Humo Arena

Ice and Uzbekistan seem incompatible things. After all, Uzbekistan is associated with the sun or hot weather, but not with ice. But since the beginning of 2019, after the completion of the construction of the Humo Arena sports and entertainment complex in Tashkent, it has become possible to attend matches, tournaments and competitions in hockey, curling, short track, and figure skating.

Since September 2019, the Humo Arena has hosted regular matches of the Major Hockey League championship. It was an honor and a great pleasure to attend one of Humo HC's matches(Tashkent) and HC Dynamo (St. Petersburg).

The Ice Palace impressed with its size, beauty, modern architectural solutions, and versatility. The palace is built in the shape of the wing of the Humo bird of happiness. There is a multi-level parking nearby. The complex meets all modern safety and equipment requirements, accommodates 12,500 spectators. The stadium was almost completely filled with fans and sports enthusiasts. It was nice to be a part of something common and significant.

It was clear how the spectators of different ages went to the match with high spirits and fighting spirit. After the start of the match, everyone began to clap, rattle, cheer the players, and chant “Only victory!”, “The puck, the puck!". During the match, special drummers moved around the stands, who managed to rally the audience and support the players in difficult moments.

In short intervals, during the substitution of hockey players, cheerleaders danced between the aisles, encouraging athletes and spectators. Rousing music of world hits was played during their dance. Literally everyone was happy and danced, from young to old.

Meanwhile, the hockey players were doing their job. They showed a professional game – tough, principled, strong-willed. A real riot of flame broke out on the ice between the players. They pushed, shoved, pressed against the wall, fell, but rose quickly. There were several skirmishes: heated athletes, without having time to take off their gloves, tried to “solve all the troubles” right on the ice. Of course, after such incidents, the referee's punishment was immediate, in the form of rest on the bench.

But such a tough game was to the liking of all the viewers, and it did not prevent them from maintaining an atmosphere of incredible positivity and goodwill. Yes, people just want bread and circuses!

During the breaks between the three periods of the game, you can go out and walk around the complex. Here you can buy souvenirs from hockey teams, take memorable photos near the stands, go to the museum and get acquainted with the museum exhibits, see rare rare cars, buy something for a snack.

Contests and quizzes were also held during breaks. The audience participated with enthusiasm and good mood. A hockey puck and branded T-shirts were awarded as prizes.

During the match, not a single spectator was left without attention. You may wonder how this is possible. And this is possible with the help of a large screen that transmitted the broadcast of the audience from the podium online. As soon as the camera started filming, the audience happily sent greetings, smiled and blew kisses. There were special headings “Kids time” and “Kiss calm". It was so nice for the children to be captured, and for the couples in love to tell once again about their feelings.

Even though the Humo team lost to the Dynamo team with the score 2:5, no one remained indifferent. The hockey players proudly shook hands and thanked the audience for the warm welcome.

It was obvious that the audience was reluctant to leave. The soul demanded to continue. At that moment, I thought how good it was that now there is such a wonderful ice palace in Tashkent, which has brought something new, positive and useful. It was great to see how the children and teenagers were happy with the attributes of the hockey teams, with what interest they looked at the champion cups and photos of famous athletes.

It is good that winter sports have begun to develop in Uzbekistan! It's an extra reason to distract young people from their smartphones, and adults from everyday worries.