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| (Image Source: SM Supermalls) |
SM Prime Holdings Inc. (SM Prime) expands Cebu’s position as a major destination for entertainment, tourism and business with the opening of SM Seaside Cebu Arena, a world-class venue designed for concerts, sports events, corporate gatherings and large-scale entertainment productions. The arena marks the next phase in the growth of SM Prime’s South Road Properties (SRP) estate, creating a new venue where local and international performers, businesses and communities can come together in one of the country’s fastest-growing urban districts.
“This arena is part of our long-term vision for Cebu. By creating a world-class platform for live entertainment and large-scale gatherings within SRP, we give local and foreign tourists another reason to visit and stay longer. More importantly, this investment will generate economic opportunities for local entrepreneurs and nearby communities,” said SM Prime President Jeffrey C. Lim. Located within SRP, SM Seaside Cebu Arena has direct access to SM Seaside City Cebu and the upcoming SMX Convention Center Seaside Cebu, Park Inn by Radisson and Radisson Hotel. The development brings together entertainment, hospitality, retail and business destinations that support Cebu’s continued growth as a tourism and commercial hub. Designed by award-winning global architecture firm Arquitectonica, the Php7B (7 billion pesos) arena spans more than seven hectares of gross floor area and can accommodate up to 25,000 guests. Its wave-shaped glass exterior draws inspiration from the design of its sister venue, the SM Mall of Asia Arena, while giving Cebu a new landmark for major events. SM Seaside Cebu Arena features Cebu’s largest and most advanced center-hung display, built to deliver clear visuals, immersive sound and real-time data integration for concerts, sports events, electronic dance music shows, family entertainment, corporate programs, circus productions and motorsports events. The venue also offers premium experiences through its 30 luxury Premier Suites located above the VIP sections. Each suite can accommodate 13 to 31 guests and comes with upscale seating, private restrooms and unobstructed views of the event floor. Suite holders and their guests will have access to dedicated VIP lounges, a café and an exclusive entrance. “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 Cebu’s position as a premier destination for entertainment and events,” said Lim.
The opening of SM Seaside Cebu Arena brings more opportunities for tourism, local businesses, and future large-scale events across the Visayas regions to host major entertainment events as strongly testified by the sold-out and highly succesful Cebu leg of the BINI Signals World Tour 2026 held last July 11, 2026 which not only drew thousands of fans from across the Visayas and beyond but also showcased the venue's capability to host large-scale productions while reinforcing Cebu's emergence as a thriving regional entertainment hub and growing reputation as a destination for world-class live entertainment. The successful event highlighted the growing confidence of artists, promoters, and production companies in bringing major concerts to Cebu. Beyond delivering an unforgettable experience for fans, the concert generated economic activity across the tourism, hospitality, retail, transportation, and food sectors, creating new opportunities for local businesses and showcasing the region's capability to support productions of international standards. SM Seaside Cebu Arena proved to be more than just a concert venue as concertgoers were able to maximize their experience by enjoying shopping, dining, and leisure activities at SM Seaside City Cebu before and after the show, demonstrating how the integrated destination enhances every visit while contributing to the city's growing appeal as a lifestyle and entertainment center. The overwhelming response to the BINI concert further affirmed Cebu's growing role in the country's live entertainment scene. As more artists and organizers include the city in their concert tours, Cebu is attracting greater investments, increasing visitor arrivals, generating employment, and strengthening its creative and tourism industries. These developments position the city as a key entertainment gateway for the Visayas and Mindanao.
Through SM Seaside Cebu Arena, SM remains true to its promise of bringing world-class entertainment closer to Filipino communities while helping drive regional growth. By continuously developing destinations that blend retail, leisure, and live entertainment, SM Supermalls is creating more opportunities for people to connect, celebrate, and maximize their experiences while contributing to Cebu's continued rise as one of the country's premier entertainment destinations.
