New Sports Palace

In the heart of the bustling Saburtalo district lies the legendary New Sports Palace — one of the most significant and grand indoor facilities that Tbilisi is proud of. This architectural monument of the modernist era was built between 1957 and 1961 and immediately became the main arena where the sporting heart of all Georgia beats.

New Sports Palace. Иллюстрация. Источник: Kupi.com AI

The building's main feature is its unique concrete dome, designed by the outstanding engineer Davit Kadjaia. Thanks to this bold engineering solution, the palace long held the status of the largest basketball stadium in the territory of the former Soviet republics. Surrounded by a spacious square, the arena is an important urban landmark and a point of attraction for thousands of spectators.

After a major renovation in 2007, the complex found a second life: modern seats were installed, and the playing court and roof were updated. Today, it is a multifunctional space capable of hosting not only basketball battles but also grand international festivals and concerts by world stars.

To plan your visit and check the current schedule of events, it is recommended to use official city portals or ticket services, as direct contact details (phone and email) are not always available in open sources.

Visiting the arena is, first and foremost, an opportunity to witness exciting sporting events. Matches of the Georgia national basketball team and home games of the famous "Dinamo" club are regularly held here. In addition to basketball, the palace walls host competitions in volleyball, boxing, tennis, fencing, and even gymnastics, providing spectators with an excellent view from any of the sectors.

If sports interest you less, it is worth following the cultural events calendar. Thanks to its excellent acoustics and large capacity, the complex often becomes a venue for music festivals and major concerts. Inside, comfortable conditions have been created for visitors: modern individual seating has been installed, and a well-thought-out system of entrances allows for quick navigation within the building.

The sports arena is located at 1 May 26th Square, in one of the city's busiest and most modern districts — Saburtalo. Thanks to its central location, getting here from any part of the city is easy. For those who prefer private transport or rental cars, parking for 400 vehicles is available.

The fastest way to reach the facility is by metro (the nearest station is within walking distance) or by calling a taxi via popular city apps. A trip from the historical center will take no more than 10–15 minutes in the absence of traffic jams. For precise navigation, you can use the coordinates: 41.718151°N, 44.7283287°E.

The history of this grand structure began in 1956 when architects Vladimir Aleksi-Meskhishvili and Yuri Kasradze started designing a demonstration hall for the "Spartak" sports society. Construction work took place from 1957 to 1961, transforming a wasteland in the Saburtalo district into one of the capital's main architectural symbols.

The building's main technological pride is its concrete dome, created by engineer Davit Kadjaia. The design was truly revolutionary: it was assembled from heavy trapezoidal slabs weighing up to four tons without the use of auxiliary scaffolding. The entire assembly process of the dome took a record 28 working days at the end of 1960, and the unique installation method was officially patented by the engineer.

The grand opening took place on May 12, 1961. Since then, the arena has become not only a venue for sporting triumphs but also a 20th-century architectural masterpiece. In 2007, the complex underwent a deep modernization costing about $5 million, resulting in a complete roof replacement and the update of all internal infrastructure to meet modern international standards.

If your goal is simply to view the building's architecture and take some striking photos of the unique dome from the outside, 1–2 hours will be quite enough. The large open square in front of the building allows you to view the details of the modernist facade from all angles.

For those planning to attend a specific sporting competition or musical show, it is worth setting aside 2 to 4 hours. This time will be sufficient to go through security without rushing, find your seat in the hall, and enjoy the atmosphere of the event.

There is no single operating schedule for free public visits to the arena. Access hours inside depend directly on the schedule of specific matches, tournaments, or concert programs. Usually, doors open 1–2 hours before the start of the scheduled event.

To plan your visit, it is recommended to check information in advance on the official websites of the organizers or follow announcements on city posters so as not to miss an interesting event.

The area around the arena is rich in interesting locations that will help make your walk through the capital even more fulfilling. Here you can find both cozy green areas for relaxation and modern entertainment centers for the whole family.

Exploring the surroundings of Saburtalo and neighboring districts will allow you to better feel the rhythm of the modern Georgian capital and see the city beyond its old quarters.