Mayor Greg Gasataya said the opening of the SM City Skyhall, a new multi-events venue on the sixth floor of the mall’s North Block in Bacolod City on Wednesday, Oct. 8, will further boost the city’s sports tourism drive.
The mayor cited multiple national sports events scheduled to be held in Bacolod in 2026, and pointed out that sports tourism is one sure way of attracting visitors to the city.
Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson, Bacolod City officials led by Gasataya, and Michelle Leslie Llaños, SM Vice President for Mall Operations Visayas, led the opening of the Skyhall.
Primarily configured for sports, the Skyhall is designed to host a wide mix of activities, including concerts, conventions, graduations, trade shows, and social functions, Llaños said.
Skyhall can seat up to 1,000 guests.
“Skyhall is about access and choice. We wanted a venue that feels close to daily life and is practical to configure for different event goals,” Llaños said.
“Our E.P.I.C. idea invites communities to Entertain, Play, Inspire, and Celebrate in one place,” she added.
The venue offers a choice of fan or air-conditioned setup, a FIBA (International Basketball Federation) and FIVB (International Volleyball Federation) standard wooden court, fixed and flexible seating, dugout facilities and restrooms, and a spacious lobby for ingress, egress, and reception needs, an SM press statement said.
The layout allows quick changeovers from athletic events to stage productions and conferences, it added.*