Coca-Cola Arena marks five ‘monumental’ years
Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai’s first and largest multipurpose indoor venue, is marking five “monumental” years since it opened.
The ASM Global-operated arena launched on 6 June 2019 with a sold-out show from Canadian comedian Russell Peters.
Since then, the 17,000-capacity venue has hosted over 251 live shows and staged 390 international artists including Alicia Keys, Chris Brown, Bryan Adams, 50 Cent, Tiesto and Martin Garrix.
It has also hosted several renowned comedians such as Kevin Hart, Michael McIntyre and Trevor Noah, as well as sporting events such as the Euroleague Basketball Next Generation Tournament.
“This milestone is a testament to the unwavering support of our fans, partners and stakeholders”
“We are incredibly proud to celebrate five years of operations at Coca-Cola Arena,” says Mark Jan Kar, general manager of Coca-Cola Arena. “This milestone is a testament to the unwavering support of our fans, partners and stakeholders. As a collective, we are driven to innovate, collaborate and create live experiences including welcoming Dubai’s first professional basketball franchise in Q4, proving our commitment to positioning Dubai as the destination for world-class sports and entertainment.”
In IQ’s Global Arena Guide 2023, Kar said that he’s excited about the momentum being generated in what’s becoming a prominent destination for international acts.
“We could probably fill 52 weeks of the year with Arabic and Asian content, but that’s not our strategy,” he explains. “With a large expatriate population as well, we want to present the city of Dubai with all types and genres of entertainment.”
Upcoming events at Coca-Cola Arena include Jason Derulo, Macklemore, Enrique Iglesias and Thirty Seconds to Mars.
Elsewhere in Dubai, outdoor shows are evolving with Untold becoming the Emirate’s first mega fsetival and Green Day announcing their Middle East debut at the 30,000-capacity outdoor Expo City Dubai.
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Dubai events to proceed after floods
Live events are going ahead as scheduled in Dubai this weekend despite the United Arab Emirates experiencing its worst rainfall in 75 years.
This week saw approximately double the UAE’s yearly average of rainfall in a single day, bringing much of the region to a standstill. The National reports that some areas recorded more than 250mm of rain in less than 24 hour.
Nevertheless, Mark Jan Kar, general manager of ASM Global’s Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai, says there has been no disruption to events at the venue or at the company’s C3 conference centre at Expo City.
“Tonight’s Kid Laroi show is proceeding as planned albeit, of course, with refunds available for patrons whom cannot make it,” he tells IQ.
International acts such as Boyz II Men, Jason Derulo, Shaggy & Blackstreet, Nicole Scherzinger & T.I., James Blunt and Hans Zimmer Live are all due to perform at the arena over the coming months.
“The city has taken a big hit – Dubai more than Abu Dhabi,” All Things Live Middle East CEO Thomas Ovesen tells IQ. “I think some shows have been cancelled or postponed as folks just couldn’t get about or would want to attend events, but I think from this weekend the events business is back to normal unless venues need repair – as might be the case for a few outdoor venues.”
“Due to the ongoing disruption, and to speed up recovery, we are temporarily limiting the number of arriving flights”
Dubai International Airport says it is limiting the number of flight arrivals for two days as it battles a backlog.
“We’re endeavouring to do our best to support guests impacted by delays due to recent unprecedented weather conditions,” it posts on social media. “However, due to the ongoing disruption, and to speed up recovery, we are temporarily limiting the number of arriving flights from 1pm on 19 April for 48 hours.”
Emirates is also suspending check-in for all customers in its network with onward connections through Dubai until 11.59pm GMT tonight (19 April).
“Customers travelling to Dubai as their final destination may check-in and travel as usual,” it adds. “Our teams are working hard to restore our scheduled operations as soon as possible.”
Etihad, state carrier for Abu Dhabi, said flight operations are back to normal in the UAE capital, which was also hit by a downpour on Tuesday (16 April).
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Mark Jan Kar appointed new GM of Coca-Cola Arena
Mark Jan Kar has been promoted to general manager of Dubai’s Coca-Cola Arena following the recent resignation of arena CEO Guy Ngata.
Kar, who is currently the arena’s director of commercial and live, will assume the role on 20 June following the departure of Ngata, who is returning to his home country of New Zealand.
Harvey Lister, chairman and chief executive of arena operator ASM Global Apac, says: “Guy’s leadership and management of the arena is demonstrated by Coca-Cola Arena Dubai being named venue of the year at the Middle East Event Awards last month. Guy will be returning to Auckland to join his family for an extended period and we wish him well in his future endeavours.”
“Mark’s understanding and knowledge of the many wonderful and unique characteristics of the destination will be invaluable”
Welcoming Kar, Lister continues: “We are committed to and optimistic about the future. As a long-time resident of Dubai, Mark’s understanding and knowledge of the many wonderful and unique characteristics of the destination will be invaluable, and he will be fully supported by the whole ASM Global team as we grow content for the United Arab Emirates and the Gulf region generally.”
With a capacity of 17,000, Coca-Cola Arena is the biggest indoor arena in Dubai. The venue opened in 2019 but has, in common with other entertainment venues globally, spent much of the past year with its doors shut, though it managed to reopen for socially distanced shows at the tail end of last year.
“I am looking forward to the opportunity afforded to me by ASM Global APAC and [venue owner] Dubai Holding,” says Kar. “As an executive team we are committed along with our stakeholders to the return of live in the city of Dubai and truly excited for what the future holds.”
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