Olympic Stadiums That Now Serve Completely Different Purposes

28. Grenoble’s Olympic Ice Rink (1968) – Now a Convention and Trade Show Hall

Original Purpose: Hosted figure skating and ice hockey for the 1968 Winter Olympics. New Purpose: A convention center and multipurpose expo hall. Grenoble’s Palais des Sports was once the icy centerpiece of the 1968 Winter Olympics. Today, its chill has been replaced with business buzz. The venue now functions as a year-round convention center, hosting tech expos, business conferences, public exhibitions, and local fairs. Its transformation reflects Grenoble’s identity as a hub of science and innovation—proving that even the most sports-specific venues can pivot into economically productive, community-serving infrastructure. It’s not just about what a venue was built for—it’s what a city dreams it can still become.