Arena

:For other meanings see arena (disambiguation)

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An arena is a circular or oval shaped (or sometimes rectangular) public space (akin to a classical amphitheatre), designed to showcase theater, musical performances, or sporting events. It is composed of a large open space surrounded on most or all sides by raised, usually tiered, seats or benches for spectators. The key feature of an arena is that the event space is the lowest point, allowing for maximum visibility. Usually, an arena is designed to accommodate a fairly large number of spectators, such as New York City's Madison Square Garden, Chicago's United Center or Miami's American Airlines Arena.

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The term "arena" is sometimes used as a synonym for a very large venue such as Pasadena's Rose Bowl, but such a facility is typically called a "stadium". The use of one term over the other has mostly to do with the type of event. Football is typically played in a "stadium" while basketball and hockey are typically played in an "arena", although many of the larger "arenas" hold more spectators than do the "stadiums" of smaller colleges or high schools. And there are exceptions. The home of the Duke University basketball team would qualify as an "arena", but the facility is called Cameron Indoor Stadium.

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The term "arena" is also used loosely to refer to any event or type of event which either literally or metaphorically takes place in such a location--- often with the specific intent of comparing an idea to a sporting event, such as "the arena of war" or "the arena of love" or "the political arena".

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In the United States, the term 'arena' generally refers specifically to indoor stadia.

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The Latin word arena means "sand", which was useful as the primary surface when gladiators battled wild animals or each other, to absorb the blood. In Spanish, the word carries both meanings. A bullfight is held in an arena (or plaza de toros, literally "place of bulls") and its floor is also covered with arena.

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See also: List of indoor arenas

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Amphitheatre: The name amphitheatre (alternatively amphitheater) is given to a public building of the Classical period (being particularly associated with ancient Rome) which was used for spectator sports, games and displays....

Theater: REDIRECT Theatre...

New York City: :This is an article about New York City; see also NYC, New York, New York (disambiguation) and New York....

Arena related Images and Photos (experimental)

Arena	The Arena in Pola	The Arena at Arles c.1888	Arena 2012 Poster Calendar
Joe Louis Arena - '09 St. Cup / Gm. 1	Mellon Arena - Pittsburgh Pennsylvania	Bakugan Battle Arena Season 3 Playset	Bakugan Battle Arena Season 4 Playset
Star Wars Arena Standoff Canvas Giclee Print	Mellon Arena Game Three of the 2008-09 NHL Stanley Cup Finals	Rupp Arena University of Kentucky Wildcats 2010	Red Seats in Arena