DAVAO CITY — The Kingdome, a monumental 75,000-seater indoor arena, officially opened on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, along Carlos P. Garcia Highway in Sasa. The sprawling structure, designed for Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KoJC) gatherings and civic events, now claims the title of the world's largest indoor arena, surpassing the Philippine Arena in Bulacan.
A Colossal Engineering Feat
The Kingdome is more than just a building; it is a testament to ambitious engineering. The structure's floor area spans 5.84 hectares, equivalent to 117 professional basketball courts. Its rooftop alone covers 2.5 hectares, large enough to park a fleet of 135 helicopters. The scale of the project is truly staggering.
At its heart is a 6,616-square-meter center arena, vast enough to hold 240 forty-foot container vans. To ensure safety, the Kingdome rests on 140 reinforced concrete piles, engineered to withstand a magnitude 9 earthquake. It is also the world's largest structure without a central post, relying on four main columns and massive steel trusses.
A Design Rooted in Filipino Symbolism
The exterior design reflects a deep connection to Filipino identity. The dome's exterior resembles a crown, while its diamond-shaped curtain walls draw inspiration from the spiky durian fruit. Golden canopies channel the majestic Philippine Eagle. This fusion of natural symbols creates a unique architectural identity.
The arena's 75,000 multi-colored seats are meticulously aligned to form the rays of the sun. This seating pattern carries a deeper meaning, reflecting the church's message of being the light of the world. The interior incorporates a fusion of American, European, Oriental, and modern styles, creating a unique atmosphere.
Engineered for Functionality
The Kingdome's functionality is as impressive as its form. Adjacent to the Davao International Airport, strict height limitations required innovative design. Builders excavated nine meters into the ground to meet these requirements, giving it a sunken design similar to the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
An isolated 7,000-square-meter mechanical-electrical building houses the infrastructure needed to power and cool the arena. The cooling system delivers 10,800 Tons of Refrigeration, the largest air-conditioning load in the Philippines. The entire compound is supported by two main transformers and eight backup generators, capable of supplying 16 megawatts of power.
A New Destination for Tourism and Events
The Kingdome is poised to become a major destination for tourism and large-scale events. It is a registered Tourism Enterprise-MICE facility, positioning Davao City as a prime venue for meetings, conventions, and exhibitions. The arena has the capacity to host major concerts, sporting events, and other gatherings.
The opening ceremony drew an estimated crowd of 80,000, including KoJC members from across the globe and local officials. The event also marked the church's 41st founding anniversary. The Kingdome is part of the planned Kingdom Global City Tourism Enterprise Zone, which will include a hotel, museum, and commercial center.
