Hamar Olympic Hall

Widely known as the Viking Ship due to its unique design by architects Niels Torp AS and Biong and Biong AS, the Hamar Olympic Hall was the venue for speed skating in 1994.

Hamar Olympic Hall
© Rudmer Zwerver, Dreamstime.com / Vikingskipet Olympic Oval Speed skating stadium, in the shape of the bow of a Viking ship.

With a capacity of 10,600, including 2,000 seats, it is one of the world’s largest indoor complexes, visited by around 300,000 people in 1994. The hall is still Norway’s national facility for bandy and speed skating, and was also developed post-Games into a multi-purpose stage for football, cycling, track and field, curling and motorsports. It even has the capacity to accommodate a golf driving range (with a 200m drive potential) and equestrian sports.

The rink is also extremely popular among the general public for skating, fairs, company events, exhibitions, banquets and concerts for up to 20,000 people. It has hosted musicians such as Beyoncé and Stevie Wonder, and sports events such as the ISU Speed Skating World Cup.