The Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan, Philippines, which is the world's largest indoor arena, is primarily used for large-scale concerts, sports events and religious gatherings with a seating capacity of 55,000. The arena is owned by the religious organization Iglesia ni Cristo (INC).
INC Centennial events
The events that took place on the Philippine Arena are a series of activities by the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) as part of their centennial celebration. Date(s)Event(s) DescriptionSpecial Worship Service and OratorioA worship service led by INC Executive Minister Eduardo V. Manalo, along with a large musical composition for orchestra, choir, and soloists.Ang Bayan Mo'y Nagpupuri (Your Nation Praises You)A musical presentation featuring original INC Christian music and the history of the Iglesia ni Cristo.Ang Sugo (The Messenger)A stage play depicting the ministry of Felix Manalo and the history of the Iglesia ni Cristo.Tagisan ng Talino (Battle of Wits)A quiz show which includes Bible and INC history and current events for teens and children categories.Evangelical MissionA Bible exposition for the non-members.INCinema Excellence in Visual Media Awards (EVM Awards)Recognition of the top 20 film entries produced by members worldwide.Kabayan Ko, Kapatid Ko (My Countrymen, My Brethren)An outreach and evangelical mission which provide medical and dental services, groceries, entertainment shows, and bible studies.Songs of Faith, Love and Hope: International Singing CompetitionSolo singing competition featuring original INC Christian music participated by delegates from different parts of the world.Kabayan Ko, Kapatid Ko: Year-End ConcertA pre-new-year concert featuring the accomplishments of the Felix Y. Manalo Foundation and the Iglesia ni Cristo as a whole.Nueva Ecija Ecclesiastical District 85th AnniversaryThe INC ecclesiastical districts of Nueva Ecija Central, East, North, South, and Aurora, which were formerly part of the once lone ecclesiastical district in the province, gathered for a worship service led by Manalo.New Era University (NEU) 40th Commencement ExercisesBaccalaureate service led by Eduardo V. Manalo, NEU graduation from elementary to post-graduate studies across all campuses, and alumni homecoming.International Unity GamesMembers of the Iglesia ni Cristo from all over the globe gathered for the first-ever Unity Games International. Said sporting event marked the end of the centennial year.Centennial Closing CeremonyA worship service led by INC Executive Minister Eduardo V. Manalo, along with a large musical celebration of all INC members from all over the globe.
Sporting events Date(s) Event(s) Attendance Notes2014–15 PBA Philippine Cup opening ceremonies52,612The first commercial and non-INC event held in the Philippine Arena, it was the largest attendance record for an opening ceremony in PBA history. 2016–17 PBA Philippine Cup Eliminations25,000This was the second time that the PBA games was held in the Philippine Arena.2017 PBA Governors' Cup Finals (Game 5)36,445This was the first PBA Finals held in the arena.2017 PBA Governors' Cup Finals (Game 6)53,642 2017 PBA Governors' Cup Finals (Game 7)54,0862017–18 PBA Philippine Cup Eliminations22,531Galaxy Battles Dota 2 e-Sport Tournaments2017–18 PBA Philippine Cup Eliminations2018 FIBA 3x3 World Cup2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup qualification22,181See also: Philippines-Australia basketball brawl2019 PBA Philippine Cup Opening Ceremonies23,7112019 Southeast Asian Games opening ceremony2022–23 PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals (Game 7)54,589The largest attendance record for a PBA game and for a PBA Finals game2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup qualificationThe first FIBA-sanctioned game since the Philippines-Australia basketball brawl2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup opening ceremonies38,115The largest attendance record for a FIBA Basketball World Cup game
Entertainment events Notable entertainment events in the Philippine Arena include numerous concerts.
