Kamusta? Remember the time when we’d dream about seeing our favorite international artists live, right here in our homeland? Or those times when we’d gather with our barkada to support our beloved basketball teams? Well, I’m taking you on a quick trip down memory lane and reintroducing a place close to our Pinoy hearts — the Mall of Asia Arena! 

Nestled in the bustling heart of Pasay City, the Mall of Asia Arena isn’t just an architectural gem; it’s a beacon of dreams, memories, and the undeniable Filipino spirit. I still remember my first time stepping inside, the chilly AC brushing against my face, the hum of anticipation from the crowd, and the overwhelming feeling of being part of something bigger. From sold-out concerts, thrilling sports events, to grand family celebrations, this arena has been witness to countless tales of joy, laughter, and even tears.

So, whether you’re a die-hard fan waiting to cheer on your idols or a curious traveler on the lookout for world-class entertainment in the Philippines, the Mall of Asia Arena is where our stories intertwine. Tara, let’s create more memories together here! 

History

As part of the SM Mall of Asia complex in Bay City, Pasay, Metro Manila, the SM Mall of Asia Arena is also known as the Mall of Asia Arena or MoA Arena. Here is a brief history of the Mall of Asia Arena based on the search results:

• Construction: The construction of the SM Mall of Asia Arena began in 2010 and cost around ₱3.6 billion. The arena was built on an area of more than 60,000 square meters.
• Opening: The SM Mall of Asia Arena officially opened on May 21, 2012. It has a seating capacity of 15,000 for sporting events and 20,000 for full house events.
• SM Mall of Asia Arena was designed by Arquitectonica. Originally designed for concerts and basketball games, the facility can also accommodate other sporting and entertainment events. The arena has retractable seats and a 2,000-capacity car park building.
• Significance: The SM Mall of Asia Arena is a world-class facility equipped with state-of-the-art technology and facilities. It has hosted several international events, including concerts by renowned international artists, exciting sporting competitions, and live performances. The arena is managed by SM Lifestyle, Inc. and owned by SM Prime Holdings Inc and SM Investments Corporation.

Overall, the SM Mall of Asia Arena is a significant venue in Philippine sports and cultural history. The arena has a rich history of hosting a range of sporting events, cultural events, and concerts, and it continues to be a versatile and modern venue.

Awe-inspiring Architect 

As the name implies, the SM Mall of Asia Arena is an indoor arena located in Bay City, Pasay, Metro Manila, Philippines, within the SM Mall of Asia complex. The arena was designed by architecture firm Arquitectonica. SM Mall of Asia Arena construction began in 2010 and cost around ₱3.6 billion. On May 21, 2012, the arena officially opened.

There are 15,000 seats for sporting events and 20,000 for full house events in the arena. As a concert and basketball venue, the facility can also accommodate other sporting and entertainment events. The arena has retractable seats and a 2,000-capacity car park building. The SM Mall of Asia Arena is managed by SM Lifestyle, Inc. and owned by SM Prime Holdings Inc and SM Investments Corporation. In addition to state-of-the-art technology and facilities, the arena is a world-class facility. It has hosted several international events, including concerts by renowned international artists, exciting sporting competitions, and live performances

Location

https://maps.app.goo.gl/8CgztttUS8JJgcQ38

How to Get There

By Car:

Visitors can drive to the SM Mall of Asia Arena and park in the nearby parking areas. Visitors can use navigation apps such as Waze to get real-time driving directions based on live traffic updates and road conditions.

By Public Transportation:

A bus or train can take visitors to the SM Mall of Asia Arena. The nearest LRT/MRT station is EDSA-Taft Avenue. The official website of Philippine National Railways or the Light Rail Transit Authority for train schedules and routes\Visitors can also use the Moovit app to get real-time public transit directions based on live traffic updates and schedules

Opening Hours

• Mall Hours: The mall is open from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Monday through Sunday.
• Event Hours: The opening hours of the arena may vary depending on the event schedule. 

Facilities and Amenities

 The following are some of the facilities and amenities available at the arena based on the search results:

Facilities

• Seating capacity: The arena seats 15,000 for sporting events and 20,000 for full houses.
• FIBA and NBA standard facilities: Robbins Flooring, Eight-sided Center-hung Scoreboards by Daktroniks, Retractable Spalding Basketball Goals, and LED Ribbon Boards.
• Dug-outs and dressing rooms: International and local athletes can use the arena’s dug-outs and dressing rooms.
• Parking: A car park with 2,000 spaces is available at the arena.

