Dubai to build largest indoor arena in region to seat 20,000

Work has begun on Dubai Arena, spanning an area of 500,000 sq ft near the vast City Walk retail development.

The 500,000 sq ft arena is expected to be completed by the end of 2018. Courtesy Meraas

DUBAI // A multipurpose indoor arena with a capacity of around 20,000 people is to be built in the heart of the city.

Work has begun on Dubai Arena, which will cover an area of around 46,000 square metres (500,000 sq ft) near the vast City Walk retail development. It is expected to be completed by the end of 2018.

The air-conditioned stadium, being built by developer Meraas, is described as “the future ‘go-to’ venue for all international music concerts as well as other sporting and entertainment events”.

Abdulla Al Habbai, group chairman of Meraas, said: “The new destination will enrich Dubai’s existing infrastructure and will add a … venue that will accommodate international events and will raise Dubai’s credentials as a premium leisure and entertainment hub.

“Dubai Arena will host famous and world-renowned athletes, artists and performers and attract tourists to Dubai all year round. It will also host large global events and performances that have not visited the region as yet, due to the lack of a suitable platform for holding similar events.”

The venue will be managed by AEG Ogden, part of Anschutz Entertainment Group, which owns or is affiliated with other entertainment venues such as The O2 in London, the Staples Centre in Los Angeles, the Mercedes Benz Arena in Shanghai and Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney.

Chairman and chief executive of AEG Ogden, Harvey Lister, said: “AEG Ogden is excited to be working with Meraas to deliver an innovative world-class arena that will put Dubai on the international entertainment touring circuit and make a major contribution to the emirate’s continued development as a major tourism destination.

“Dubai is strategically positioned to capitalise on acts undertaking tours of Europe and Australia.”

“What makes Dubai Arena stand apart from its counterparts is its remarkable size, capacity, and ability to be transformed from a theatre to a stadium depending on the scale of the event,” said Raed Al Nuaimi, chief executive of DXB Entertainments PJSC, which has been contracted to design and construct the facility.

The company recently delivered Dubai Parks and Resort, which will be home to three major theme parks- Bollywood Parks, Motiongate, and Legoland — by the end of the year.