Insider Spotlight
In 2025 alone, the 15,000-seat venue staged over 200 events and welcomed more than 1.1 million attendees, marking a 10 percent increase from the previous year, driven by both international tours and local productions.
Why it matters
The figures reinforce the Philippines’ growing position as a regional destination for concerts, sports, and entertainment, while highlighting the value of large, professionally managed venues in driving tourism and consumer spending.
By the numbers
The arena has hosted global acts including Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, Maroon 5, and BTS, alongside major events such as the FIBA Basketball World Cup and the FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship. Long-running productions like Disney On Ice continue to anchor recurring demand.
What they’re saying
“These events reflect the strength of demand for large-scale, professionally managed venues in the Philippines,” Jeffrey C. Lim, president of SM Prime Holdings, said in a press statement on April 15, 2026.
“Our continued investments in our arena portfolio align with our strategy to strengthen our integrated developments, support tourism, and deliver compelling live experiences to our customers,” Lim added.
Zoom in
SM Prime has been investing in upgrades to keep the venue competitive. In 2025, the arena installed a $2.1 million center-hung LED system from Daktronics, enhancing visuals, data integration, and overall production quality.
Additional improvements include upgraded entry systems and digital displays aimed at improving crowd flow, security, and operational efficiency.
The big picture
The company is expanding beyond Metro Manila, with the SM Seaside Cebu Arena set to open in the second quarter of 2026, broadening access to large-scale events in the Visayas.
SM Prime’s broader events portfolio now spans multiple venues with a combined capacity of 110,000, positioning the group to capture sustained growth in live entertainment and tourism-linked activity. —Vanessa Hidalgo |Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