Amenities

• Private lounge area: Every suite is equipped with top-of-the-line amenities, including a private lounge.
• Mini bar: Each suite is furnished with a mini bar.
• Restroom: Restrooms are provided in each suite.
• Large-screen TV monitors: Large-screen TV monitors are provided in every suite.
• Butler service: Each suite is furnished with butler service.
• Press room: Press rooms are available within the arena
• Meet-and-greet room: The arena has a meet-and-greet room.
• Promoters lounge: There is a promoters lounge in the arena.
• Production room: A production room is located in the arena.

Major Events Hosted

 Here are some of the major events hosted at the arena based on the search results:

Entertainment Events

• Bruno Mars concert, 2014
• 2NE1 concert, 2014
• Armin van Buuren Live in Manila – Armin Only “Intense”, 2014
• Maja Salvador concert, 2015
• Disney on Ice, 2016
• Coldplay Music of Spheres World Tour, 2023

Sports Events

• UAAP Season 76 Men’s Basketball Finals, 2013
• FIBA Asia Championship, 2013
• NBA Global Games Philippines, 2013
• ONE Championship: Kings of Destiny, 2017
• ONE Championship: Roots of Honor, 2019

Concerts

• Lady Gaga, Born This Way Ball, May 21, 2012
• New Kids on the Block Backstreet Boys, NKOTBSB Tour, June 3, 2012
• Planetshakers Manila Tour 2023: Show Me Your Glory Tour, July 22-23, 2023
• Erik Santos, MilEStone: The 20th Anniversary Concert, October 6, 2023
• Maroon 5, Overexposed Tour, September 18, 2012
• Jennifer Lopez, Dance Again World Tour, November 26, 2012
• Aerosmith, The Global Warming Tour, May 8, 2013
• Bruno Mars, The Moonshine Jungle Tour, March 22, 2014
• 2NE1, All or Nothing World Tour, May 17, 2014
• Armin van Buuren, Armin Only “Intense”, May 30, 2014
• Maja Salvador, Maja Unveils, November 13, 2015
• Coldplay, Music of Spheres World Tour, April 12-13, 2023

Religious Events 

The SM Mall of Asia Arena has hosted several religious events over the years. Here are some of the religious events held at the arena based on the search results:

• Victory Christian Fellowship: The arena has played host to several events of various churches, including Victory Christian Fellowship.
• Jesus Global Youth Day: In 2019, the Jesus Global Youth Day was held at the arena.
• Planetshakers Concert: Planetshakers performed their first concert in the Philippines since January 2020 at the arena in September 2022.
• Ang Dating Daan: As part of its 36th broadcast anniversary, Ang Dating Daan held a Special Worldwide Bible Exposition on December 9, 2016

Upcoming Events

Here are some of the upcoming events at the Mall of Asia Arena (MOA Arena) in the Philippines:

• October 21, 2023: Sam Smith: GLORIA the Tour
• November 11, 2023: LEE JUNHO 1st Fanmeeting Tour <JUNHO THE MOMENT 2023>
• November 25, 2023: Regine Velasquez: Rocks
• November 27, 2023: Daryl Hall and John Oates
• December 2, 2023: Eraserheads reunion concert

Future of Arena

The future of Mall of Asia Arena (MOA Arena) is bright. The arena is one of the most popular venues in the Philippines, and it is constantly being upgraded and improved.

Here are some of the things that we can expect to see in the future of MOA Arena:

• More world-class events: MOA Arena is already a popular venue for world-class concerts and sporting events. In the future, we can expect to see even more major events held at the arena.
• Improved facilities: Improvements are constantly being made to MOA Arena. In the future, we can expect to see even better facilities, such as more comfortable seating, better food and beverage options, and faster Wi-Fi.
• More sustainable practices: Moving arenas to be more sustainable is a priority for MOA Arena. In the future, we can expect to see the arena use more renewable energy, recycle more materials, and reduce its waste production.

Some specific examples of MOA Arena’s future are as follows:

• Virtual reality experiences: MOA Arena could offer virtual reality experiences to fans. For example, fans could use virtual reality to watch a concert from the front row or to experience the thrill of playing on the court with their favorite basketball team.
• Augmented reality: For a better fan experience at MOA Arena, augmented reality could be used. For example, fans could use augmented reality to see their favorite player’s stats on the court or to get directions to their seats.
• Artificial intelligence: Artificial intelligence could enhance the fan experience at MOA Arena. For example, artificial intelligence could be used to recommend food and drinks to fans or to help them find their way around the arena.

We can expect MOA Arena to continue pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the future.