Česky
The figure skating championship at the O2 arena thrilled fans and the sports elite.
The O2 arena transformed into the center of world figure skating for several days. The 2026 ISU World Championships attracted tens of thousands of fans from all over the world to Prague and confirmed that the Czech capital is one of the top destinations for hosting major sporting events.
A total of 127,837 visitors arrived at the O2 arena during the championship, and together they created an atmosphere that, according to reviews, ranks among the best that the World Figure Skating Championships have ever experienced. A packed hall, enthusiastic fans and respectful silence during the rides and thunderous ovations after their completion – this combination was admired across the sports world.
“The world aces have never experienced such a backdrop anywhere else,” was the response from foreign critics. According to them, Prague offered something extra – not only perfect organization, but also authentic sporting energy that cannot be planned.
Unique facilities that make sense
A big theme of the championship was also the facilities of the entire area. It was here that the strength of the connection between the O2 arena, O2 universum and STAGES Hotel Prague was fully demonstrated.
While the O2 arena hosted the competitions themselves, the O2 universum provided training areas and the STAGES Hotel Prague provided facilities for the competitors. The result was a compact and highly efficient ecosystem that significantly facilitated the entire course of the championship for the athletes. It was this synergy that garnered one of the greatest praises – from the athletes, the implementation teams and the international federation.
An atmosphere that is not forgotten
The fans played a major role. They showed in Prague what a modern sports audience should look like – loud, but at the same time respectful. They managed to create absolute concentration during the races, and then a literally stormy backdrop after they ended.
The fans’ attitude at the O2 arena will be talked about for a long time. According to many reviews, it was the atmosphere that took the entire championship to an exceptional level.
An event that confirmed the world level
“We are extremely proud that the O2 arena was able to host such a significant sporting event. It turned out that the combination of top-notch facilities, an experienced team and connections with the O2 universe and STAGES Hotel Prague creates conditions that are exceptional on a European and global scale. A big thank you also goes to the fans – they created an atmosphere that athletes and organizers will remember for a long time,” says Robert Schaffer, CEO of the O2 arena.
The ISU World Figure Skating Championships 2026 thus left a strong mark in Prague – not only in terms of sport, but also in terms of organization and experience.
Photo: Petr Klapper