Date(s)Entertainer(s)Event / TourAttendanceRevenue (US$) Notes Ref(s)Super Junior, Girls' Generation, BtoB, Red VelvetBest of Best in the Philippines20,000—The four South Korean groups were the first artists to perform at the arena.Prismatic World Tour34,683—Katy Perry was the first solo performer to perform at the arena. The Dolls were the opening act.Alliance In Motion Global 9th Anniversary30,050—AIM Global broke the record with 30,050 verified participants wearing smiley face masks during their ninth anniversary celebration at the arena. A Guinness World Records representative announced the success of the record-breaking attempts during the company's anniversary held at the arena.Felix Manalo film premiere43,624—The biographical film about the life of the first Executive Minister of the Iglesia ni Cristo (the organization that owns the arena) holds the Guinness World Record for "Largest Attendance For A Film Screening" and "Largest Attendance For A Film Premiere".AlDub (Alden Richards and Maine Mendoza), EB Dabarkads (Eat Bulaga! hosts)Eat Bulaga!: Sa Tamang Panahon55,000—The Kalyeserye segment from the noontime variety show Eat Bulaga!, held at the arena, marked the first live television event at the arena.Guns N' RosesNot in This Lifetime... Tour24,638 / 30,2202,235,518Guns N' Roses were the first rock musicians to perform at the Philippine Arena.Imelda Papin: Queen@45——Imelda Papin's 45th anniversary concert made her the first Filipino artist to hold a solo concert at the arena. Andrew E., April Boy Regino, Claire dela Fuente, Darius Razon, Eva Eugenio, Jovit Baldivino, Marco Sison, Pilita Corrales, Sonny Parsons with Hagibis, and Victor Wood were special guests.U2The Joshua Tree Tour 201933,7216,895,277U2's first performance in the Philippines.December Avenue, Ben&Ben, Arnel PinedaCloudstaff Roar Year-end Party9,113—Philippine-Australian outsourcing provider Cloudstaff held the first-ever corporate concert at the arena, inviting employees and their families to the event that served as their corporate year-end party.Stell, Zephanie, Janella SalvadorDisney+ A Night of Wonder——A performance by local Filipino singers was recorded at the arena to celebrate the launch of American streaming service Disney+ in the Philippines.SeventeenBe The Sun World Tour39,480 / 39,4805,088,704Seventeen were the first South Korean group to stage a concert at the arena during the COVID-19 pandemic. It was the group's third performance in the country.Love On Tour29,247 / 29,2473,337,289BlackpinkBorn Pink World Tour92,720 / 92,72014,174,292Blackpink were the first South Korean girl group to stage and sell out a multi-night event at the arena.Bruno Mars Live76,252 / 76,25210,377,192Bruno Mars was the first solo performer to sell out two shows at the arena on a single tour.Tomorrow X TogetherAct: Sweet Mirage10,886 / 10,8861,720,917, Bernard Bernardo, Ben&Ben, The Dawn, Alamat2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup opening ceremony38,115— TwiceReady to Be World Tour86,930 / 86,93011,294,323Various Asian personalities8th Asia Artist Awards——The 2023 Asia Artist Awards were hosted by Kang Daniel, Jang Won-young, and Sung Han-bin and was broadcast live on Lazada in the Philippines, Hulu in Japan, and on Weverse elsewhere.ColdplayMusic of the Spheres World Tour96,079 / 96,07915,425,466Coldplay were the first Western group to perform two sold-out shows at the arena on a single tour, thereby setting the first to hold the record for the highest attendance by a musical act at the arena. Jikamarie was the opening act on both dates, while Lola Amour and Dilaw were surprise guests on January 19 and 20 respectively.IUIU HEREH World Tour 37,000—IU was the first South Korean solo performer to stage a concert at the arena.Guts World Tour48,829 / 48,8291,222,691A special "Silver Star" show, wherein all tickets were sold at (US$20)LANYa beautiful blur: the world tour—— Culture Wars was a special guest.Radical Optimism Tour24,986 / 24,9862,434,968Stray KidsDominate World Tour55,000—BiniBiniverse World Tour 202555,000—Bini were the first Filipino group to headline and sell out a solo concert at the arena. Maki was a guest performer.G-DragonÜbermensch World Tour—— SB19Simula at Wakas World Tour55,000—SB19 were the first Filipino act to sell out a concert at the arena in less than seven hours. They were also the first Filipino act to hold and sell out two consecutive shows at the arena.Bini, SB19, G22, Kaia, Flow G, SunKissed Lola, Skusta CleePuregold OPM Con 202530,000—The event, organized by Puregold, features an all-OPM lineup, celebrating contemporary Filipino music with headliners across pop, hip-hop, and indie rock. It marked one of the largest OPM-centric concerts at the arena to date.TwiceThis Is For World Tour ——Jeongyeon was absent due to health issues.BlackpinkDeadline World Tour——BiniBinified: A Year-End Party——F4F Forever City of Stars Tour——LANYSoft by LANY: The World Tour——My Chemical Romance——The show was initially scheduled for April 25, 2026, but was postponed to November 14, 2026, for undisclosed reasons., Bini, UDD, Lola Amour, SunKissed LolaLaLaLa Fest Manila 2027————Anderson .Paak (as DJ Pee .Wee) will serve as a special guest for all dates.Big Ass Stadium Tour Part 2——Don Toliver will serve as the opening act. The show was initially scheduled for September 29, 2026, but was postponed to an unannounced later date for unknown reasons.
Political events
Ahead of the 2022 Philippine elections, the UniTeam alliance of presidential candidate Bongbong Marcos and vice-presidential candidate Sara Duterte held their proclamation rally at the Philippine Arena on February 8, 2022. The event was hosted by Toni Gonzaga. The arena operated at half of its capacity at that time due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Rodante Marcoleta, a candidate in the 2025 senatorial election and a member of the INC, held his miting de avance (final rally) at the Philippine Arena on May 6, 2025. An estimated 55,000 to 60,000 people attended Marcoleta's event.
Yearly events Date(s) Event(s) Organizers AttendanceSummer Blast x CFO DayIglesia ni Cristo, Maligaya Development Corporation, Net 25120,000 (May 13, 2023)New Year Countdown
See also List of entertainment events at the SM Mall of Asia complex
References