Have you ever flown overseas just to see your favorite artist perform live? According to the Filipino online news website Rappler, concert tourism is the new travel trend, with thousands of fans flying to countries where some of music’s biggest stars are performing.
From traveling far and wide to watch Taylor Swift’s “The Eras Tour” and some of K-Pop’s hottest acts, fans are ready to spend on airfare and hotel accommodations just to experience these performances. Given the expected volume of people trooping to the venues, it’s a must for countries to have big arenas and stadiums that can accommodate fans and, sometimes, elaborate stages and productions.
In Asia, there are several arenas and stadiums ideal for epic concerts and performances. From Hong Kong’s AsiaWorld-Arena to Bangkok’s Rajamangala National Stadium, these iconic venues are the best places to experience unforgettable performances.
If you’re a frequent concertgoer, make sure you add the arenas and stadiums below to your concert attendance bucket list:
Hong Kong: AsiaWorld-Arena
Capacity: 12,500 (Seated), 14,000 (with Standing)
Hong Kong’s largest indoor seated performance venue, AsiaWorld-Arena is a multifunctional entertainment venue where various local, regional, and international artists have performed. Some of the famous acts that have played at the venue include Korean girl group 2NE1, One Direction, Madonna, and Ariana Grande. Artists scheduled to perform at AsiaWorld-Arena this year include K-pop acts IVE, ITZY, and aespa; LANY; and American singer-songwriter Olivia Rodrigo for her GUTS World Tour.
Location: Level 1, AsiaWorld-Expo, Chek Lap Kok, Lantau Island, Hong Kong
Singapore: Singapore Indoor Stadium
Capacity: 12,000 to 15,000
This multipurpose pillarless sports and entertainment facility has hosted a variety of events including the concerts of Ed Sheeran, Britney Spears, IU, and Andy Lau, among others. Known for its flexible configuration, the venue can accommodate from 4,000 to 12,000 people. Some of the artists scheduled to perform at the Indoor Stadium until late this year are Dua Lipa, Cigarettes After Sex, Super Junior, and Olivia Rodrigo.
Location: 2 Stadium Walk, Singapore
Singapore: National Stadium
Capacity: 55,000
Taking pride as the Lion City’s centerpiece for sporting, entertainment, lifestyle, and national events, the National Stadium is famous for having the world’s largest free-spanning dome, a retractable roof, and comfort cooling technology. It recently hosted Coldplay’s “Music of the Spheres” tour and Taylor Swift’s “The Eras Tour.” The King of Mandopo Jay Chou is set to bring his Carnival World Tour to the National Stadium in October.
Location: 1 Stadium Drive, Singapore
Manila: SM Mall of Asia Arena
Capacity: 15,000 to 20,000
The preferred concert venue of fans because of its location, SM Mall of Asia Arena (more popularly known as MoA Arena), is a world-class facility that also hosts sporting events such as basketball and volleyball tournaments, the most recent of which is the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup. Some of the musical acts that have performed in the venue include Lady Gaga, Madona, and K-Pop groups Big Bang and Twice, among others. Laufey, NCT Dream, ITZY, and IVE are scheduled to bring their respective tours to MoA Arena this year.
Location: MOA Complex, Jose W. Diokno Boulevard cor. Coral Way and Marina Way, Bay City, Pasay, Metro Manila
Manila: Philippine Arena
Capacity: 55,000
Located outside Manila, the Philippine Arena is the world’s largest indoor arena and has become the preferred venue for concert organizers bringing international acts to the Philippines. Multi-awarded artists like Harry Styles, Bruno Mars, SEVENTEEN, and IU have performed sold-out shows at the venue recently. Pop band LANY and Grammy winner Dua Lipa are set to perform shows at the Philippine Arena later this year.
Location: Ciudad de Victoria, Bocaue, Bulacan, Philippines
Kuala Lumpur: Axiata Arena
Capacity: 16,000
One of Malaysia’s premier indoor venues for concerts, tournaments, and expos, Axiata Arena has 13,000 permanent seats and 3,000 retractable ones, making it ideal for any event. It has hosted notable concerts in recent years, including shows by One Ok Rock, Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift, and Jacky Cheung. This year, LANY is set to bring their “a beautiful blur” tour to the venue in September, followed by Dua Lipa’s “Radical Optimism” tour in November.
Location: L2-E-10, Enterprise 4, Technology Park Malaysia, Lebuhraya Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur: Bukit Jalil National Stadium
Capacity: 85,000 to 87,411
Given its capacity, the Bukit Jalil National Stadium is noted as the largest stadium in Southeast Asia and the fourth largest in Asia. Aside from hosting football matches, it was also the venue for some of the biggest concerts in the last two years including Billie Eilish’s “Happier Than Ever” tour, Blackpink’s “BORN PINK,” and Ed Sheeran’s “Mathematics” tour.
Location: Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur
Bangkok: IMPACT Arena
Capacity: 11,000
A prominent venue in Bangkok, IMPACT Arena has hosted notable events in the past including sports competitions, concerts, and trade shows, among others. K-Pop supergroup BTS staged their “Wings Tour” in the venue in 2017 while Ed Sheeran brought his “Divide” tour the same year. Some of the artists performing at IMPACT Arena this year include Korean acts Kim Soo Hyun and Baekhyun.
Location: Popular 3 Road, Ban Mai, Nonthaburi
Bangkok: Rajamangala National Stadium
Capacity: 51,552
The national stadium of Thailand’s national football team, Rajamangala National Stadium features an open-air setting and top-notch sound systems that add to the overall experience of concertgoers. It has hosted internationally renowned artists such as Coldplay, Bruno Mars, and Harry Styles, drawing fans from around the world.
Location: Hua Mak, Bang Kapi, Bangkok
Macau: Cotai Arena
Capacity: 15,000
An indoor arena located within the premises of The Venetian Macao, it hosts sporting events like boxing and basketball, as well as concerts and awards shows. Some of the notable events that took place in the venue include Lady Gaga’s “The Fame Ball” tour, Celine Dion Live 2018, and Beyonce’s “The Beyonce Experience.” Upcoming events at Cotai Arena this year are the “Chun Long” Symphony Concert of Lo Tayou and the “70 Years Back in Time – Rachmaninoff” of the Sands China Performing Arts Program.
Location: Estrada da Baia de Nossa Senhora da Esperanca, Macau
Japan: Tokyo Dome
Capacity: 42,000 to 55,000
Designed as a baseball stadium, the Tokyo Dome is an indoor stadium that has hosted international baseball tournaments, Major League Baseball games, and concerts. King of Pop Michael Jackson performed in the venue thrice for his “Bad,” “Dangerous,” and “HIStory” world tours. Other artists who have graced the venue include Madonna, Beyonce, and Taylor Swift, among others. K-Pop girl group NewJeans and musical artist Tolka Butcher are scheduled to perform at Tokyo Dome this year.
Location: 1 Chome-3-61 Koraku, Bunkyo City, Tokyo
South Korea: Seoul Olympic Stadium
Capacity: 69,950
Also known as Jamsil Olympic Stadium, Seoul Olympic Stadium is the largest stadium in South Korea, built for the 1988 Summer Olympics. In addition to hosting sporting events and auto racing, it has welcomed concerts by Michael Jackson, Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, and BTS, among others. While there are no concerts currently scheduled at Seoul Olympic Stadium this year, be sure to check online for any announcements and updates.
Location: 25 Olympic-ro, Songpa District, Seoul
