HAMBURG, Germany (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — Rautakirja has announced that it has agreed to sell the Color Line Arena in Hamburg to Anschutz Entertainment Group for an undisclosed amount. Rautakirja, part of the SanomaWSOY Group obtained the arena when they acquired venue operators D+J Arena Hamburg GmbH.
"The decision to sell our multipurpose arena in Hamburg is in line with Rautakirja’s long-term strategy to focus on the distribution and retail sales of press products as well as specialised retail trade. As one of the leading sports and entertainment presenters in the world, AEG is a perfect new home for this business," says Erkki Järvinen, President and CEO of Rautakirja.
Newly-built in 2002, the busy arena provides space for 16,000 fans, including 74 skyboxes and 3 group boxes and hosts an average of 125 events a year, ranging from sports and concert events to trade shows. It serves as home field for two different teams, Hamburgs top division ice hockey team the Hamburg Freezers as well as the national league club HSV Handball.
The arena also features 16 fast-food outlets, four bars, three differently themed restaurants offering space for nearly 5.000 guests.
"With this takeover, the Anschutz Entertainment Group is expanding its commitment as an enterprise and increasing its strategic importance in the German market for live entertainment," says Detlef Kornett, Managing Director of the Anschutz Entertainment Group. – CelebrityAccess Staff Writers
