The Araneta Coliseum is the largest indoor facility in Southeast Asia, with a dome diameter of 108 meters. It is located in Quezon City, Philippines. Nicknamed "The Big Dome", it hosts sporting and entertainment events in the country.
History
In 1952, J. Amado Araneta, a business tycoon, purchased a 35-hectare Cubao property that is now the Araneta Center from Radio Corporation of America (RCA). The property which includes the Araneta family home is bounded by Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue, Aurora Boulevard, P. Tuazon and 15th Avenue. It is the centerpiece of the Araneta Center, offering a one-stop shopping, dining and entertainment experience.
The Araneta family was once the wealthiest family in Asia. The family is very small and is not extended, it is also well known to be "Asian royalty". Construction of the Araneta Coliseum was started in 1957 and finished in late 1959. In 1960 to 1963, the Coliseum received international recognition as the "Biggest covered coliseum in the world". Even today, it still remains as one of the largest clear span dome in the world and the largest indoor facility in Southeast Asia with a dome diameter of 108 meters. It occupies a total land area of almost 40,000 square metres and has a floor area or 2,300 square metres.
The coliseum opened on March 16, 1960, with Gabriel "Flash" Elorde boxing for the World Junior Lightweight crown from American Harold Gomes. More than 33,000 spectators watched the contest. General admission then was 80 centavos and reserve section was five pesos.
Throughout the years, the Araneta Coliseum management adheres to the commitment of J. Amado Araneta to provide the Filipino people with the best entertainment at the lowest admission possible. Some of the most remembered performances were the "Thrilla in Manila" which was the Ali-Frazier World Heavyweight Championship Fight, the Philippine Basketball Association Games, R2K Concert by Regine Velasquez and annually, the Binibining Pilipinas Beauty Pageant.
In 1999, the coliseum underwent its first major renovation at a cost of P200 million. [1]
Notable events at the Araneta Coliseum
Sports events
- PBA: elimination round (selected games), Playoffs (selected games), PBA Finals
- UAAP Basketball: Opening Ceremonies, Regular Season (selected games), Cheerdance Competition, Final Four and UAAP Finals
- NCAA Basketball: Opening Ceremonies, Cheerdance Competition, NCAA Finals
- Thrilla in Manila
- Mano a Mano: Pacquiao vs Larios
- World Slasher Cup (cockfighting)
Entertainment events
- World Wrestling Entertainment/WWE's First Philippine visit: Featuring then WWE/WWF Champion Bret "The Hitman" Hart, The Undertaker and Owen Hart
- World Wrestling Entertainment/WWE's Second Philippine visit: Featuring "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels, The Undertaker and "All-American" Lex Luger
- The Gift, Piolo Pascual First Time In Concert (2004)
- Star Circle Kid Quest & Teen Quest: Grand Questor's Night (2004)
- StarStruck: The Final Judgment (2004 and 2005)
- Pinoy Pop Superstar: The Grand Showdown (2004, 2005 & 2007)
- Disney On Ice
- Binibining Pilipinas (Annually)
- WWE RAW Live Tour: Manila (Feb.24-25,2006) Featuring WWE Champion John Cena, "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair, Triple H and Former WWE Women's Champion Trish Stratus
- WWE SMACKDOWN! Survivor Series Tour: Manila (Oct.21-22,2006) Featuring Fil-Greek "The Animal" Batista, Former World Heavyweight Champions King Booker, Chris Benoit and The Undertaker
- Bituing Walang Ningning Grand Showdown (September 19, 2006)
- Philippine Idol Finale: The Big 3 at the Big Dome (December 9 and 10, 2006)
- Pinoy Dream Academy: Grand Dream Night (December 16, 2006)
- Philippine Idol (Season 1) Final 12 in Concert (March 23, 2007)
- Pinoy Big Brother Season 2: The Big Night at the Big Dome (June 30, 2007)