Araneta Coliseum

Infobox_Stadium
stadium_name = Araneta Coliseum
nickname = The Big Dome |

location = Araneta Center, Cubao, Quezon City
broke_ground = 1957
opened = March 16, 1960
closed =
demolished =
owner = Progressive Development Corporation
operator = United Promotions, Inc. (Uniprom)
surface =
construction_cost =
architect =
tenants = Philippine Basketball Association (1975-1984, 1995-present)
former_names =
seating_capacity = 25,000 maximum
18,500 Boxing
20,800 CenterStage
20,800 Basketball
15,500 Cockpit
18,000 or 16,500 Concert
10,000 Ice Show

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 property in Cubao 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.

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 domes 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 11th and 34th FAMAS Awards, "Thrilla in Manila" which was the Ali-Frazier World Heavyweight Championship Fight, the Philippine Basketball Association Games, and annually, the Binibining Pilipinas Beauty Pageant.

In 1999, the coliseum underwent its first major renovation at the cost of P200 million. [http://www.aranetacoliseum.com/2006/circle.php]

Last September 30, 2007, an estimated crowd of 23,315 crammed the coliseum to watch the pivotal Game 2 of the basketball semifinals between rivals De La Salle University Green Archers and Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles UAAP Season 70. It is so far the highest recorded basketball game crowd after the renovations. La Salle won the game 65-60 enroute to their championship. The 2008 UAAP Samsung Cheerdance Competition held a record breaking crowd of 23, 448 who rocks the coliseum, UP Pep Squad retained their title. [ [http://www.gmanews.tv/story/62554/UAAP-Archers-stump-Eagles-65-60-to-face-Red-Warriors GMANews.TV - UA
] ]

Notable events at the Araneta Coliseum

ports events

*1978 World Basketball Championship [ [http://www.ateneo.edu/index.php?p=120&type=2&sec=0&aid=3069 Mauricio C. Martelino] ]
*PBA Basketball: elimination round (selected games), Playoffs (selected games), PBA Finals
*Team Pilipinas vs. PBA Imports / "Laban para sa Bayan" (Basketball)
*The 1st PBA DLSU vs. PBA ADMU Showdown (Basketball)
*UAAP Basketball: Opening Ceremonies, Regular Season (selected games), UAAP Cheerdance Competition, Final Four and UAAP Finals
*NCAA Basketball: Opening Ceremonies, NCAA Cheerdance Competition, NCAA Eliminations, NCAA Semi-Finals and NCAA Finals
*Thrilla in Manila (Boxing)
*Mano a Mano: Manny Pacquiao vs Oscar Larios (Boxing)
*World Slasher Cup (Ccockfighting)
*2007 Philippines World Pool Championship
*Payback: Rey "Boom-Boom" Bautista vs. Antonio Meza (Boxing)
*Invasion: Philippines vs. The World (Boxing)

Entertainment events

*Andrea Bocelli: Live in Manila - April 30, 2004
*The 11th FAMAS Awards of the Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences: April 14, 1963
*The 34th FAMAS Awards of the Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences: May 18, 1986
*Regine Velasquez: R2K Concert - 2000
*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
*Disney on Ice : Princess Classics (2004 - 2005), Mickey & Minnie's Amazing Journey (2008)
* (July 11 - 20, 2008)
*Binibining Pilipinas (annually)
*Regine Velasquez: Twenty Concert - October 13 & 14, 2006
*WWE (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! (Oct.21-22,2006) Featuring Fil-Greek "The Animal" Batista, Former World Heavyweight Champions King Booker and The Undertaker
*HILLSONG UNITED: Hillsong United in Manila '08 (May 26, 2008)
*The Best Damn Tour Avril Lavigne live in Manila September 3, 2008

Notes

References

*http://www.aranetacoliseum.com/2006/corporate.php

External links

* [http://www.aranetacoliseum.com Araneta Coliseum official website]
* [http://www.aranetacenter.net Araneta Center official website]
* [http://www.freewebs.com/famas_awards The Unofficial Website of the Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences]

Navbox
name = Araneta Center
title = Araneta Center
group1 = Shopping Centers
list1 = nowrap begin Gateway· Farmers Plaza· Ali Mall· SM Cubao· Value Station· Farmers Market
group2 = Structures in the Center
list2 = Araneta Coliseum · Aurora Tower · Manhattan Garden City Condominiums
group3 = Misc.
list3 = Araneta Center · Pizza Hut · Taco Bell · Binibining Pilipinas