SM Prime Holdings Inc. (SMPH) said Thursday it plans to open the P3.6-billion SMX Convention Center Seaside Cebu in the fourth quarter of 2026.
Once operational, the convention center—operated by SMPH’s hospitality arm SM Hotels and Conventions Corp. (SMHCC)—is set to be one of the largest meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE) venues in the Visayas region.
The new facility will offer more than 21,000 square meters (sq. m.) of leasable space across six levels, boasting an over 18,000 seating capacity.
The launch of SMX Seaside Cebu will expand SMX’s total convention portfolio to more than 80,000 sqm of event leasable area across 10 venues nationwide.
SMX has about 42,000 sq. m. of leasable event space. The portfolio includes the planned SMXCITE in Pasay, SMX Manila, SMX Aura in Taguig, SMX Bacolod, SMX Davao, SMX Clark, SMX Olongapo, Skyhall Seaside Cebu and the Megatrade Hall in SM Megamall.
SMHCC executive vice president Peggy Angeles said the regional expansion reaffirms the company’s position as the largest private convention center network in the Philippines.
“After recent events, we hope SMX Seaside Cebu will play a meaningful role in revitalizing the province’s tourism and business landscape,” said Angeles.
Pre-booked events, including Philconstruct Cebu in November 2026 and Wofex Visayas in April 2027, have already been confirmed, signaling strong early demand from MICE clients.
SMX Seaside Cebu is a component of SM Prime’s 26-hectare South Coast City, a master-planned development in Cebu that will also feature the upcoming SM Seaside City Arena.
The estate is envisioned as a major lifestyle and business hub in the southern Philippines. SMHCC expects Cebu’s connectivity through the Mactan-Cebu International Airport to boost the MICE industry in the province.
SMX Seaside Cebu forms part of SMPH’s strategy to expand in high-growth regional centers while contributing to Cebu’s development as a premier business and lifestyle destination.
According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, Cebu ranked among the country’s top 10 provincial economies in both size and share of national GDP in 2023.
