photo: © International Ice Hockey Federation
It's just around the corner. From 10th to 26th May, Prague and Ostrava will be the center of attention for ice hockey fans from all over the world. For Ostrava residents and visitors can expect traffic restrictions and extra tram lines, especially around the arena.
With 16 days to go until the first game, the organizers are entering the final phase of preparations. "We have one of the most challenging tasks ahead of us - the construction of temporary structures and facilities in and around the Ostrava Arena. This includes the construction of media facilities and the Official Fan Zone that will be built on the two car parks in front of the arena. It will not be possible to park in these areas, so park and ride parks will be provided for visitors, both for cars and buses," said Irena Šašková, deputy general secretary of the Ostrava 2024 IIHF WM OC. "We would therefore like to warn fans that parking in the immediate vicinity of the arena will be limited. We are aware that the citizens of Ostrava may experience some traffic problems during the Ice Hockey World Championship, but I believe that with a dose of human kindness and patience, everyone will be able to get where they need to go," added Irena Šašková.
The Police of the Czech Republic, in cooperation with the organizers, will ensure that order is maintained during the 2024 IIHF WM. "Security is a priority for us in this case as well. Police officers from various services and units of our Regional Directorate will be involved in the measures, and we will cooperate with the national departments. We will focus on public order, property crime, and the traffic situation, where we expect traffic to be very intense at certain times and in certain places on game days," said the head of the Regional Police Directorate of the Moravian-Silesian Region, Brigadier General Tomáš Kužel.
The Moravian-Silesian Fire Service is ready for the onslaught of thousands of fans. "Thanks to thorough preparations, continuous training of IZS units, and also the experience from the previous 2015 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championships held in Ostrava, we are ready for a wide range of scenarios," described the director of the Moravian-Silesian Fire Brigade, General Radim Kuchař. "Our teams are ready to provide emergency pre-hospital care to the spectators and participants of the Ice Hockey World Championship to ensure the smooth running of it."
Leave your car in the P+R car park and use public transport instead
"We would like to ask all hockey fans to use public transport (which will run at shorter intervals on game days) as much as possible and not to try to drive to the arena, where queues can be expected," said Vlastimil Bijota, head of the transport department of the Ostrava Organizing Committee: "In addition, parking in the immediate vicinity of the Ostrava Arena will only be available on Závodní Street, directly opposite the ice hockey arena. The other car parks will be Lipový dvůr on Ruská Street and, above all, the car park in Dolní Vítkovice, where buses will be routed".
Discounted ticket for fans
In collaboration with the Ostrava Transport Company, the organizers have prepared a 7-day hockey ticket for CZK 250. "We aim to provide fans with maximum comfort during their stay in Ostrava. The discounted ticket can be easily purchased through the local public transportation app (MojeDPO). We believe this will make traveling around the Moravian-Silesian city more pleasant and, above all, easier," said Daniel Morys, director of the Ostrava Transport Company.
What is the best way to get to the arena? Ideally by tram
The Sport Arena stop (on Závodní Street) can be reached by trams 3, 11, 19, and trams 2 and 7, which stop on Ruská Street. Alternatively, you can take the tram number 12 to the nearby Palkovského stop.
On hockey game days, the intervals will be increased, and only high-capacity trams will operate on lines 2, 7, 11, and 12. Simultaneously, a new tram line "X" will run on the route Nádraží Vítkovice - Plynárny and back.
After the evening games, the DPO Dispatching Centre will organize coordinated transportation for spectators. "Passengers will board the trams at the Sport Arena stop on Závodní Street, and the trams will continue in the directions of Dubina, Výškovice, centrum, and Poruba. The number of connections will depend on the number of fans attending a particular evening game," added Vlastimil Bijota, head of the transport department for the Ostrava part of the Championship.
Buses 31, 45, and 61 will transport spectators to the Městský Stadion stop, from where they can take the tram or walk to the nearby Ostrava Arena.
Fans can also travel to the 2024 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship by train to the nearest Ostrava-Vítkovice train station, which is connected to the aforementioned tram line "X". Additionally, fans can arrive in Ostrava by train at the Ostrava-Svinov station (from Prague, Pardubice, Olomouc) or at the Ostrava Main Railway Station (from Bohumín, Havířov). From these stations, fans can transfer to tram lines. From the Ostrava Main Railway Station, take tram line No. 2, and from the Ostrava-Svinov Railway Station, take trams No. 3, 7, 11, 17 or 19.
The transport company is also prepared for the arrival of mainly Latvian fans at the Leoš Janáček Ostrava Airport. "Following the connection from Riga, we are strengthening the Airport Express bus line," said Daniel Morys, director of the Ostrava Transport Company.
Entering the Arena and Official Fan Zone without Unnecessary Items
Spectators can enter the arena one hour before the opening face-off and the Official Fan Zone will be open from 2PM until the end of the evening game. It will open at 11AM on days where there are three games.
There will be a security check before entering the Ostrava Arena and the Official Fan Zone. "To ensure a smooth process, we recommend that you leave any unnecessary items at home or in the deposite located around the arena. The list of prohibited items can be found on your tickets," said Miloš Benda, head of the security department. The deposite will be situated outside the entrances to the arena and the Official Fan Zone.
