Located towards the west of the Olympic Park, the Arena will have 10,000 spectator seats for Handball during the Olympic Games and 6,000 spectator seats for Goalball during the Paralympic Games.

After the Games it will be adapted to become a multi-sport arena for the local community.

An appointment is expected later this year. Procurement of construction contractors will begin early in 2008 with construction due to be completed in 2011 to enable the venue to be tested.

The shortlisted consortia are:

Bligh Voller Nield; Patel Taylor; Arup; GHD

David Morley Architects; Max Fordham; Buro Happold; Fabrik

dRMM; Fulcrum Consulting; Michael Hadi Associates; Vector Foiltec

Grimshaw; SKM Anthony Hunts; Buro Happold

make architects; PTW; Arup

schmidt hammer lassen; Arup; Royal Haskoning UK

Sports Concepts; Reid Architecture; Faber Maunsell