Monday, Nov 07, 2016

Dubai: Meraas has announced a 20,000-seater indoor events stadium, the Dubai Arena, to be completed at City Walk by the end of 2018.

The Dubai-based holding company says the multipurpose arena, which will cover half-a-million square feet, is intended as the “go to” venue for large international concerts, sporting events, touring productions and other entertainment events. It declined to give a cost for the project.

The arena will be air-conditioned throughout and feature automatically changeable seating allowing it to adjust to the scale of an event.

It will be managed by AEG Ogden, an international venue management company wholly owned by Anschutz Company, which is involved in London’s O2 arena, Los Angeles’ Staples Centre, Shanghai’s Mercedes Benz Arena and Quodos Bank Arena in Australia.

Meraas group chairman Abdullah Al Habbai, said in a statement: “The new destination will enrich Dubai’s existing infrastructure and will add a new state-of-the-art 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.”

AEG Ogen chairman and CEO Harvey Lister added that his firm was “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 and AEG Ogden will use its worldwide network and contacts to secure leading international artists and shows for the venue.”

The project management contract for the arena has been awarded to DXB Entertainment PJSC, who will be responsible for its design and construction.

CEO Raed Kajoor Al Nuaimi said, “Dubai Arena is a significant project that will impact the live entertainment industry in the region and will add a new experience to what Dubai will have to offer its residents and visitors.

“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. Our appointment to manage a project of this scale is proof of the success we have achieved in delivering Dubai Parks and Resorts which commenced its opening on October 31. We are excited to work closely with Meraas to deliver yet another first to the industry.”

Professional services firm PwC says Dubai’s leisure and entertainment sector is set to double by 2021, when it expects 45 million visitors, and says there has been increasing demand for family entertainment and multicultural attractions.

Staff Report

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