LOOK: Inside the Newly-Opened SM Seaside Cebu Arena

(SPOT.ph) Concerts, sporting events, and shows are always a great idea, especially for folks who live in Manila just waiting for their favorite artists and teams to crush it on stage and on the court. For the longest time, SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay has been one of the default venues for major events, leaving out those from the country's other regions, or forcing them to travel all the way to Luzon just to attend. We've got a long way to go, but a big step has just been made to make entertainment more accessible across the country. SM Prime just launched the SM Seaside Cebu Arena, their newest entertainment and sporting venue in the Queen City of the South.

At first glance, SM Seaside Cebu Arena looks just like its sister, the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay. This is no coincidence—its exterior is defined by wave-shaped glass windows and touches of silver and blue, echoing its counterpart in Manila.

“This arena is part of our long-term vision of Cebu. By creating a world-class platform for entertainment and large-scale gatherings within SRP (South Road Properties), we give local and foreign tourists another reason to visit and stay longer,” said Jeffrey C. Lim, SM Prime president. “More importantly, this investment will generate economic opportunities for local entrepreneurs and nearby communities.”

Designed by award-winning global architecture firm Arquitectonica, the P7 billion arena spans more than seven hectares of gross floor area and can accommodate anywhere from 17,000 to up to 25,000 guests depending on the configuration.

“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 added.

Members of the P-Pop girl group BINI are set to be the maiden performers in the Cebu arena on July 11. The Cebu stop of their Signals Tour is also sold out, making them the first artsts to sell out the arena. Other upcoming shows in the venue include IV of Spades, TJ Monterde and KZ Tandingan, Hillsong Worship, and LANY. Gretchen Ho, who hosted SM Seaside Cebu Arena's trade launch, also teased upcoming international sporting events all the way until 2027.

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Let's talk seats and everyting else in between. The numbers will say the SM Seaside Cebu Arena—which we'll call SM SCA moving forward because if the SM Mall of Asia Arena has a nickname, it only feels right for the Cebu one to have a nickname, too—is, on paper, bigger in terms of floor space and capacity, but audiences and fans rely more on feel once they enter a venue. We got the chance to explore the venue to see how it looks and feels ahead of a show, and of course, we're sharing snaps and insights with you.

Here's everything you need to know about navigating the seven-storey arena.

In terms of numbers, the base seating capacity of SM SCA is 17,000, which is 2,000 more than SM MOA Arena's base of 15,000. For maximum, SM SCA can accommodate crowds of up 25,000, while its Manila counterpart can cover 20,000 people. The floor space in The Bowl does feel bigger compared to the MOA Arena, but this could change depending on how artists and promoters modify the venue to accommodate certain executions, performances, and sport requirements. You'll be happy to know that the fully air-conditioned arena is a great break from the hot weather outside.

When it comes to seating, weaving through the SM SCA feels more like fun trek to look for assigned seats and less of deathwalk to a chair. Veteran concert and game attendees know just how dizzying and cramped the upper seats can get, but the SM SCA gets rid of that feeling. While high and farther from the main stage, It isn't too steep and there's enough clearance between rows to navigate safely. One misstep doesn't feel like you'll hurtle away in a dangerous descent. The chairs—all in blue—feel sturdy with enough space underneath for bags and other belongings. Did we mention the chairs have cupholders?

Even the steps and stairs feel realistic. The adjective might not make sense to those used to the pits or those who haven't watched shows aplenty, but this small detail makes the world of a difference. Some venues have unreasonably tall steps or hundreds of tiny ones that trip you on your feet, but it seems the SM SCA took this into account. Sure, the journey up can still get tiring, but audiences won't feel like they're in an obstacle course. There are also railings and anti-slip tape on the edges of steps so people are safe climbing up and down even when the lights are dim mid-show.

The arena is home to Cebu’s largest and most advanced center-hung display, which was designed to deliver crystal-clear visuals, immersive sound, and real-time data integration for sports, concerts, electronic dance music, family entertainment, corporate shows, circus productions, and motorsports events.

Apart from the four-screen display, there's also two LED screen belts around the arena, which can be used to display visuals, scores, ads, and more for the complete experience.

Hot take: Any seat in the house can become the best seat, especially if it's for an in-demand game or a popular artist that sells out venues in seconds. Of course, those seated in the front get better views, but now even those at the nosebleeds can enjoy a show in its entirety, from roaring crowds and thrilling lightwork, to grand production, impactful visuals, and immersive sound. We climbed up to the very top of the arena to see what it would be like to sit on the very last row of the venue.

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As it stands, SM Seaside Cebu Arena will be the largest facility of its kind in the Visayas for fans and audiences. Apart from its status as an entertainment hub, it also offers premium experiences through its Premiere Suites.

A total of 30 luxury Premier Suites are situated right above the VIP sections, with each suite equipped to accommodate anywhere from 13 up to 31 guests. The suites are furbished with upscale seating for maximum comfort, queue-free private restrooms, and unobstructed views of the event floor for an enjoyable watching experience.

Watching from a suite goes beyond catching a good show hassle-free; it’s also about creating an elevated experience before, during, and after a show. Suite holders and their guests have access to dedicated VIP lounges, a cafe, and an exclusive entrance.

On the third floor of the arena sits a covered outdoor area, which is also connected to the bridgeway leading to the SM Seaside Cebu mall. The wide expanse has trees, plants, and plenty of space for crowds to gather, meet friends, and wait for the tournament or show to start. It also provides easy access to and from the mall, making it convenient to grab meals and while the time away before and after the main event. Though covered, its sides are open, leaving air to pass through so its cooler, and especially breezy on windy days. Sun and rain are no problem here thanks to the roof.

Parking is a non-negotiable when it comes to watching shows, so there is a dedicated area for cars. As for transportation, traffic, and other logistics on the day of events, representatives from SM Prime said that they are always in constant communication and coordination with the local government's corresponding teams. They're well aware of the issues concert-goers and sports fans encounter in Manila, and are always finding ways to elevate the experience. The surrounding areas are still being developed, so hopefully transport options and more establishments become available.

SM Prime representatives mentioned listening to artists, promoters, and fans before and while making the SM Seaside Cebu Arena come to life. This means understanding the perspectives of performers wanting to give their fans a show they'll keep talking about long after the confetti has been swept, promoters committed to mounting a succesful event showered with glowing reviews, and fans hoping to create memories they'll never forget. The SM Mall of Asia Arena (referred to as MOA by fans and organizers) has been the vessel for such moments for more than a decade, and while it might not always be perfect, SM Prime was dedicated to improving based on feedback and applying best practices to create an arena the Visayas would enjoy for years to come.

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