Håkons Hall is regularly used for handball and ice hockey tournaments, concerts, exhibitions, conferences and banquets.

The naming of the arena was decided by the Lillehammer Municipal Council in October 1988, as part of a broader branding policy, based on the history of the Birkebeiner.

Håkons Hall is named for Haakon Haakonarson, a medieval king of Norway who as a child was transported across the mountains by skiers.

This was controversial and many councilors voted for the original decentralized plan, with the venues spread out through the municipality.

The roof consists of four sections held up by double trussed beams in glued laminated timber, with lengths up to 85.4 meters (280 ft).

The maximum ceiling height is 40 meters (130 ft), and there is a direct drive-in entrance to the hall for exhibitions.

For trade fairs, the venue offers 3,500 square meters (38,000 sq ft), in addition to the VIP and lobby facilities.

[12] The cooling and heating systems for Håkons Hall and Eidsiva Arena are connected, allowing them to function as energy reserves for each other.

Håkons Hall hosted 21 games, including the final which saw Sweden beat Canada in a penalty shootout.

[14] The first major international tournament in the hall was some matches of the 1993 World Women's Handball Championship.

[17] Norway hosted the 1999 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship in Oslo, Lillehammer and Hamar.

Oslo Spektrum was also considered to hold the final, but with only 8,500 seats and a higher rent, Håkons Hall was preferred.

[20] Håkons Hall hosted the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2004 on 20 November 2004, won by María Isabel with "Antes Muerta que Sencilla".

[23] In 2010, Idrettsgallaen, a show to honor the past year's Norwegian sports and athletes achievements, was hosted at Håkons Hall.