Work on the multi-sports arena began in April

The construction of the Multipurpose Arena in Salvador, which will have capacity for over 12 thousand people, has sparked interest from the administrators of the Salvador Convention Center (CCS). The French company GL events, which manages the equipment, plans to compete in the tender to operate the multi-sports arena. For Ludovic Moulin, general director of CCS, the capital of Bahia will have a unique opportunity to integrate the two spaces and compete with São Paulo in the competition for events.

As works on the Multipurpose Arena They were started by the city of Salvador in April this year and are expected to be delivered in 2026. The deadline may seem distant, but it is already attracting interest from international companies. To manage the equipment, located in Boca do Rio, a concession will be made, via bidding, in agreement with SalvadorPar – a mixed economy company that is part of the indirect public administration of the capital.

The arena will be part of Parque dos Ventos, located 200 meters from the Salvador Convention Center. The general director of CCS sees the chance to unify services. “Our group will analyze the bid and we will see if it is within acceptable conditions to submit a proposal. Salvador will have a unique opportunity to have a complex”, he explains. The investment for construction will be R$163 million,

According to the city hall, the Multipurpose Arena will have capacity for 12 thousand people in show mode and, in sports mode, for up to 7.5 thousand visitors. Ludovic Moulin envisions the integration of events that take place at the CCS and the arena simultaneously. If the operation is completed, the business will be similar to the concession of the Riocentro complex, which is also managed by GL events in Rio de Janeiro.

“Events increasingly seek experience. Combining an arena and a convention center is very interesting because a congress, for example, can hold the opening or closing ceremony in the arena. If we win the bid, we will be able to expand to capture larger events”, he says.

The director believes that the concession could expand the potential of business tourism in Salvador. In the low season, the segment represents 40% of tourist movement in the capital, according to the Bahian Federation of Tourism and Hospitality (Fetur).

“We will enter another level, being able to compete directly with spaces in São Paulo, by increasing our reception capacity. But, if they are different administrators, I think Salvador will miss a great opportunity to have a place with a unique configuration”, analyzes Ludovic Moulin.