Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC) has revealed plans are in the works for a PHP32bn (£421.5m/€502.4/$549.7m) entertainment complex for the Philippines which would include an arena capable of staging concerts by major artists such as Taylor Swift.
Speaking at the Build Better More Infrastructure Forum in New Clark City, CIAC president and CEO, Arrey Perez, said the entertainment and events centre would be located within “walking distance” of Clark International Airport in Pampanga province.
The planned arena will have a seating capacity of 25,000 to 35,000 and be situated within a wider 40-hectare complex. A Public-Private Partnership is being targeted for the venture, with Perez stating that investment interest has been received from a local group, along with Singapore and US-based entities.
Conceptualisation of the project began back in November, with officials hoping it can be delivered by 2028. “It will take time, if you give us about six to nine months to process any proposal, and if the signing of that contract happens definitely next year and then the construction immediately starts by 2025, then you have two to three years to build this entertainment complex,” Perez said, according to the PNA news agency.
Perez added, according to Philstar.com: “When we host big events, we always see Philippine Arena. So, you have something like a 55,000-seater but the problem is it causes a lot of traffic. Apart from that, Clark also really needs more attractions so that we can attract more passengers, more airlines to the airport.”
The Build Better More Infrastructure Forum presentation addressed how the Philippines needs a ‘Taylor Swift ready’ concert venue. Swift played six sold-out shows at Singapore’s 55,000-seat National Stadium in March, her only visit to the Southeast Asia region during the Eras Tour.
Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong confirmed that his government provided Swift with an incentive to make the city-state her exclusive stop in Southeast Asia, a matter that provoked criticism from other countries.
Augusto Sanchez, chief strategic communications and events officer of CIAC, said: “The design and build plans for the Clark Entertainment Center must attract musical events of world-renowned artists, including the likes of Taylor Swift.”
