February 21, 2006 - PHILADELPHIA – SMG is proud to announce that the Coliseo de Puerto Rico received the Pollstar Award for the “International Large Venue of the Year” for 2005 at the Pollstar Concert Industry Awards held on Feb. 15 in Las Vegas.
The $252 million, 18,100-seat facility located in San Juan hosted more than 90 events in 2005 and welcomed more that 700,000 people through its doors. More than half of the events held at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico were concerts but others that added to its success included sporting events and family shows.
“From the beginning, we knew that this facility would change the dynamics of touring in North America and complement the existing arenas in the SMG network,” said Mike Evans, Senior Vice President of Sports and Entertainment for SMG.
Several boxing events took place at the Coliseo, including an HBO “Night of Revenge” televised boxing event seen worldwide. A World Wrestling Entertainment Pay-Per-View event, along with various NBA exhibition games highlighted the major sporting events held at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico in 2005.
Family shows which inaugurated the building this past year included Sesame Street, Barney, Wiggles and Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus.
The Coliseo de Puerto Rico also capitalized on the large number of promoters located on the Island, hosting concerts by Van Halen, Usher, Santana, Juanes, Juan Luis Guerra, Hilary Duff, The Black Eyed Peas, Ednita Nazario and Rebelde, among others.
Dale Adams, General Manager of the Coliseo de Puerto Rico said, “With a captive audience of four million plus island residents and a very strong demand for entertainment, we were able to use our expertise and industry contacts to help guide this facility into unprecedented success as the must play date south of the border. We have no reason to think this venue and this market won’t be one of the most successful hot spots for entertainment for years to come.”
So far 2006 has begun with a bang as the venue recently hosted sold out performances by the Rolling Stones and two Ricky Martin dates.
Headquartered in Philadelphia, SMG provides facility services to 195 venues, in 41 states, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Canada and Europe, controls over 1.7 million entertainment seats worldwide and manages more than ten million feet of exhibition space.
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