The IJF headquarters is located in the heart of Budapest, a city which has played host to many big international competitions, including the European and World Championships. It is not an exaggeration if we say that judo is big here; judo is at home in Budapest.
The László Papp Budapest Sports Arena has hosted a wide range of different elite sports events, including ice hockey, indoor athletics, handball and of course judo. It is a huge arena located in the centre of Budapest and is known as the biggest sports arena in Hungary. The arena can hold 12,500 spectators, but in this pandemic period only a tiny percentage of that will be able to attend the judo show.
Everything at the venue was thought out, down to the smallest detail, for a result worthy of global review. The sports complex is furnished with state-of-the-art technical equipment, needed for an excellent overview and clear sound. The organisation is smooth, everything implemented at the highest level, for judo fans hungry for the spectacle. Huge screens, bright banners and powerful spotlights will focus our attention on the art of judo, while the loudspeakers will be singing anthems at the end of each day.
The arena was rebuilt after a serious fire in 2001. The fire was a tragedy for the people because it was the only building capable of holding large scale sports or cultural events. The unique, current building was designed by Hungarian and Anglo-American architects.
The pedestrian area of the complex is incredibly big, at 25,000 m2, which is the largest continuous granite surface in Hungary. The weight of it is also unbelievable; the complex is as heavy as the Erzsébet Bridge and Szabadság Bridge together and it gains extra kilos when accommodating a capacity crowd!
The enormous size of the arena is fitting, ready to contain the spirit of judo for the coming week. This place is ready for a beautiful show and it waits to embrace new champions, pure emotion and brilliant performances. Judoka will make a mark in the judo history books and will create the future of their own sporting careers. Here, dreams come true!