Philippine Arena is an indoor arena being constructed in Ciudad de Victoria, Bocaue, Bulacan

Bocaue, Bulacan

Bocaue is a first-class urban municipality in the province of Bulacan, Philippines. The municipality of Bocaue lies 24.5 kilometers northeast of Manila through the Gen. Douglas MacArthur Highway and is located at the mid-southwestern portion of Bulacan...

, Philippines. It is a project of the Iglesia Ni Cristo

Iglesia ni Cristo

Iglesia ni Cristo also known as INC, is the largest entirely indigenous Christian religious organization that originated from the Philippines and the largest independent church in Asia. Due to a number of similarities, some Protestant writers describe the INC's doctrines as restorationist in...

 (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, and 35,000 more than the Smart Araneta Coliseum  Upon its completion, it will become the largest domed arena in the world. Groundbreaking ceremony was held on August 17, 2011.

Structure and Cost

The arena will be built on 75,000 square meters of land and will have a dome of 36,000 square meters.

The roof will span some hundred and sixty (160) meters (about one and a half of 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 meters up or about fifteen stories high.

The building will be safely founded on pile construction. For earthquake loads, about a third of the deadload of the building will be designed. It will be fully air-conditioned. The average temperature will be 25 degree centigrade which is world-class standard for comfort.
The stage will be built at one end of the building, unlike other indoor arenas where their stage or floor is located at the middle of the building. That’s 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

New Era University

New Era University is a private, non-sectarian educational institution established by Iglesia Ni Cristo. It is located along Central Avenue, New Era, Quezon City.-History:...

 Sports Complex and Stadium, and New Era University

New Era University

New Era University is a private, non-sectarian educational institution established by Iglesia Ni Cristo. It is located along Central Avenue, New Era, Quezon City.-History:...

- Bocaue Campus.

The Philippine Arena alone is estimated to cost US$213 million or Php9.4 billion.

The arena, together with its surrounding structures, will be completed in 30 months, just in time for the Church’s Centennial Anniversary in 2014..

Designers/Contractors

Architectural design proofs were provided by Populous, an architectural design firm based in Australia, whose works include the O2 Arena, Wembley Stadium and Yankee Stadium, and Buro Happold of United Kingdom, who designed the Arsenal Emirates Arena, 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.