European Arenas Association News: New President & Members

The European Arenas Association (EAA) announced Robert Fitzpatrick as its new president earlier this month.

Fitzpatrick succeeds Olivier Toth, who steps down after successfully completing a six-year mandate. Olivier Toth will remain actively involved with the association, continuing to serve on the Board as the representative for the central European region.

Robert Fitzpatrick recently stepped down as CEO of the Odyssey Trust Company in Belfast, Northern Ireland, after eighteen years to take up a new role as chair of the Belfast Giants Ice Hockey Club. Robert has been closely involved with the association since 2010, co-founding the Arena Resilience Alliance with Olivier Toth during the pandemic and serving most recently as the Chair of the EAA Education Steering Group.

Reflecting on the handover, outgoing President Oliver Toth commented, “I can think of no better person to lead the association. Over the years, Robert has worked tirelessly on behalf of the members to deliver a wide range of objectives, and I look forward to continuing to support the association under Robert’s leadership in my new capacity.”

Speaking on his appointment, the new president, Robert Fitzpatrick, said, “I am honoured to step into this role. Under Olivier’s presidency, the association has increased membership, strengthened ties with the European Union, and launched a new education platform for venue professionals. Together with the Board and our members, I look forward to building on the strong foundation laid by Olivier and shaping the next chapter of the association.”

The association also confirmed the appointment of three new Board Members. Renzo Cannabona from Hallenstadion in Zurich, Switzeland; Debbie McWilliams from the OVO Hydro in Glasgow, Scotland; and Charlotta Lechtaler from Scandinavium in Gothenburg, Sweden, will take up positions on the board, succeeding outgoing members, Jorge Vinha da Silva, Adrian Doyle and Lotta Nibell, whose mandates have now been completed.

In addition, Konrad Koziol, PreZero Arena Gliwice was re-elected for a second term.
The association thanks the departing president and board members for their dedicated service and welcomes the new members as they begin their terms.

EAA executive director, Victoria Matthews, added, “We are deeply grateful to Olivier Toth and the Board for their dedication and vision. We warmly welcome Robert Fitzpatrick and the new Board members, and we look forward to an exciting era for the association.”

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The EAA also announced that LDLC Arena Lyon-Décines in France, and Ergo Arena Gdańsk in Poland have joined the association as new members.

The announcement was made at the recent Autumn General Meeting which was hosted at the newly inaugurated Roig Arena in Valencia, Spain. The incorporation of these venues to the EAA takes the total number of members to 43 arenas across 20 countries.

Commenting on the new memberships, Fitzpatrick said, “The inclusion of Ergo Arena and LDLC Arena reflects the rich diversity of our membership, ensuring representation from across all European regions. This breadth greatly benefits our members as we continue to grow our activities across the key pillars of education, networking, and representation.”

Ergo Arena, located on the Baltic seaside just 600 meters from the beach, sits on the border of Gdańsk and Sopot. It is Poland’s second-largest venue in terms of number of events hosted and ranks third nationally for music events. The arena also boasts a strong sporting tradition, serving as home to the Polish first division basketball team Trefl Sopot, the men’s volleyball team Trefl Gdańsk, and the first division men’s handball team Wybrzeże Gdańsk.

Magdalena Sekula, CEO, Ergo Arena, commented, “Joining this prestigious group is a great honour for Ergo Arena, but also an important step in our continued development. This is a significant association that has, for years, brought together leading venues from across Europe – both newly established arenas and those like ours, with a strong regional presence but also in need of ongoing investment. We are excited to contribute to a space for sharing experiences, best practices, and insights into trends that are already shaping the future of sports and entertainment venues.”

The LDLC Arena in Lyon-Décines, multimodal venue that brings together and hosts all types of events, such as concerts, shows, sport events or corporate events, plays a pivotal role in enhancing the cultural appeal of Lyon and the wider Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region. By attracting spectators, customers, and partners from across the region, the arena strengthens both community engagement and economic vitality.

Its strategic location at the heart of Europe — with close proximity to Switzerland and Italy — expands its reach nationally and internationally, further boosting tourism and reinforcing Lyon’s position as a dynamic and attractive metropolis.

Xavier Pierrot, CEO, LDLC Arena: “As the leading venue for entertainment in the region, the LDLC Arena is proud to play a central role in shaping Lyon’s cultural and sporting identity. We are glad to be part of the EAA and to contribute to the exchange of experiences, insights, and best practices with fellow members from across Europe. This collaboration not only allows us to learn from others but also to share our own expertise, strengthening the network of arenas that drive cultural, social, and economic impact across the continent.”

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