Macau govt. plans 50,000-capacity outdoor concert venue near SJM's Grand Lisboa Palace in Cotai

A new outdoor performance venue with a capacity to host 50,000 attendees is set to be constructed in Cotai, adjacent to SJM Holdings Ltd’s Grand Lisboa Palace casino resort.

The project has been in the planning stage for some time now. During the Legislative Assembly’s Question and Answer Session on April 16, Macau Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng disclosed plans to identify a suitable location in Taipa capable of accommodating concerts for large crowds, with Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture Elsie Ao Ieong noting the venue could be near an integrated resort.

Now, a report by Macau’s TDM Portuguese radio sheds more light on the project. The venue will reportedly occupy undeveloped land near Grand Lisboa Palace, which has already been cleared in preparation for construction. The venue, spanning 94,000 square meters (1.01 million square feet), will be situated at the junction of Avenida do Aeroporto and Rua de Ténis in Cotai, as per a government announcement.

Several public services are currently undertaking preparatory tasks at the site, with a public tender scheduled before construction commences. The venue is expected to open in 2025 and will feature essential facilities and supporting equipment for hosting large-scale performances.

Plans for such a purpose-built venue were prompted by complaints from residents earlier this year following a concert by K-pop group Seventeen at Taipa Stadium. The event sparked concerns about noise and traffic disturbances in the area.

Last year, in collaboration with concessionaires, the Macau government organized a concert for nearly 20,000 attendees on reclaimed land near Macau Tower. This area has since been designated as a temporary site for future performances, accommodating up to 20,000 people.