Cebu to Open Its Own Arena (Bigger Than MOA Arena) This June!

We all know the struggle of being a fan in the Visayas or Mindanao. When a major artist finally announces a Philippine show, it usually means checking your savings to book a flight to Manila and finding a hotel in Pasay just to see them. It is an expensive and tiring trip that adds a lot to the already high cost of a concert ticket.

SM Seaside Cebu Arena seating capacity and features

^{Image credit: KSCRC - SM SEASIDE City Cebu Arena | FPV Drone Video | 4K on YouTube (0:16)}

This June, SM Prime is changing that cycle by opening the SM Seaside Cebu Arena. Located within the South Coast City estate, this multipurpose indoor venue is built to be even larger than the Mall of Asia Arena in Manila. While the Manila flagship fits about 20,000 people at full capacity, this new Cebu landmark can hold approximately 25,000 guests.

Because the arena is so large, it gives international organizers a real reason to skip the capital and head straight to Cebu. The building is designed with professional-grade sports and entertainment systems, meaning the sound and stage quality will match what you find in other major Asian cities.

Also read: Cebu Airport Just Won Asia’s Airport of the Year 2025

Integrated access and mall amenities

Developers have focused on making the experience as easy as possible for visitors to avoid the usual stresses of attending a massive event. To protect you from the heat or rain, a SkyBridge will connect the arena directly to the SM Seaside City Cebu mall and the SMX Convention Center. This convenient link means you can spend your afternoon at the mall and walk straight to your seat without dealing with outside traffic or the weather.

Beyond the easy walk from the mall, the facility includes several internal features to make your visit more comfortable. The building is fitted with professional-grade entertainment and sports systems for better sound and multi-level spectator areas to ensure you get a clear view of the stage. For those looking for a more private experience, there are corporate suites and VIP lounges, alongside a wide range of food and beverage shops located right inside the building so you never have to go far for a snack.

Saving on travel costs for Visayas and Mindanao fans

^{Image credit: Canva Pro}

Making the Visayas a primary destination for global entertainment is the main goal behind this massive project. According to SM Prime President Jeffrey Lim, the arena is positioned so that fans from the Visayas and Mindanao can finally access large-scale events without needing to fly to Manila. This change simplifies the "concert grind" significantly for those living outside of Luzon.

Regional tourism also gets a major boost by attracting fans from nearby countries like South Korea, Japan, and Singapore. Because Cebu maintains its own direct international flight connections, foreign tourists can land, check into a local hotel, and watch a show all within the same province. Such accessibility makes the region a serious rival to the capital for both international tourism and long-term investment.

Also read: Cebu’s Moalboal is finalist at Philippine Tourism Awards 2025

Future hotels and convention facilities in South Coast City

Opening the arena this June is just the first step in a much larger plan for the South Coast City area. Once the venue is operational, the company intends to introduce more convention facilities and new hotel developments by next year. Their vision is to turn the entire estate into a fully integrated spot where you can stay, eat, and watch a world-class performance in one place.

Currently, management is in active talks with concert promoters and sports federations to secure a full calendar of bookings for the mid-year launch. For many Filipinos, the frustrating extra cost of a Manila trip just to see a favourite band might finally be over.

Building the country's largest indoor venue in the south provides a practical solution for Filipinos who want to enjoy world-class entertainment without the extra cost of domestic airfare. This development makes it easier and significantly cheaper for regional fans to attend the biggest shows.

^{Image credit: SM Seaside City Cebu (Official) Facebook Page}