SM Prime Venue Traffic Rises 52% Through August on Strong Events Calendar
Key Takeaways
- •SM Prime's three flagship venues drew more than one million visitors from January to August 2026, a 52% from about 710,000 in the same period last year.
- •The July opening of the SM Seaside Cebu Arena, which debuted with sold-out concerts by BINI and IV of Spades, helped drive the attendance growth.
- •The SM Mall of Asia Arena hosted more than 110 shows over the eight-month span, an average of nearly 14 shows a month and as much as 20% higher than a year earlier.
- •SM Prime's announced event pipeline stretches into 2027, including Westlife, The Script, Maroon 5, and a BIGBANG show at the SMDC Festival Grounds, plus the FIBA Women's Asia Cup in Cebu.
- •Shares of SM Prime closed 4.29% higher at P16.54 apiece on Monday following the announcement.
SM Prime Holdings, Inc. reported that visitor traffic across its major live entertainment venues rose in the first eight months of 2026, driven by a calendar of concerts, sporting events, and family shows.
The company said its flagship venues — the SM Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena, the SM Seaside Cebu Arena, and the SMDC Festival Grounds — drew more than one million visitors from January to August, a 52% increase from roughly 710,000 in the same period last year. The figures were disclosed in a company statement issued on Monday.
SM Prime attributed part of the growth to the July opening of the SM Seaside Cebu Arena, the newest of the group's three flagship venues, which debuted with sold-out concerts by BINI and IV of Spades, according to the company.
Meanwhile, the SM MOA Arena hosted more than 110 shows over the eight-month span — an average pace of nearly 14 shows a month — which SM Prime said was as much as 20% higher than a year earlier.
Management framed the venue gains within the group's wider property business, where event-driven foot traffic feeds the dining, retail, and entertainment offerings surrounding its arenas.
"Our venues provide Filipino audiences with a complete experience before, during and after a live event," SM Prime President Jeffrey C. Lim said. "With dining, retail, entertainment and other amenities within easy reach, we are able to extend the experience beyond the event itself while creating more value across our properties," he added.
Looking ahead, SM Prime said the SM MOA Arena's scheduled lineup includes performances by Regine Velasquez, Silent Sanctuary, 5 Seconds of Summer, Jason Mraz, Wave to Earth, and LE SSERAFIM, along with 34 showings of Disney On Ice presents Let's Dance!
The SM Seaside Cebu Arena is set to host Bida Sa Arena, Premier Volleyball League and Spikers' Turf matches, East Asia Super League games, a LANY concert, and 14 performances of Disney On Ice presents Let's Dance!
For 2027, SM Prime-managed venues have announced events including Westlife's anniversary tour, a three-show run by The Script, Maroon 5's Asia 2027 tour, and a BIGBANG show at the SMDC Festival Grounds in Manila. Cebu is also scheduled to host the FIBA Women's Asia Cup, giving the venue business an announced pipeline that stretches into next year.
Shares of SM Prime closed 4.29% higher at P16.54 apiece on Monday. — Alexandria Grace C. Magno
