Kuznetsk Metallurgists Sports Palace

The Kuznetsk Metallurgists Sports Palace in Novokuznetsk is defined by its industrial lineage rather than sporting glamour. Designed by the Kemerovo Civil Engineering Design Institute and completed on October 1, 1984, it replaced an outdoor rink that had occupied the site since 1937, and its initial construction relied heavily on volunteer labour from local organisations rather than federal funding. At its opening, the venue held 11,000 spectators for a match between Metallurg Novokuznetsk and Metallurg Cherepovets that ended in a 4-4 draw.

The building’s history is punctuated by a major renovation costing 2.583 billion Russian rubles, completed in 2023. This project, timed for the International Children’s Games "Children of Asia", saw the installation of a new LED-lit facade, modern ice system, and lighting compliant with KHL standards. Prior to this, the arena had been closed in 2020 following safety violations, forcing the home team to relocate.

The capacity has drifted downwards over decades. After fixed seating was installed in 1985, the number fell to 8,300, and later records cited a passport capacity of 7,533. The 2023 works reduced the official figure to 6,818 to meet modern safety norms. The facility serves as the home for Metallurg Novokuznetsk, which plays in the VHL, and hosted the first-ever KHL All-Star Game in 1999. The ice surface is artificial, maintained by a refrigeration system using polyethylene pipes under a concrete base. The arena was briefly renamed the Arena of Kuznetsk Metallurgists named after O. I. Korolenko in December 2021, though the corporate sponsorship name remains absent from the structure itself.