Smart Araneta Coliseum, nicknamed the “Big Dome”, is the centrepiece and crème de la crème of Araneta City – it’s what gave us the title of City of Firsts.
Opened in 1960, it’s one of the largest indoor arenas in Asia, and has one of the biggest clear-span domes in the world. Among the many firsts it has hosted are famed international beauty pageants, basketball games, circuses and big-name concerts from Johnny Mathis to Taylor Swift. Its most legendary night was the heavyweight world title boxing match between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier, the legendary “Thrilla in Manila”, in October 1975.
Nowadays, you can experience top-flight basketball games, concerts and live shows, beauty pageants, religious gatherings and more at the modernised, state-of-the-art arena. And it’s all just steps from ibis Styles Manila Araneta City.
