Philippines to gain ‘Taylor Swift-ready’ stadium

The Philippines is planning to build a ‘Taylor Swift-ready’ stadium by 2028, after missing out on the star’s Eras Tour.

Singapore was the only Southeast Asia stop on the world tour due to a reported exclusivity deal between promoter AEG and the island nation’s government.

Filipino lawmaker Joey Salceda criticised the deal, adding that it was “not what good neighbours do”.

Now, leaders in the Philippines are taking matters into their own hands.

The Clark International Airport and Corp. (CIAC) has announced plans to construct a stadium that can accommodate large concerts and performances from superstars such as Taylor Swift.

The stadium would be “walking distance” from the Clark International Airport (CRK) in Pampanga, northwest of Manila, and around 40 hectares in size, according to CIAC president and CEO Arrey Perez, who shared details at the Build Better More Infrastructure Forum at the New Clark City on Friday.

“I hope by the time we build our complex, we are ready to host [Swift] because the Philippines has always been a music-loving industry”

The new venue is estimated to cost P32 billion (€502m) and will be a public-private partnership, he added.

“When we host big events, we always see Philippine Arena,” continued Perez. “So, you have something like a 55,000-seater but the problem is it causes a lot of traffic. It’s a major gateway… NLEX (North Luzon Expressway). And apart from that, Clark really needs also more attractions so that we can really attract more passengers, more airlines to the airport. Our business is not entertainment but really, all these developments are meant to support the growth of the CRK.”

Perez said that so far, a mix of local and international companies from Singapore, the US and the Philippines have expressed interest in the proposed Clark arena project.

“I hope by the time we build our complex, we are ready to host [Swift] because the Philippines has always been a music-loving industry,” Perez adds.

The Philippines isn’t the only Southeast Asian country that has reacted to Singapore’s deal with Swift.

In March this year, Thailand’s prime minister said she wanted the country to follow suit and become a ‘strong hub’ for international concerts and festivals.

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