Indoor arenas are large enclosed spaces that can host various events, such as sports, concerts, exhibitions, and ceremonies.
They are often designed to accommodate thousands of spectators and provide them with a comfortable and enjoyable experience. Some of the factors that determine the size and capacity of an indoor arena are the shape, the roof, the seating arrangement, and the location.
Today, we will explore the world’s biggest indoor arenas in the world, based on their maximum capacity.
We will also look at some of the features and attractions that make these arenas stand out from the rest.
Whether you are a fan of basketball, ice hockey, or music, you will surely find an indoor arena that suits your taste and preference.
Here are the top 10 biggest indoor arenas in the world in 2023:
10. United Center, Chicago, Illinois – 23500
The United Center is an indoor arena located on the Near West Side of Chicago, Illinois, United States.
It is home to the Chicago Bulls of the National Basketball Association and the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League.
The United Center has a seating capacity of nearly 21,000 for NBA games and 23,500 for concerts, making it the largest arena by capacity in the NBA and the second-largest arena by capacity in the NHL.
The arena has a state-of-the-art scoreboard, a 190-foot LED ribbon board, and a 250,000-watt sound system.
It was opened in 1994, replacing the Chicago Stadium, which was located across the street.
The United Center has hosted over 200 events each year, including concerts, sports events, and political conventions.
The arena has also hosted other events, such as entertainment events, live shows of various musical genres, WWE, UFC, Disney on Ice, Cirque du Soleil, and Oprah Winfrey’s farewell show.
The United Center also offers dining and catering services and has a bag policy that allows guests to enter the arena with a small purse or personal bag up to 10x6x2.
9. Mexico City Arena, Mexico – 22300
The Mexico City Arena is an indoor stadium located in the neighborhood of Azcapotzalco in Mexico City, Mexico.
It is used for concerts, sporting activities, and other events. It was formally opened to the public on February 25, 2012. The total cost to build the Arena was around $300 million.
The Arena can accommodate up to 22,300 spectators at its total capacity. Zignia Live is currently in charge of running it.
The Arena has a height of 45 meters. Depending on the occasion, it can accommodate more than 20,000 people and features two helipads, a parking area with space for 5,000 vehicles, 124 luxury rooms, 650 security cameras, and 850 LCDs.
The venue has previously hosted performances such as Disney on Ice and Monster Jam.
8. Greensboro Coliseum Complex, Greensboro, North Carolina – 23500
The Greensboro Coliseum Complex is an entertainment and sports complex located in Greensboro, North Carolina. It is known for hosting various events, such as concerts, sports, conventions, and fairs.
It is also the home of several sports teams, such as the UNC Greensboro Spartans, the Greensboro Swarm, and the Carolina Cobras.
The complex has eight venues, including an amphitheater, an arena, an aquatic center, a banquet hall, a convention center, a museum, a theatre, and an indoor pavilion.
The main venue is the Greensboro Coliseum, which has a seating capacity of 23,500 for concerts, 20,917 for basketball, and 19,717 for hockey.
The complex covers 960,000 square feet (89,000 m 2) on a 46-acre (19 ha) parcel, west of the Chicago Loop.
It was opened in 1959 as a war memorial to honor veterans of World War I and World War II.
Inside the complex, there are various features and attractions, such as statues of sports legends, a state-of-the-art scoreboard, an LED ribbon board, and a sound system.
There is also a museum that showcases the history and achievements of the ACC, as well as a hall of fame that honors the best athletes and coaches from the conference.
7. Štark Arena, Belgrade, Serbia – 23500
The Štark Arena, also known as Belgrade Arena, is a multi-purpose indoor arena located in Belgrade, Serbia.
It is designed for various events, including sports, cultural performances, and concerts.
The arena is known for its modern technology, universal use, sophisticated marketing, and exceptional comfort with comprehensive services for spectators and visitors.
The Štark Arena has a seating capacity of 18,386, with a record attendance of 24,232 set in 2014 by KK Red Star as the home team.
The Štark Arena has hosted numerous major sporting events, such as the World Championships in karate, the World Cup finals in volleyball, European Waterpolo Championships, EuroBasket, and Davis Cup.
6. Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City, Philippines – 25000
The Araneta Coliseum is an indoor multi-purpose sports arena in Quezon City, Philippines. It is one of the largest clear-span domes in the world and the main venue of the Philippine Basketball Association and other sports events.
