SM Seaside Cebu Arena is ready for the world’s biggest events with ₱7B investment

The new 25,000-seat venue aims to attract international concerts, conventions and sports events that can boost tourism and create more business opportunities in the Visayas.

The business of live entertainment is getting bigger outside Metro Manila. With its new ₱7-billion arena in Cebu, SM Prime wants to attract more international events that can drive tourism, support local enterprises and encourage visitors to stay longer in the Visayas.

SM Prime officially introduced the venue to trade, tourism and corporate partners on July 9, ahead of its first major event with the BINI Signals World Tour on July 11. The arena can accommodate up to 25,000 guests, making it the largest indoor entertainment venue in the Visayas.

The project goes beyond concerts. Connected to SM Seaside City Cebu, the upcoming SMX Convention Center Seaside Cebu, Park Inn by Radisson and Radisson Hotel, the arena is designed to attract conventions, corporate events, sports competitions and international productions that can fill hotels, restaurants, transport services and nearby businesses.

SM Prime President Jeffrey C. Lim said the investment is expected to encourage tourists to stay longer while creating economic opportunities for local entrepreneurs and surrounding communities.

“Cebu has long been one of the country’s most dynamic markets. With this arena, we can bring more Filipino and international acts to the Visayas and strengthen the region’s place in the live entertainment circuit,” Lim said.

Designed by global architecture firm Arquitectonica, the arena also features Cebu’s largest center-hung display for concerts, sporting events and large-scale productions, along with 30 premium suites for corporate guests and private groups.

As more large-scale events head to Cebu, businesses across the tourism and hospitality sector stand to benefit from increased visitor spending, while residents in the Visayas gain greater access to world-class entertainment without having to fly to Metro Manila.

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