The place for blood and sand? (5)
I believe the answer is:
arena
'the place' is the definition.
(I have seen 'Place of contest' mean 'arena' so perhaps 'place' could also mean 'arena')
'blood and sand?' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'and' could be 'n' (common abbreviation for 'and') and 'n' is located in the answer.
The remaining letters 'area' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This explanation may well be incorrect...
'for' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for arena that I've seen before include "Earls Court?" , "theatre" , "Circus ring" , "Place for public events" , "Part of a stadium" .)