Riverbank Arena | Olympics 2012

The Riverbank Arena also known as the Hockey Centre will be the place to see teams battle it out with their sticks to secure themselves the gold medal and observe Paralympic football teams at their greatest. Both sports are extremely entertaining to watch especially as hockey is one of the fastest team sports at the Olympic Games 2012. What makes this Olympic hockey competition greater than previous events is the surface they will be playing on. Instead of a green pitch, the London Olympic Games 2012 will be providing teams with a pink water-based synthetic-turf pitch that will make the game even faster and demand skilful play from all of the teams.

Although hockey is a non-contact sport, it has proven in the past to be quite a physical game. Hockey sticks will be swung at all angles, teams will be fighting to get hold of ball and the spectators will be able to watch in awe as the ball is smacked through the air and in the back of the net.

The Paralympic Five-a-side and Seven-a-side football is also a greatly anticipated sport to watch with all players wearing eyeshades to ensure fairness, and skilfully passing the ball that contains a noise-making device inside. 

Events taking place at the Riverbank Arena

The Olympic Park’s Riverbank Arena will be staging the thrilling hockey competition and Paralympic Five-a-side / Seven-a-side Football.

•    The Hockey competition will be taking place 29 July to 11 August
•    The Paralympic Five-a-side Football will be taking place 31 August to 8 September
•    The Paralympic Seven-a-side Football will be taking place 1 to 9 September

Venue Address

Riverbank Arena,

Eastway,

North Section,

Olympic Park,

Stratford,

E15 1BN

Telephone Number: 020 3201 2000

Travel (http://www.tfl.gov.uk)

When seeing the hockey and Paralympic football events at the Riverbank Arena you are in the midst of all the excitement surrounding the London Olympic Games. Situated in the Olympic Park, travelling to your destination couldn’t be easier. However, we do urge you to plan your journey in advance and be aware of any last minute changes.

Tube

If your transport of choice is the London tube service, the closest stations to the Olympic Park are Stratford (Central and Jubilee Lines) or Leyton (Central Line).

Overground

If you’ll be travelling into London using the overground the station you will need to get to is Stratford Rail Station or Maryland Rail Station. 

Buses

The bus services in London are unparallel to the rest of the country. To get to the Olympic Park hop on to the number 339 bus from Stratford City Bus Station to Shadwell Station or number 25 from Oxford Circus to Hainault Street.

About the Riverbank Arena

In October 2011 the first Riverbank Arena pitch was revealed and at the beginning of this year the surrounding structures were erected just in time for the first hockey test match. The Riverbank Arena boasts two pitches, one which is intended to be used as a warm up area and the other for us, the spectators. The hockey pitches are located between the Press Centre and the River Lea, with the main pitch holding an impressive capacity of 16,000.

Once the Games are complete and the worthy athletes are presented with their medals, the Riverbank Arena pitch will be relocated to the north of the Olympic Park at Eton Manor where a group of permanent sporting facilities will be located.

Accommodation

If speed, like hockey and football, is the name of the game then you’ll love how close some of our Olympic 2012 accommodation is to the Riverbank Arena and Olympic Park, serviced by some of the fastest transport links. Located a small distance away from the venue, at Refresh Accommodation we can provide you and your family or friends with world class accommodation. From one bedroom studios to three-bedroom apartments you’ll never be disappointed with our selection.

Stratford Bellhaven, Docklands (nearest underground: Stratford)

Canary South  Marlin, Canary Wharf (nearest underground: Canary Wharf, South Quay)

Marlin Apartments Aldgate, The City (nearest underground: Aldgate East)

Think London Bridge, London Bridge (nearest station: London Bridge)

What else is in the area?

With such great sporting events taking place at the Olympic Park, it’s hard to fathom why you would want to be anywhere else. However, if you wish to see what else the area has to offer, you will not be short of attractions to see and activities to do. If you’ve had enough of seeing the River Lea and would like to surround yourself with green scenery, Victoria Park is close by, or if you would like to be entertained in another venue, why not watch a show at the Theatre Royal Stratford East? 

Victoria Park, Approach Road, Hackney, London

Discover, 383-387 High Street, Stratford, London, E15

Sutton House, 2 and 4 Homerton High Street, Hackney, London, E9

Roman Road Market, Roman Road, London, Tower Hamlets, London E3

Theatre Royal Stratford East, Gerry Raffles Square, London, E15