At arena, we understand that all athletes are motivated by victory. Whether it's to climb onto the podium or achieve their personal best, the ultimate goal is always victory. We understand because we share the same desire.

Ever since arena founder Horst Dassler launched his company, arena has focused on winning. We have had only one goal: to strengthen and promote aquatic sports. By continually seeking to team up with athletes to inspire them, we have always provided products that meet and exceed their expectations.

For us, that's a win. And with nearly 50 years of experience, we've established a connection between our athletes and our products.

For us, it's our way of standing alongside you on the podium.

When Horst Dassler (son of the founder of Adidas) created the arena brand in 1973, he was a visionary. Inspired by Mark Spitz's performance at the 1973 Munich Olympics, Dassler saw more than just the creation of a new swimwear brand. He aspired to found a new type of company, based on the expectations of swimmers and the technology needed to maximise their performance.

The first material illustrated Dassler's intentions: Skinfit®, a technological gem, a new ultra-light fabric weighing 18 grams, designed to fit the swimmer's body like a second skin.

In 1976, arena launched its first line of competition swim caps and goggles.

That same year, ‘Team arena’ was formed, a group of 10 champions (Mark Spitz (USA), Novella Calligaris (ITA), Gary Hall (USA), etc.) called upon to popularise swimming around the world. They won 44 Olympic medals in Montreal! Two years later at the World Championships in Berlin, when Dassler extended his sponsorship strategy to certain national teams, the three-diamond brand won 62 medals and broke nine world records.

At the first World Championships that same year, arena's first line of men's swimwear was made from Skinfit®, a revolutionary ultra-lightweight (18g) technological marvel. arena became the preferred partner of swimming in France.

The highlight of this first decade of innovation was the launch of a second revolutionary product for women, the Flyback®. Introduced at the 1980 Moscow Olympics, it was the first women's swimsuit with thin straps and an open back, a design intended to increase upper body movement while optimising water flow over the body.