Located in Meraas’s popular lifestyle destination City Walk, Dubai Arena has been shaping up to be the region’s largest all-purpose, air-conditioned indoor arena when it opens in 2019.
Finishing touches are being applied to the first of 46 hospitality suites that will be part of the project, all concrete, structural and block works have been finished and the installation of arena seating is underway, while electrical and mechanical works are progressing on schedule.
Designed to be able to accommodate up to 17,000 visitors, Dubai Arena’s unique automated seating design will enable it to host end-stage, central and half-stage concerts, sporting events and gala dinners, exhibitions and conferences and festivals.
Day-to-day operations of Dubai Arena are to be managed by international venue management company AEG Ogden, the name behind The O2 in London, STAPLES Centre in Los Angeles, the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Shanghai and Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney.
Abdulla Al Habbai, group chairman at Meraas, said: “Every city is known for something – but few, if any, can compare to Dubai when it comes to leisure and entertainment experiences. Dubai Arena has been designed to enhance the city’s reputation as a destination for world-class events and hospitality and will transform the industry throughout the Middle East.
“We are confident that Dubai Arena will position the city on the international entertainment touring circuit and the audiences will have the opportunity to witness the world’s most talented performers and sporting events in the heart of Dubai. Dubai Arena will also ensure Meraas and its partners are in a strong position to be able to continue setting new benchmarks in leisure and entertainment regionally, while contributing to the emirate’s continued development as a major tourism destination and boosting the city’s appeal as a place to live, work and visit among residents and tourists.”