Philippine Arena
Philippine Arena 3D design
Location	Bocaue, Bulacan, Philippines
Coordinates	14°47′46.0″N 120°57′16.8″E
Owner	Iglesia Ni Cristo
Construction cost	US$213 million
Architect	Populous

Philippine Arena is an indoor arena being constructed in Ciudad de Victoria, Bocaue, Bulacan, Philippines. It is a project of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church of Christ) as part of its 100th year of re-establishment in the Philippines on July 27, 2014. It is expected to have a seating capacity of 50,000, twice bigger than the biggest existing seating dome, 35,000 more than the Smart Araneta Coliseum ^[1] and 30,000 more than the Mall of Asia Arena. Upon its completion, it will become the largest domed arena in the world. Groundbreaking ceremony was held on August 17, 2011.

Structure and cost

Interior design of Philippine Arena

Philippine Arena at night

Philippine Arena during daytime

The arena will be built on 75,000 square metres (810,000 sq ft) of land and will have a dome of 36,000 square metres (390,000 sq ft). The roof will span some 160 metres (520 ft) (about one and a half soccer pitches) and will contain 9,000 tons of steel work which will come from Korea. It will be assembled at the site and will be erected up to its final position 60 metres (200 ft) up or about fifteen stories high.

The building will be safely founded on pile construction. For earthquake loads, about a third of the dead load of the building will be designed. It will be fully air-conditioned. The average temperature will be 25°C.

The stage will be built at one end of the building, unlike other indoor arenas where the stage or floor is located at the middle of the building. That is because it functions primarily as an auditorium, but the floor area will be big enough to cater for tennis, basketball, and gymnastics.

It will be built simultaneously with the 330-bed-capacity Eraño G. Manalo Medical Center, New Era University Sports Complex and Stadium, and New Era University - Bocaue Campus.

The Philippine Arena alone is estimated to cost US$214 million or Php 9.4 billion.^[2][3]

The arena, together with its surrounding structures, will be completed in 30 months, just in time for the church’s centennial anniversary in 2014.^[4][5].^[6]

Designers/Contractors

Architectural design proofs were provided by Populous, an architectural design firm based in Kansas City, Missouri, United States, whose works include the O2 Arena, Wembley Stadium, and Yankee Stadium, and Buro Happold of United Kingdom, who designed the Arsenal Emirates Stadium, Aviva Stadium, Louvre Abu Dhabi, and the Royal Shakespeare Theatre(UK) to name a few. Construction of the arena was awarded to Hanwha Engineering and Construction Corporation of Korea. Previous projects of the company included Ansan Sports Complex, Suwon Complex, and Seoul Central Post all situated in Korea.

Uses

The arena is designed as an auditorium. It will hold major church gatherings. It will also operate as a multi-use sports and concert venue, capable of holding a range of events, from boxing and basketball, to live music performances.

According to INC Executive Minister, Bro. Eduardo V. Manalo, the Philippine Arena can be used not only by the Church but by the public in general whether for local or international events. It can also host a number of regional sporting events such as SEA Games and Asian Games since the New Era University Sports Complex is also being constructed nearby.