Philippine Arena’s Best Concerts of All Time: SB19, Coldplay, Blackpink & More

by Rowella Michaels | June 04, 2025

Photo by Judgefloro, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

As the world’s largest indoor arena, the Philippine Arena has become Southeast Asia’s epicenter for large-scale concerts. With a seating capacity of over 50,000, it has hosted some of the biggest names in global and Filipino music. Here's a look at the top 8 most iconic concerts held at this monumental venue, featuring verified or closely estimated attendance figures and a glimpse into the artists who brought the arena to life.

1. SB19 – Simula at Wakas World Tour Kickoff (2025)
2. Coldplay – Music of the Spheres World Tour (2024)
3. Blackpink – Born Pink World Tour (2023)
4. Twice – Ready to Be World Tour (2023)
5. Bruno Mars – Live in the Philippines (2023)
6. SEVENTEEN – Be the Sun World Tour (2022)
7. IU – HEREH World Tour (2024)
8. Katy Perry – Prismatic World Tour (2015)

---

1. SB19 – Simula at Wakas World Tour Kickoff (2025)

Estimated Attendance: Over 100,000 (2 nights)

SB19 is a trailblazing Filipino boy group trained under the Korean idol system and now self-managed under their own company, 1Z Entertainment. Known for their socially conscious lyrics, tight choreography, and vocal excellence, they’ve redefined modern P-pop on a global scale.

Clarification (June 05, 2025): This note was added to include SB19's current self-managed status under 1Z Entertainment, which was not originally mentioned in the article.

In May 2025, SB19 became the first Filipino act to sell out two consecutive nights at the Philippine Arena, with over 100,000 fans attending. The atmosphere was a powerful blend of patriotism, emotion, and electrifying fandom—marking a new era for OPM on the world stage.

Photo by TV Ten Asia, licensed under CC BY 3.0. Source: YouTube.

---

2. Coldplay – Music of the Spheres World Tour (2024)

Verified Attendance: 96,079 (2 nights)

Coldplay is a British rock band celebrated for their emotionally resonant anthems and immersive live shows. Since their 2000 breakout with “Yellow,” they’ve evolved into one of the most successful touring acts in the world.

In January 2024, Coldplay sold out two nights at the Philippine Arena, becoming the first Western act to do so. With LED wristbands lighting up during “Fix You” and “A Sky Full of Stars,” the experience was nothing short of euphoric.

Photo by Raph_PH, licensed under CC BY 2.0.

---

3. Blackpink – Born Pink World Tour (2023)

Verified Attendance: 92,720 (2 nights)

Blackpink is a globally renowned K-pop girl group under YG Entertainment. With bold visuals and fierce charisma, they’ve taken the world by storm.

Their 2023 concerts broke records as they became the first K-pop girl group to sell out two nights at the arena, sending waves of excitement through Filipino BLINKs and signaling K-pop’s unstoppable rise in the region.

Photo by TV10 (티비텐), licensed under CC BY 3.0

---

4. Twice – Ready to Be World Tour (2023)

Verified Attendance: 86,930 (2 nights)

Twice is a South Korean girl group under JYP Entertainment, known for infectious pop hits and charming personalities.

Their Philippine Arena debut was a love letter to fans—complete with Tagalog shoutouts, heartfelt speeches, and boundless joy that filled the venue over two sold-out nights.

Photo by Steven Anthony Hammock, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

---

5. Bruno Mars – Live in the Philippines (2023)

Verified Attendance: 76,252 (2 nights)

Bruno Mars, whose mother is Filipina, blends pop, funk, and R&B with unmatched showmanship. He’s a Grammy magnet and a global icon.

His 2023 shows felt like a homecoming celebration. The crowd erupted to “24K Magic,” “Treasure,” and “Just the Way You Are,” as Bruno commanded the stage with his signature swagger and warmth.

Photo by slgckgc, licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons.

---

6. SEVENTEEN – Be the Sun World Tour (2022)

Verified Attendance: 39,480 (1 night)

Seventeen is a self-producing K-pop boy group praised for intricate choreography and hands-on musicality.

Their 2022 show was the first major post-pandemic concert at the Philippine Arena. The crowd’s energy and the group's sincerity made it a night to remember.

Photo by Seventeen, licensed under CC BY 3.0. Source: YouTube.

---

7. IU – HEREH World Tour (2024)

Verified Attendance: 37,000 (1 night)

IU (Lee Ji-eun) is a South Korean singer-songwriter beloved for her lyrical storytelling and expressive vocals.

IU made history as the first Korean solo artist to perform at the Philippine Arena. Her intimate, acoustic-driven set captivated 37,000 fans in a heartfelt and historic performance.

"230917 우리 모모콘 IU (7)" by 월아조운, licensed under CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

---

8. Katy Perry – Prismatic World Tour (2015)

Estimated Attendance: ~35,000 (1 night)

Katy Perry is a pop powerhouse with hits like “Firework” and “Roar.” Known for her bold visuals and theatrics, she was a defining voice of 2010s pop.

As the first major international solo act to perform at the Philippine Arena, her 2015 concert set the standard for future global stars. From giant props to costume changes, it was a technicolor spectacle.

"KatyPerryWestminst111224 (82 of 95)" by Raph_PH, licensed under CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

---

From SB19’s historic homegrown triumph to Coldplay’s celestial show and Blackpink’s K-pop domination, the Philippine Arena has become a premier destination for world-class performances. Whether you’re into rock, pop, K-pop, or P-pop, one thing is certain: the Philippines is now firmly on the global concert map—and the world is watching.

---

What’s your ultimate Philippine Arena concert pick?

Did we miss any unforgettable shows or iconic moments? Drop your favorites below and tell us why they should be in the list — we’d love to hear your stories and see who really rocked the arena in your eyes!

---

Disclaimer:

While the estimated attendance figures provide a quantitative measure of each concert’s scale, this list also considers the overall experience of concert-goers, including the quality of the performance, production value, audience engagement, and the impact left by the artists and their teams. These factors collectively define the memorability and significance of each event at the Philippine Arena.