Marina Bay Sands to begin lobby overhaul in January and promoters target new arena
Lobby works start Jan 2027; 15,000-seat arena already drawing promoter interest
Key Takeaways
- The Marina Bay Sands lobby renovation in Singapore starts in early January 2027 and will run for about 18 months.
- The lobby work is part of a US$1.75 billion budgeted MBS Renovation Phase II scheduled to complete in mid-2028.
- A 15,000-seat arena is included in the wider US$8 billion expansion, which began construction in July 2025 and targets an early 2031 opening.
- The arena will have a 7,000-seat upper tier that can be closed to create an 8,000-seat configuration for shows and certain sports.
- Marina Bay Sands expects to recruit and train more than 100 specialists to operate arena events, and has appointed Ed Sanderson as vice president, arena.
The Marina Bay Sands (MBS) lobby renovation in Singapore will begin in early January 2027 and last approximately 18 months, Paul Town, chief operating officer (COO) of the resort, told Business Times of Singapore. The work is part of a US$1.75 billion budget for Marina Bay Sands renovations and is scheduled for completion in mid-2028.
Schedule and scope of the lobby
The lobby renovation programme will be carried out progressively "tower by tower" to minimise guest impact, Paul Town said. The aim is to "give the lobby a big boost" to its aesthetics and, despite the complexity due to its size, the effect on visitors will be minimal, he added:
"For the lobby aesthetics, we really want to give it that big boost. It’s a complicated project because the lobby is so large, but we will do it progressively – tower by tower – and the impact to our guests will be minimal. I think the end result is going to be quite spectacular." — Paul Town, COO, Marina Bay Sands
The lobby upgrades form part of "MBS Renovation Phase II", according to investor materials published on 21 October when parent company Las Vegas Sands Corp. announced third-quarter results.
Phase II and other upgrades
MBS Renovation Phase II also includes:
redesign of rooms and suites for Hotel Tower 3
renovation of the VIP arrival area
works on the SkyPark and dining facilities
spa and other amenities
MBS Renovation Phase I already covered Hotel Towers 1 and 2 and included the introduction of redesigned rooms and suites, a VIP arrival area; two gaming floors called "Premium Gaming" and "Tower Gaming"; the Paiza Sky Residence; and premium retail and food and beverage offerings.
15,000-seat arena: demand and timeline
The construction of the 15,000-seat arena is part of the US$8,000 million expansion of the resort, which will also add a fourth hotel tower. The expansion project, designed by Moshe Safdie — the architect of the original resort — began construction in July 2025 and is scheduled to open in early 2031.
Paul Town noted that, although it will be "four or five years" before the arena is taken to market, they are already receiving interest from concert promoters and MICE event organisers. The arena includes an upper tier of 7,000 seats that can be closed to create an 8,000-seat configuration for shows and events.
"We can absolutely pivot to host certain sports there — tennis, basketball, UFC and others. Those are opportunities we will look at," Town said.
Town added the site will require early investment in staffing, including recruiting and training "more than 100 specialists" to operate shows. In September, GGRAsia reported that Ed Sanderson was appointed vice president, arena, at Marina Bay Sands; Sanderson worked at The Venetian Macao from June 2007 to July 2013. Las Vegas Sands is also the parent company of Macau casino operator Sands China.
Additional components of the expansion project
According to the third-quarter presentation, the expansion will also deliver an all-suite hotel with up to 570 units, 110,000 sq ft (10,219 m²) of MICE space and The Skyloop, which will include rooftop pools, restaurants, nightlife venues and public attractions.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the Marina Bay Sands lobby renovation start?
The lobby renovation will start in early January 2027 and is expected to last approximately 18 months, with a target completion in mid-2028.
How much does the lobby phase of the renovation cost?
The lobby work is part of a US$1.75 billion budget allocated to Marina Bay Sands' MBS Renovation Phase II, per investor materials published on 21 October.
What capacity and uses will the new arena have?
The arena will have a total capacity of 15,000 seats; its upper tier contains 7,000 seats and can be closed to create an 8,000-seat configuration, enabling configurations for sports such as tennis, basketball and UFC, as well as concerts and MICE events.
What is the timeline for the larger expansion project?
The US$8 billion expansion began construction in July 2025 and is scheduled to open in early 2031, according to Las Vegas Sands Corp.'s third-quarter presentation.
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Gonzalo Marín
Industry Deals Correspondent
Gonzalo Marín covers the corporate deal flow of gambling — operator strategy, M&A, regulated-market entries, and product launches. The reports open with the transaction, cite companies, valuations, and jurisdictions exactly as released, and keep the announcement apart from its actual effect. When a Latin American operator raises capital or a European brand lands in the region, Gonzalo Marín reports who signs, for how much, and on what terms.
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