The Araneta Coliseum was built from 1957 to 1959 and opened on March 16, 1960.
It has a dome diameter of 108 meters and can accommodate up to 25,000 to 36,000 people, making it one of the largest indoor arenas in the world.
Inside the coliseum, there are different sections for seating, such as the patron, lower box, upper box, and general admission. There are also VIP suites, a press room, a media center, and a locker room.
The coliseum has a modern sound and lighting system, as well as a giant LED screen.
The coliseum is part of Araneta City, which is a mixed-use development that includes shopping malls, hotels, office buildings, and residential towers.
5. Mineirinho Arena, Belo Horizonte, Brazil – 25000
The Mineirinho Arena is the largest indoor stadium in Brazil, located in MG City. The construction of this Arena took place between the years 1973 and 1980.
It can accommodate as many as 25,000 people at once. It is historic and has served as the headquarters for the FIFA Confederations Cup in 2013 and the FIFA World Cup in 2014, both of which took place there.
In addition, it was the host location for the FIVB volleyball competitions in 2014.
The Mineirinho Arena is mainly used for the sport of volleyball, but it also hosts a wide range of other indoor events that happen on a national and worldwide scale.
Basketball, indoor football, and concerts are some of the other popular activities that take place here.
4. Baku Crystal Hall, Baku, Azerbaijan – 27000
Baku Crystal Hall is present in Baku, Azerbaijan, and serves various purposes.
The German construction company that oversaw its development did so specifically for the Eurovision Song Contest in Baku in 2012.
With a seating capacity of 25,000 people, it is now the largest indoor Arena that Azerbaijan has to offer.
It took a record-breaking total of only eight months to finish the construction of it.
The hall is given the appearance of having a crystalline façade thanks to the installation of 45,000 LED bulbs, which also promises to provide the ideal atmosphere for the venue’s many different uses.
In November 2014, the International e-Sports Federation conducted the 6th e-Sports World Championship in Baku Crystal Hall.
3. Saitama Super Arena, Saitama, Japan – 36500
Saitama Super Arena is a multifunctional stadium located in Saitama City. It is one of the largest venues in Japan.
Saitama Super Arena also hosts a variety of events. Since it opened its doors in 2000, it has been the venue of choice for various cultural and sporting events, with a total capacity of 36,500.
A lot of indoor basketball contests during the Summer Olympics in 2020 took place in this stadium.
During the Olympic competition, the stadium could accommodate as many as 21,000 spectators at once.
2. Paris La Défense Arena, Nanterre, France – 40000
Paris La Défense Arena is a one-of-a-kind sports and entertainment facility located to the west of the city in La Défense.
It is famous as Europe’s premier commercial zone. It has the most prominent projection surface globally and is the largest modular hall in Europe.
Big worldwide entertainment and sporting events are given a new lease on life thanks to the Arena’s U-shaped stands, superb acoustics, and cutting-edge technological advances.
It can host up to 40,000 people every night of the event. Bringing together the best features of a concert hall and a stadium, this new type of venue changes the rules of sports and entertainment to make every game an epic spectacle.
1. Philippine Arena, Santa Maria, Philippines – 55000
The Philippine Arena is the biggest indoor stadium in the world, located in Santa Maria, a town about 30 kilometers away from Manila, the capital of the Philippines.
It is an indoor arena that can be used for various events and has a maximum seating capacity of 55,000 people.
It is located in Ciudad de Victoria, a tourism enterprise zone that spans 140 hectares and is located in Bocaue, Philippines, approximately 30 kilometers north of Manila.
The structure’s design and craftsmanship are of the highest caliber. The architecture is imposing.
The building is highly up-to-date and can endure violent earthquakes.
The Arena is not only used for large-scale church gatherings hosted by the Iglesia ni Cristo, but it also serves as a venue for various sporting events and musical performances.
We have seen the world’s largest indoor arena, ranging from the colossal Philippine Arena to the Greensboro Coliseum Complex.
These arenas are not only impressive in size and capacity, but also in design, functionality, and history.
They have hosted some of the most memorable events and performances in the world, and have attracted millions of visitors and fans.
There are many other arenas which we didn’t cover like Rupp Arena, Friends Arena and Romexpo. Some notable arenas like SC Olimpiyskiy are currently under construction.
Which one is your favorite or have you visited any one of the above? Please let us know in the comments.