An
arena is an enclosed area, often circular or oval-shaped, designed to showcase
theater,
musical performances, or
sporting events. The word derives from Latin
harena, a particularly fine/smooth sand used to absorb blood in ancient arenas such as the
Colosseum in
Rome. It is composed of a large open space surrounded on most or all sides by tiered seating for spectators. The key feature of an arena is that the event space is the lowest point, allowing for maximum visibility. Arenas are usually designed to accommodate a large number of spectators.