Marina Bay Sands (MBS) is going bigger, bolder, and higher with the launch of its US$8 billion expansion project—set to reshape the skyline and entertainment scene in Southeast Asia. The landmark groundbreaking ceremony was graced by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and featured live performances from Singaporean artist Jasmine Sokko and Canadian popstar Henry Lau.
The expansion, dubbed IR2, includes a new 55-storey luxury hotel tower with 570 all-suite rooms, a dramatic Skyloop rooftop experience, 200,000 sq ft of meeting space, curated dining and wellness offerings, and a premium gaming area. At its heart lies a 15,000-seat live entertainment arena, purpose-built to host global touring acts and major events.
“The arena will fill a critical gap in Singapore’s meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) and entertainment ecosystem,” said Patrick Dumont, president and incoming CEO of Las Vegas Sands. “It will enable Singapore to host the highest-calibre international artists and large-scale touring productions.”
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Designed by Moshe Safdie Architects, IR2 reflects MBS’s ongoing push for architectural and experiential innovation. Originally announced in 2019 with a US$3.3 billion budget, the expansion now carries a price tag of US$8 billion due to rising construction costs. Earlier this year, MBS secured a US$9 billion loan—Singapore’s largest corporate loan—to support the project.
Prime Minister Wong, in his keynote, hailed the development as “a new chapter” for Singapore, underscoring the value of strong, long-term partnerships. “We are able to keep renewing ourselves and moving forward because of strong partnerships.”
The IR2 expansion is expected to be completed by 2030 or early 2031, ushering in a new era for Singapore’s tourism, business, and music scenes—with its arena set to be a game-changer for fans and performers alike.
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