The arena opened in 1950 in what was then East Berlin, in a converted hall that had been part of the central cattle market and slaughterhouse complex. It then hosted the first national meeting of the Free German Youth. One of the major sports venues in Berlin in the 20th century, the capacity of the arena was up to 10,000 people. It was a key location for East German ice hockey until 1970. Many DDR-Oberliga games were played at the facility. Werner-Seelenbinder-Halle was closed and demolished in 1993. It was replaced by the present-day Velodrom.