Danubius Arena in Tulcea inaugurated amid record youth basketball crowd

The new Danubius Arena in Tulcea, Romania, was officially opened on 31 July 2026, coinciding with the inaugural match of the FIBA U18 Women’s EuroBasket Division B between Romania and Azerbaijan. The game attracted 4,341 spectators, the highest attendance ever recorded for a youth basketball match in Romania, and was free to the public. Top scorer for the Romanian side was Ioana‑Vanessa Velcea with 22 points. The modern facility, costing over €24 million, seats nearly 4,800, spans more than 15,000 m² and includes a main court, training hall, press rooms and an underground parking lot. Ministers Cseke Attila and federation president Carmen Tocală attended the opening.

Within hours of the ceremony, authorities reported acts of vandalism inside the arena, with individuals testing the durability of fixtures and attempting theft. Local officials called for community respect and cooperation to protect the new public asset, emphasizing that the venue is intended for the benefit of children, athletes and residents of Tulcea County.