PostFinance Arena

The PostFinance Arena does not sit on a quiet patch of grass. It stands in the Allmend district of Bern, where the city’s ice hockey team, SC Bern, has played for decades. A major rebuild for the 2009 IIHF World Championships altered the structure, replacing the old VIP zone with a five-storey extension and adding a media center.

What marks this place most clearly is the sound. The stands sit close to the boards, and the crowd fills the space. The capacity holds roughly 17,000 people, and the arrangement ensures the noise reaches every corner. In the photographs, the seating is a mix of fixed seats and standing areas, packed tight. The roof structure is visible above, with lighting rigs hanging centrally. The ice surface reflects the light, and the glass barriers separate the players from the fans.

The arena has hosted events that stretch beyond local hockey. The 2008 Victoria Cup brought the New York Rangers to face Metallurg Magnitogorsk. More recently, the NHL Global Series saw the Nashville Predators play here. The venue also accommodates non-sporting events, such as concerts for Depeche Mode and DJ Bobo.

The atmosphere here is distinct. Fans wave flags and hold up banners, creating patterns in the stands.

The arena has seen its share of records. The highest average attendance in a single season in Europe was recorded here during 2008/2009. The crowd often fills the space, and the proximity of the fans to the action adds to the intensity. The building has evolved, but the core experience remains the same: a close-knit community watching their team compete.