Year of commissioning: 1976 . Address: 93A, Illicha Ave., Donetsk city Capacity: 4100 spectators Telephone: +38 (062) 336 75 42 Ground size: 60×30 meters
Druzhba Arena was built in 1975 and commissioned the following year. Since 2003 there have been additional small reconstructions. In 2010, before the World Junior Championship (2011IIHF WU18 IIB), the Druzhba Arena underwent additional upgrades, including the replasement of refrigerating equipment, a modern electronic display (cube), instalation of new plastic boards and an air conditioning system, four additional changing rooms, referee and medical rooms, as well as several offices for the Hockey Federation of Ukraine and International Hockey Federation (IIHF).
Between the 27th of March and the 2nd of April 2011, the Druzhba Arena hosted the World Junior Championships (2011IIHF WU18 IIB), after the results of which the Ukrainian national team returned to its place in the first division of world hockey.
On the 8th of April 2011 on the Druzhba Arena ice rink there was conducted an historical battle, wherein the Donetsk Hockey Club “Donbass” twice overcame the 12-time champions of the country – Kyiv “Sokol”, and became the champions of Ukraine.
After this victory Druzhba Arena has become the home ground for the Donbass Hockey Club.
In the summer of 2011 the Donbass Hockey Club conducted one more stage of the Druzhba Arena reconstruction. Stands capacity was increased from 3,500 to 4,100 seats.
All of the seating in the Arena was replaced by new, more comfortable seating for the spectators. New cameras were added in the foyer and inside of the Arena and metal detectors were installed at the entrance. The Press-conference hall was renovated. A Fast-food network was installed. The Foyer was branded in the club colors, with the predominant color becoming red with white and black inserts. New, more modern ticket offices and fan shops were opened.
Following the last reconstruction, the Druzhba Arena now fully complies with the requirements of the International Hockey Federation (IIHF) and Vysshaya Hockey League (VHL) rules. In the season 2011/2012 the Donbass Hockey Club makes its debut in the Vysshaya Hockey League - All - Russian Hockey Competition.
Between the 1st and the 3rd of September, the Druzhba Arena hosted the "DONBASS OPEN CUP" international tournament, with participation of three clubs from the Continental Hockey League - “Dinamo” (Minsk), “Dinamo” (Riga), CSKA (Saint-Petersburg) and Donetsk “Donbass”. The tournament, the winners of which was CSKA from Saint-Petersburg, received a high rating from participants, guests and spectators.
