Peace and Friendship Stadium

The Peace and Friendship Stadium (SEF) sits in Neo Faliro, a district of Piraeus, not the city centre itself. Inside, the space is defined by its permanent wooden parquet floor, a vast expanse of polished wood that separates it from the outdoor arenas found elsewhere in the city.

Constructed in the late 1970s and opened in 1985, the building has a distinct architectural character. It won an international award for its design, a recognition that seems to stem from the way the roof curves over the stands without the interruption of internal pillars. The venue underwent a significant transformation in the early 2000s to prepare for the Olympic Games, a project that altered the capacity for volleyball. The original design allowed for a larger crowd, but the numbers were not reduced to focus on safety and comfort.

Today, the stadium is the home of Olympiacos BC. The club signed a long-term lease with the Greek government, securing a future for the team in this specific location. There have been discussions about a further redevelopment to bring the arena closer to an NBA-style layout, but for now, the structure remains largely as it was after the last major renovation. It is a place that hosts not just sport, but also concerts, where the temporary seating changes the profile of the arena.