Dubai’s Coca-Cola Arena becomes a significant venue on the global events circuit

Having opened earlier this year, the 17,000- capacity Coca-Cola Arena has revolutionised the live events industry in Dubai and the Middle East region.

Backed by state-of-the-art sound, lighting and stage technology, the venue is able to accommodate a huge variety of acts, sporting events, functions and conferences of all sizes.

The largest venue of its kind in the region, Coca-Cola Arena is fully enclosed and climate controlled, a key feature that has effectively transformed Dubai from previously being viewed by promoters and exhibitors as a ‘winter-only’ destination into a complete, year-round option for live events for some of the world’s biggest shows and performers.

Developed as part of a collaboration between Dubai-based developer, Meraas - the developer behind some of Dubai’s most popular landmarks and tourist attractions - and Australian-based venue management company AEG Ogden, Coca-Cola Arena officially opened its doors to the public with a performance by Canadian comedian Russell Peters on 6th June before a sell-out show by Maroon 5 on 14th June.

With day-to-day operations handled by AEG Ogden, the venue manager’s Chief Executive of Coca-Cola Arena, Guy Ngata explains “Dubai is already a major entertainment hub for the entire region and the opening of Coca-Cola Arena has helped to further establish the city as the go-to destination for acts visiting the Middle East as part of global tour schedules.

“Meraas has shown a great vision to expand Dubai’s live entertainment offering and in doing so has an asset that will become one of the world’s great live venues.

“AEG Ogden are incredibly proud to operate the venue as we strive forward in cementing Coca-Cola Arena as the home of live entertainment in the region and a must-visit live destination for incoming tourists.

“Together with Coca-Cola and all of our partners and stakeholders, there is a real passion in establishing the venue as the perfect fit for international touring artists, productions, sporting activity and shows of all genres.”

This combination of major regional and international companies means the venue is in a fantastic position to benefit from a wealth of talent across a wide spectrum of specialities while also enjoying huge brand recognition.

The opening show with Russell Peters proved to be the ideal way to introduce Coca-Cola Arena to audiences from across the UAE, the region and beyond who flocked to Dubai to watch Peters perform live and to experience the huge venue for the first time.

A key factor in Coca-Cola Arena’s impressive ability to host a diverse selection of acts and performers is its 3,870 metre² of floor space, huge choice of stage configurations and a multipurpose drape reduction system that can scale the venue as required depending on the event and audience capacity.

Floor space can be extended or reduced via a fully retractable seating system while the top levels can be closed off when not in use, allowing for a swift change of set up from all-seater shows to standing-only events or even in-the-round concerts and performances.

Just a few days after its official opening show, the venue’s capacity, staff and range of management systems and processes were again put to the test when it welcomed Maroon 5 for an epic sold-out live show on Friday 14th June.

Hosting an established international group, complete with extensive road crew and equipment in the middle of a global tour proved to be the perfect examination of how well Coca-Cola Arena functions during major events.

Thanks to its modern design that boasts multiple access and egress points, guests at the sell-out show were able to come and go with ease whilst enjoying all the benefits that its location within City Walk has to offer before and after the show.

Everything from the F&B facilities, located at the multiple points around the main concourses, to the VIP and hospitality suites were thoroughly tested during each opening event while sound and lighting systems functioned perfectly thanks to the sophisticated design of the arena’s roof that allows it to hold up to 190 metric tonnes of equipment.

Ngata added “Coca-Cola Arena is wonderfully equipped with the very best expertise, knowledge and experience providing production teams, crews and performers with first-class technical facilities and support.

“The venue’s state-of-the-art technology enables incoming shows to benefit enormously in setting up productions. The flexibility when it comes to seating and stage configurations means performers and the audience are able to enjoy an unparalleled live experience.

“Despite only being open for a few months, Coca-Cola Arena is already firmly established as one of the city’s biggest attractions. We look forward to hosting even more great live acts and events as we develop and expand the events industry in the UAE to even greater levels of success.”

Usually a quiet time in the UAE, when outside temperatures can reach as high as 50 degrees Celsius, the arena has recently hosted THE 1975, Irish boyband Westlife and American self-help guru Tony Robbins.

Visible from miles around and a new landmark on Dubai’s skyline, Coca-Cola Arena’s exterior façade features 4,600 LED lights that are lit to welcome fans to each event at Dubai’s new home of live entertainment.

Located in City Walk, one of the city’s newest and most popular neighbourhoods, Coca-Cola Arena enjoys excellent transport links, with buses, taxis and the nearby Dubai Metro all serving the venue while comprehensive traffic management systems are in place to ensure the surrounding roads and streets are kept free-flowing.

Images courtesy of Coca-Cola Arena.