WiZink Center (Sports Palace)

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.