complete multipurpose space designed to satisfy the most demanding needs for setting up events and shows, while offering security and comfort to the attending public. Sporting events have an ideal framework for their development in the best possible way. At the same time, cultural, artistic and social events will be able to count on optimal conditions and flexible capacity according to needs.
Due to its location, being located in the heart of the city, and its excellent communication supported by a complete Public Transport Network, it is easily accessible by train, plane or bus, both for the population of Madrid and for those who access from the rest of the city. from the nation or from abroad.
Undoubtedly, this space acquires a real and symbolic value as it is a benchmark in terms of sports facilities in the city of Madrid, which demonstrates the effort and driving force of the Community to offer citizens the best spaces for carrying out large sporting and cultural events.
Due to its particular conditions, this venue has hosted a large number of events, both sporting, musical and entertainment. This has made it possible to hold different World and European Championships in a wide range of sports disciplines, in addition to the final phases of different national competitions. More varied and abundant has been the musical or cultural offer, as well as entertainment, where the best artists of the moment have gathered so that the Madrid and Spanish public could contemplate them.
BIG SPORTS EVENTS |
|
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS | |
- Roller hockey, in 1960. | |
- Figure skating, in 1965. | |
- Boxing, super lightweight, in 1971. | |
- Karate, in 1980. | |
- Basketball, in 1986. | |
- Badminton, in 2006. | |
- Trial Indoor, continuously since 2006 |
EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS |
- Judo, in 1965. |
- Gymnastics, in 1971. |
- Greco-Roman Wrestling, in 1974. |
- Handball, in 1985. |
- Indoor athletics, 1986 and 2005. |
- Basketball, in 2007. |
- Euroleague Basketball Final, in 2008. |
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS |
- Spanish Show Jumping Championship, in 1964. |
- Generalissimo Basketball Cup, in 1960. |
- Spanish Athletics Championship, in 1982. |
- Madrid Taekwondo Championship, in 1984 and 2005. |
- Basketball King's Cup, in 2006, 2009 and 2011. |
MOST RELEVANT MUSICAL AND CULTURAL EVENTS |
1961: I World Jazz Festival. |
1974: Krasnoyarsk Ballet. |
1978: Russian Army Choirs (repeated in 1981 and 1989). |
1979: Bee Gees (repeated in 1991). |
1981: German Opera Ballet in Berlin (repeated in 1998). |
1982: Miguel Ríos and Joaquín Sabina. |
1982: Victor Manuel and Ana Belen. |
1982: Miguel Bose. |
1985: Sting. |
1986: Super tramp. |
1986: Elton John. |
1989: Paul McCartney. |
1989: Rocío Jurado. |
1990: PhilCollins. |
1990: Luciano Pavarotti. |
1991: Gloria Stefan. |
1991: The Union. |
1992: The Cure. |
1992: Nirvana. |
1993: Heroes of Silence. |
1994: Aerosmith (June 9). |
1995: Page & Plant (July 5). |
1996: Heroes of Silence. |
1996: Extremoduro and Platero and you. |
1997: Backstreet Boys. |
1997: Laura Pausini. |
1997: KISS (June 25). |
1997: Aerosmith (June 15). |
1998: Spice Girls (March 16). |
1998: Van Gogh's Ear. |
1999: Mussorgsky Ballet of St. Petersburg. |
2000: Enrique Iglesias. |
2000: AC/DC (December 10,11, 12 and XNUMX). |
2001: Eric Clapton. |
2001: Manolo Garcia. |
2003: Shakira, (April 25). |
2004: Anastacia. |
2005: Queen and Paul Rodgers (April 1). |
2005: Oasis. |
2005: Andrés Calamaro (November 18). |
2006: Alejandro Fernández (March 4). |
2006: The Who. |
2006: Red Hot Chilli Peppers. |
2006: Pearl Jam (September 7). |
2006: Van Gogh's Ear. |
2007: Nacha Pop (October 26). |
2006: Muse (October 27). |
2007: RBD (January 6). |
2007: Beyonce. |
2007: Dream Theater (November 3). |
2007: Marilyn Manson (November 20). |
2007: Bruce Springsteen (November 25). |
2007: 50 Cent (December 16). |
2007: The Who. |
2008: The Cure (March 6). |
2008: Tide (March 8). |
2008: Alicia Keys (March 17). |
2008: G Men (April 18). |
2008: Backstreet Boys (April 23). |
2008: Kylie Minogue (June 3). |
2008: Festival U18 (July 10). |
2008: RBD (August 21). |
2008: Coldplay (September 7). |
2008: Juan Luis Guerra (September 11). |
2008: Monica Naranjo (September 19). |
2008: Tow (October 9). |
2008: Enrique Bunbury (October 23). |
2008: Queen and Paul Rodgers (October 25). |