Visitors can find summary information on the official website 2024.iihfworlds.com under "Fan Information"
Specific connections are listed on each provider's website:
Connections within the city of Ostrava: https://www.dpo.cz
Connections within the Moravian-Silesian Region - the ODIS integrated transport system:
www.odis.cz/hockey
Train connections: https:// www.cd.cz
Finding a connection in general: https://idos.idnes.cz
Park and Ride Car Parks:
With 16 days to go until the first game, the organizers are entering the final phase of preparations. "We have one of the most challenging tasks ahead of us - the construction of temporary structures and facilities in and around the Ostrava Arena. This includes the construction of media facilities and the Official Fan Zone that will be built on the two car parks in front of the arena. It will not be possible to park in these areas, so park and ride parks will be provided for visitors, both for cars and buses," said Irena Šašková, deputy general secretary of the Ostrava 2024 IIHF WM OC. "We would therefore like to warn fans that parking in the immediate vicinity of the arena will be limited. We are aware that the citizens of Ostrava may experience some traffic problems during the Ice Hockey World Championship, but I believe that with a dose of human kindness and patience, everyone will be able to get where they need to go," added Irena Šašková.
The Police of the Czech Republic, in cooperation with the organizers, will ensure that order is maintained during the 2024 IIHF WM. "Security is a priority for us in this case as well. Police officers from various services and units of our Regional Directorate will be involved in the measures, and we will cooperate with the national departments. We will focus on public order, property crime, and the traffic situation, where we expect traffic to be very intense at certain times and in certain places on game days," said the head of the Regional Police Directorate of the Moravian-Silesian Region, Brigadier General Tomáš Kužel.
The Moravian-Silesian Fire Service is ready for the onslaught of thousands of fans. "Thanks to thorough preparations, continuous training of IZS units, and also the experience from the previous 2015 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championships held in Ostrava, we are ready for a wide range of scenarios," described the director of the Moravian-Silesian Fire Brigade, General Radim Kuchař. "Our teams are ready to provide emergency pre-hospital care to the spectators and participants of the Ice Hockey World Championship to ensure the smooth running of it."
Leave your car in the P+R car park and use public transport instead
"We would like to ask all hockey fans to use public transport (which will run at shorter intervals on game days) as much as possible and not to try to drive to the arena, where queues can be expected," said Vlastimil Bijota, head of the transport department of the Ostrava Organizing Committee: "In addition, parking in the immediate vicinity of the Ostrava Arena will only be available on Závodní Street, directly opposite the ice hockey arena. The other car parks will be Lipový dvůr on Ruská Street and, above all, the car park in Dolní Vítkovice, where buses will be routed".
Discounted ticket for fans
In collaboration with the Ostrava Transport Company, the organizers have prepared a 7-day hockey ticket for CZK 250. "We aim to provide fans with maximum comfort during their stay in Ostrava. The discounted ticket can be easily purchased through the local public transportation app (MojeDPO). We believe this will make traveling around the Moravian-Silesian city more pleasant and, above all, easier," said Daniel Morys, director of the Ostrava Transport Company.
What is the best way to get to the arena? Ideally by tram
The Sport Arena stop (on Závodní Street) can be reached by trams 3, 11, 19, and trams 2 and 7, which stop on Ruská Street. Alternatively, you can take the tram number 12 to the nearby Palkovského stop.
On hockey game days, the intervals will be increased, and only high-capacity trams will operate on lines 2, 7, 11, and 12. Simultaneously, a new tram line "X" will run on the route Nádraží Vítkovice - Plynárny and back.
After the evening games, the DPO Dispatching Centre will organize coordinated transportation for spectators. "Passengers will board the trams at the Sport Arena stop on Závodní Street, and the trams will continue in the directions of Dubina, Výškovice, centrum, and Poruba. The number of connections will depend on the number of fans attending a particular evening game," added Vlastimil Bijota, head of the transport department for the Ostrava part of the Championship.
Buses 31, 45, and 61 will transport spectators to the Městský Stadion stop, from where they can take the tram or walk to the nearby Ostrava Arena.
Fans can also travel to the 2024 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship by train to the nearest Ostrava-Vítkovice train station, which is connected to the aforementioned tram line "X". Additionally, fans can arrive in Ostrava by train at the Ostrava-Svinov station (from Prague, Pardubice, Olomouc) or at the Ostrava Main Railway Station (from Bohumín, Havířov). From these stations, fans can transfer to tram lines. From the Ostrava Main Railway Station, take tram line No. 2, and from the Ostrava-Svinov Railway Station, take trams No. 3, 7, 11, 17 or 19.
The transport company is also prepared for the arrival of mainly Latvian fans at the Leoš Janáček Ostrava Airport. "Following the connection from Riga, we are strengthening the Airport Express bus line," said Daniel Morys, director of the Ostrava Transport Company.
Entering the Arena and Official Fan Zone without Unnecessary Items
Spectators can enter the arena one hour before the opening face-off and the Official Fan Zone will be open from 2PM until the end of the evening game. It will open at 11AM on days where there are three games.
There will be a security check before entering the Ostrava Arena and the Official Fan Zone. "To ensure a smooth process, we recommend that you leave any unnecessary items at home or in the deposite located around the arena. The list of prohibited items can be found on your tickets," said Miloš Benda, head of the security department. The deposite will be situated outside the entrances to the arena and the Official Fan Zone.
Visitors can find summary information on the official website 2024.iihfworlds.com under "Fan Information"
Specific connections are listed on each provider's website:
Connections within the city of Ostrava: https://www.dpo.cz
Connections within the Moravian-Silesian Region - the ODIS integrated transport system:
www.odis.cz/hockey
Train connections: https:// www.cd.cz
Finding a connection in general: https://idos.idnes.cz
Park and Ride Car Parks:
- Dolní Vítkovice (bus + car) https://maps.app.goo.gl/ffJ1tLoSJhbWgy8v8
- Lipový dvůr (car) https://maps.app.goo.gl/Eu2AF2RGddHHkejm9
- Závodní (car) https://maps.app.goo.gl/knUEZBLqdGGEmXA16