Meraas’ Dubai Arena on track to open in 2019

Meraas has announced that Dubai Arena, its latest entertainment venue located at City Walk is on track to open in 2019. Once finished, this will be MENA region’s largest all-purpose, air-conditioned indoor arena.

According to Meraas, the “active-lit” panelled façade structure for Dubai Arena has been fully installed, while work is underway on external infrastructure, landscaping, paving and parking spaces. The arena will be able to accommodate 17,000 visitors all year round and be able to host end-stage, central and half-stage concerts, sporting events such as tennis, basketball, boxing, volleyball and ice hockey, and gala dinners, exhibitions and conferences, and festivals.

Abdulla Al Habbai, group chairman at Meraas, said: “Every city is known for something – but few, if any, can compare to Dubai when it comes to leisure and entertainment experiences. Dubai Arena has been designed to enhance the city’s reputation as a destination for world-class events and hospitality and will transform the industry throughout the Middle East.”

The company stated that the roof, façade steel structure and over 80% of the roof catwalks are completed. In addition, all concrete, structural and the block works have been finished and the installation of arena seating is under way. The arena’s rigging equipment, scoreboards, lighting and sound system will start to be fitted from next month.

Lifts and escalators have also been installed and the remaining electrical and mechanical works are progressing as per schedule. District cooling service provider, Empower, is due to commence tunnelling works under Sheikh Zayed Road to connect 3,600 tonnes of chilled water to the arena, and DEWA has already connected power to the building, reported the company.