Global Spectrum Europe, the newly-launched joint venture between Birmingham’s NEC Group and Philadelphia’s Global Spectrum, has won its first management contract – the new Spaladium Arena in Split, Croatia.

The 12,000-seat, multi-use entertainment and sports arena – currently under construction – will form part of the Spaladium Centar, scheduled to open on 27 December.

The arena will feature eight luxury suites, 500 club box seats, additional practice facilities and two club lounges.

Global Spectrum Europe will manage the venue on behalf of Sportski Grad, a consortium consisting of Konstructor and Dalekovod – two constructions firms – and IGH, a civic engineering group.

Paul Thandi, chief executive of the NEC Group, said: “The cultural fit of our organisations is great. The early win of the Spaladium Arena underlines both our credentials and our joint capability.

“The Spaladium will be an agenda-setting venue for the region of Split and indeed Croatia. Our existing customers are very keen to discuss opportunities together with the existing live events market in the region.

The 2009 World Men’s Handball Championships will be the first official sporting event at the Spaladium Arena, hosted between 16 January and 1 Feb.