2008: Amaral (October 30). |
2008: Sensation White 2008 (November 22). |
2008: Tide. |
2008: Extreme hard. |
2008: The Top 40 Awards. |
2008: RBD (December 21). |
2009: Oasis(February 12). |
2009: The Killers (March 22). |
2009: AC/DC (April 2). |
2009: Franz Ferdinand and Mando Diao (April 3). |
2009: Il Divo (April 4). |
2009: Beyonce. |
2009: Jonas Brothers (June 13). |
2009: Festival U18 (June 26). |
2009: Malu (July 2). |
2009: Slipknot and Machine Head (July 10). |
2009: Metallica (July 13 and 14). |
2009: The Eagles (July 21). |
2009: Green Day (September 29). |
2009: Rammstein (November 10). |
2009: Jonas Brothers (November 11). |
2009: Depeche Mode (November 17). |
2009: Muse (November 28). |
2009: Marilyn Manson (December 3). |
2009: The Prodigy (December 4). |
2009: Fito and Fitipaldis-The Mechanical Goat (December 27-29). |
2010: Eros Ramazzotti (February 13). |
2010: Star Wars In Concert (March 20). |
2010: Tokio Hotel (April 6). |
2010: El Barrio (February 5-6 and 7). |
2010: Long live Antonio!, tribute to Antonio Vega (April 9) |
2010: KISS (June 22). |
2010: Supertramp (September 15). |
2010: Miguel Bosé (September 16). |
2010: Damn Nerea (October 21). |
2010: Miguel Ríos (November 6 and 7). |
2010: Arcade Fire (November 20). |
2010: Shakira, (November 19). |
2010: Lady Gaga (December 12). |
2010: Sloth (December 18). |
2010: Fito and the Fitipaldis (December 30). |
2011: Taylor Swift (March 19). |
2011: Roger Waters (March 25 and 26). |
2011: Justin Bieber (April 5). |
2011: The night of the Chain 100 (April 2). |
2011: Malu (April 14). |
2011: Fangoria (May 13). |
2011: Ricky Martin (June 28). |
2011: Damn Nerea (June 22). |
2011: Raphael (June 16). |
2011: Melendi (June 2). |
2011: Foo Fighters (July 6). |
2011: Juanes (July 20). |
2011: Manna (September 15). |
2011: George Michael (September 25). |
2011: Sergio Dalma (October 14). |
2011: The best of here and there (October 28). |
2011: 40 Principales Awards (December 9). |
2011: Rihanna (December 15. |
2011: Red Hot Chilli Peppers (December 17). |
2011: Pablo Alborán (December 20). |
2011: El Clan Festival (December 23). |
2011: FNAC Festival (December 27). |
2011: Tide (December 30). |
2012: El Barrio (January 13 and 14). |
2012: Arctic Monkeys (January 27). |
2012: Stow (February 11). |
2012: Disney on ice (March 5 to 12). |
2012: Laura Pausini (April 20). |
2012: Il Divo (April 27). |
2012: Isabel Pantoja (May 2). |
2012: Enrique Iglesias (May 4). |
2012: Luis Miguel (May 11 and 12). |
2012: Tapas Fair (June 21 to 24). |
2012: Blink 182 (July 20). |
2012: Sabina & Serrat (September 19 and 20). |
2012: Miguel Bose (October 4). |
2012: Leonard Cohen (October 5). |
2012: Jennifer Lopez (October 7). |
2012: Muse (October 20). |
2012: Coca Cola Experience (November 9). |
2012: The Black Kyes (November 28). |
2012: The Neighborhood (December 15). |
2012: Raphael concert (December 22). |
2012: Cirque du Soleil-M. Immortal Jackson (December 26-30) |
2013: David Bisbal (February 9) |
2013: Disney On Ice (March 7-10) |
2013: Justin Bieber (March 14) |
2013: Rammstein (April 21) |
2013: Melendi (May 15) |
2013: Alejandro Sanz (June 26-27) |
2013: Pablo Alborán (September 26-27) |
2013: Malu (November 8) |
2013: Arctic Monkeys (November 15) |
2013: Joy Cirque du Soleil (December 18-22) |
2014: Depeche Mode (January 17-18) |
2014: Disney On Ice "Dream Again" (March 6-9) |
2014: The night of the Nº1 (March 22) |
2014: Malu (May 16-17) |
2014: Dani Martin (May 22-23) |
2014: David Bisbal (July 3) |
2014: Top 40 Awards (December 12) |
2014: Joaquín Sabina (December 13-16) |
2014: Fito and Fitipaldis (December 27-28) |
2015: The Neighborhood (January 16-17) |
2015: Concert for a world without ALS (January 31) |
2015: Disney On Ice "Years of Magic" (March 4-8) |
2015: The night of the Nº1 (March 21) |
2015: Melendi (May 8) |
2015: Vetusta Morla (May 23) |
2015: Maroom Five (June 15) |
2015: Kiss (June 30) |
2015: Bob Dylan (July 6) |
2015: Juan Luis Guerra (July 17) |
2015: Manna (September 4-5) |
2015: Alejandro Sanz (September 8-11) |
2015: Madrid Live Imagine Dragons (October 30) |
2015: Raphael (December 16) |
2015: Rosendo (December 22) |
2015: Stow (December 29) |
2015: |
+34 914 44 99 49
Avenida Felipe II, s/n
Madrid
How to get
Bus: 2, 15, 21, 26, 29, 30, 43, 53, 56, 61, 63, C1, C2, 71, 143, 146, 152
Metro: Goya (L2, L4), O'Donnell (L6), Príncipe de Vergara (L2, L9)