Araneta Coliseum

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Araneta Coliseum
The Big Dome

Location	Araneta Center, Cubao, Quezon City
Broke ground	1957
Opened	March 16, 1960
Owner	Progressive Development Corporation
Operator	United Promotions, Inc. (Uniprom)
Tenants	Philippine Basketball Association (1975-1984, 1995-present)
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.

1 History
2 Notable events at the Araneta Coliseum
- 2.1 Sports events
- 2.2 Entertainment events
3 Notes
4 References
5 External links

[edit] 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 "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 a cost of P200 million. [1]

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.^[1]

[edit] Notable events at the Araneta Coliseum

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[edit] Sports events

1978 World Basketball championship^[2]

Purefoods vs. Red Bull during the 2006 PBA Finals at the Big Dome.

PBA: elimination round (selected games), Playoffs (selected games), PBA Finals
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
Mano a Mano: Pacquiao vs Larios
World Slasher Cup (cockfighting)
2007 Philippines World Pool Championship
Payback:Rey"Boom-Boom" Bautista vs Antonio Meza
Invasion:Philippines vs The World