Beyond shopping and business, Cebu is preparing to become a bigger stop for concerts, sports, and live entertainment as SM Prime Holdings Inc. brings more than 20 major events to its newly opened SM Seaside Cebu Arena this year.
SM Prime said the arena’s initial lineup will include local and international music acts, live theatrical productions, sports competitions, and family entertainment shows. Some of the scheduled performances are expected to mark the first large-scale regional appearances of featured artists.
The property developer said the events are part of its push to expand Cebu’s share in the country’s growing live entertainment market.
“Our goal is to help Cebu capture a larger share of the live entertainment economy,” SM Prime President Jeffrey C. Lim said in a regulatory filing with the Philippine Stock Exchange.
“When major events come to the city, the impact extends beyond the venue. They support tourism, hospitality, transport, retail, and local services that benefit from stronger visitor inflow,” he added.
SM Prime said the demand for live events has continued to grow as consumers, particularly younger generations, increasingly spend on experiences such as concerts, leisure activities, and social events.
The company also partnered with global ticketing operator Ticketmaster in May to launch SM Ticketmaster, a platform that replaces its previous SM Tickets service.
The new ticketing system integrates Ticketmaster’s digital fraud prevention technology with SM Prime’s nationwide retail and distribution network.
The SM Seaside Cebu Arena features facilities designed to accommodate different types of events, including concerts, corporate gatherings, circus shows, and motorsports activities.
It houses the largest center-hung digital video display in the Visayas, allowing high-definition replays and improved viewing visibility for audiences.
Located at the South Road Properties reclamation district, the arena is directly connected to SM Seaside City Cebu and forms part of a larger commercial and hospitality development that will include the upcoming SMX Convention Center Seaside Cebu, a Park Inn by Radisson, and a Radisson Hotel.
SM Prime said the expansion is expected to support Cebu’s tourism and local economy by bringing more visitors who may also contribute to demand for hotels, restaurants, retail establishments, transportation services, and other businesses in the area.
Photo courtesy of The Manila Times
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