SM Supermalls on Tuesday said the upcoming SM Seaside Cebu Arena is expected to transform the entertainment landscape in the Visayas while boosting tourism, business, and economic activity across the region.

Located within the South Coast City development along the South Road Properties, the arena will be directly connected to SM Seaside City Cebu through a dedicated bridgeway, allowing visitors seamless access between the mall and the venue.

SM Supermalls President Steven Tan said the project reflects the company's commitment to creating destinations that serve as hubs for business, entertainment, and community engagement.

"Cebu has always been a place of immense potential, and our goal has been to create destinations that grow with the communities around them. Beyond providing spaces for retail and entertainment, we want to build platforms where people can connect, businesses can thrive, and new opportunities can emerge," Tan said.

The company said the arena builds on SM's experience in developing large-scale entertainment venues in Metro Manila and aims to bring more international concerts, sporting events, and live entertainment to the Visayas.

Beyond hosting major events, SM said the project is expected to benefit hotels, restaurants, transportation providers, retailers, entrepreneurs, and other local businesses by attracting more visitors to Cebu.

The arena also complements SM's existing Cebu developments, including SM City Cebu, SM Seaside City Cebu, and SM J Mall, which the company said have helped strengthen the province's position as a center for tourism, commerce, and culture.

According to SM, the project is expected to generate jobs, attract investments, and support the long-term economic development goals of Cebu and the wider Visayas region.