Arenacross 2025: Where Engineering Meets Adrenaline

On April 26, 2025, the world watched as the Arenacross World Tour Finals roared into Etihad Arena, Yas Island. It wasn’t just the first indoor motocross finale in the GCC;  it was a dynamic fusion of sport, showmanship, and serious engineering. While riders thrilled the crowd with aerial acrobatics and head-to-head sprints, the real foundation of the event was built—literally—by Al Marwan Machinery.

Transforming a world-class entertainment venue into a rugged, high-performance dirt track required more than just grit—it required a fleet of precision machinery, including the heavy-duty Kobelco excavator and versatile Sinoboom manlift technology.

Arenacross Goes Global, and Abu Dhabi Makes History

As Arenacross CEO Matt Bates said in the lead-up to the event:
“I’m proud to announce that our decade of hard work is being rewarded with international expansion aim is to create the ultimate season-ending ‘must-visit’ World Tour Final event in an incredible location – Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, where this amazing destination has something for every family and motorsport fan on the planet.”

In 2025, Arenacross introduced two major titles: the British Championship and the World Tour Championship (AXWT), the latter concluding in Abu Dhabi. The Etihad Arena hosted the spectacular final, setting a new benchmark for Arenacross on an international level.

Etihad Arena: A Multi-Purpose Marvel

Set along the picturesque Yas Bay, Etihad Arena is the Middle East’s largest indoor entertainment venue, with seating for up to 18,000 guests. Known for headline events like UFC 257: Poirier vs McGregor 2 and Disney on Ice, the arena has consistently pushed the boundaries of what a venue can host.

In April 2025, it raised the bar again, transforming into a motocross battleground. The engineering challenge? Convert a sleek, polished arena floor into a rugged, high-performance off-road course… without compromising safety, performance, or spectator experience.

That’s where Al Marwan Machinery came in.

How Al Marwan Created the Arenacross Arena

Transforming Etihad Arena into a dirt-fueled race zone took precision planning, heavy equipment expertise, and 24/7 coordination.

Here’s how it was done:

1. Material Sourcing & Logistics

Thousands of cubic meters of specialty dirt were sourced, cleaned, and transported to Yas Island. The material had to meet strict standards—compact enough for traction, soft enough for landing, and consistent for safety.

2. Rough Shaping with Kobelco SK220 Excavators

The powerful Kobelco SK220 machines were the first to move in. Their long reach and accuracy allowed them to carve deep trenches, build elevation, and sculpt the foundation for berms and jumps. Operators used GPS markers and Arenacross-approved layout maps to follow exact geometries.

3. Mass Movement by CAT 950 Loaders

Once the shape began to emerge, CAT 950 wheel loaders transported and redistributed large quantities of material to balance heights, compact corners, and create seamless transitions between obstacles. Their speed and power kept the build moving efficiently on a tight schedule.

4. Fine Sculpting with Skid Steers

To perfect the ramps, lips, and jump faces, skid steer loaders came in. These agile machines could navigate tight angles and micro-adjust the surfaces with laser precision, creating smoother takeoffs, safer landings, and tighter turns.

5. Elevated Installations with Sinoboom 1012N Boom Lifts

While the track was being formed on the ground, vertical work was happening above. Using Sinoboom 1012N electric boom lifts, crews installed lighting rigs, speaker arrays, safety netting, branding, and camera mounts. The lifts ensured clean, quiet operation inside the enclosed venue.

6. Final Touches & Compliance

Once the physical track was sculpted, it underwent inspection by Arenacross technical officials. Al Marwan teams worked alongside event organizers to apply finishing touches, dust suppression, corner markers, signage, and emergency access points.
The result: a fully certified, international-caliber indoor motocross arena, completed within days and dismantled just as efficiently.

Watch the build come to life:

The Main Event: A Full-Throttle Experience

The event kicked off with a Pit Party and Pre-Show Track Walk, giving fans an up-close look at the dirt structures before the competition began. Then came the action:

• 18 tightly contested races
• Freestyle motocross stunts with aerial tricks
• Live music and a synchronized pyrotechnics show
• A crowd giveaway for a Husqvarna 85TC bike valued at  25,000AED

Fans from across the region gathered, and social media lit up with images of riders flipping mid-air and tearing through the dirt. Yalla Abu Dhabi captured it best: “The Arenacross World Tour Finals turned Yas Island into a racing battlefield.”

Engineering Meets Entertainment

Arenacross 2025 at Yas Island wasn’t just a race;  it was a regional milestone. It was about building something bold, thrilling, and technically flawless. Thanks to Al Marwan’s commitment, fleet power, and on-site execution, a global sporting spectacle rose from bare concrete into a rugged arena that thrilled thousands.

As the dust settles on the Etihad Arena floor, one thing is certain: this won’t be the last time the roar of motocross fills the air over Yas Island. And the next time it does, Al Marwan’s machines will be ready, keys in the ignition, engines humming, dirt flying.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Which machines were used to build the Arenacross 2025 track?
The build featured a heavy-duty lineup from Al Marwan, most notably the Kobelco excavator for major earthmoving and the Sinoboom manlift (1012N electric models) for overhead technical installations. CAT wheel loaders and skid steers were also used for material distribution and fine sculpting.

Why was the Sinoboom manlift chosen for indoor work?
The Sinoboom manlift and electric scissor lifts are ideal for indoor venues like the Etihad Arena because they offer quiet, emission-free operation, preventing the buildup of exhaust fumes in enclosed spaces while providing the reach necessary for high-ceiling installations.

Can I rent a Kobelco excavator for similar event builds?
Yes. Al Marwan offers the same Kobelco excavator models and Sinoboom manlift equipment used at Arenacross for rent or sale. Our fleet is maintained to the highest standards to ensure rapid deployment for time-sensitive events across the UAE and the broader GCC.

How is an indoor motocross track built inside an arena?
Building an indoor track like the one at Arenacross Abu Dhabi involves protecting the arena floor with specialized layers before importing thousands of tons of dirt. Heavy machinery, such as the Kobelco excavator, is used to shape the obstacles, while electric equipment like the Sinoboom manlift ensures overhead installations are completed safely in an enclosed space.

What equipment is needed for stadium-grade sports events?
For large-scale stadium events, a mix of earthmoving and access equipment is required. Wheel loaders and excavators handle the ground material, while boom lifts (manlifts) and scissor lifts are critical for the technical production, including lighting, sound, and broadcasting setups.

Al Marwan Machinery
Leading heavy machinery provider in the GCC since 1978. Recognized as the GCC Rental Company of the Year for three consecutive years (2023, 2024, 2025), Al Marwan is the trusted one-stop shop for construction projects across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Oman. As an authorized dealer for brands like Kobelco, Powerscreen, Dynapac, Sinoboom, Socma, and CIFA, we offer a comprehensive suite of services covering the entire machinery lifecycle:

• New Heavy Equipment: As an authorized dealer, Al Marwan offers access to the latest models of excavators, crawler cranes, crushers, concrete pumps, and more. All new machinery comes backed by manufacturer warranties.
• Heavy Equipment Rental Fleet: Access one of the largest construction equipment rental fleets in the Middle East. This allows clients to scale operations efficiently, minimizing capital expenditure.
• Used Heavy Equipment: We offer a curated selection of used equipment from global leaders like Caterpillar, Volvo, Komatsu, and Hitachi. Each piece undergoes rigorous inspection and maintenance to guarantee optimal performance and reliability.
• Expert Support & Maintenance: Al Marwan provides comprehensive after-sales support and maintenance services to ensure the long-term performance and reliability of your investments.