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SPECIAL FEATURE AREA15 in Las Vegas, the first-ever purpose-built destination and access to PGA-certified coaches and Callaway tour fittings. The

Global Entertainment Concepts for experiential attractions, art and entertainment, celebrated its fifth venue also includes targeted programming and equipment designed to
build strength, enhance mobility and promote full-body recovery. In
anniversary back in September. The attraction began as a 200,000sq
The Rise of the Experience Culture ft venue and has evolved into a 40-acre entertainment district. This addition to the golf offering, the venue also features Duckpin bowling;
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Dartsee, a projection-based twist on darts and a full-service restaurant
August, AREA15 launched its expansion, dubbed Zone 2: The Termi
and bar. Five Iron has quickly re-shaped urban golf culture by put-
nals. This included the first Universal Horror Unleashed attraction
and a number of new experiences such as the John Wick experience. ting a modern spin on an old classic. It all began begun in 2017 from
The new age of entertainment is borderless. As global concepts travel faster than ever, retail and leisure Across the AREA15 district, there are now a total of 23 immersive humble beginnings with one location on Fifth Avenue in the Flatiron
destinations are borrowing from international playbooks to craft unique, experience-driven spaces. Over the attractions, 11 F&B outlets and more than 60 sculptures and 30 District. Today, they operate over 30 locations across 16 US states and
murals. Through the end of 2025 and into 2026, the development will
five countries. Its largest global site is in Dubai, UAE.
coming pages, RLI leans into the sector to take a look at a number of international examples that highlight a continue to open new experiences in Zone 2, including Felix & Paul Netflix House is a permanent, year-round fan destination where
reimagined global marketplace where entertainment, technology and culture converge. Studios’ Interstellar Arc, the reimagined Boeing 747 multi-use event visitors can step into their favourite Netflix shows through immer-
venue and the largest-ever Museum of Ice Cream location. sive experiences, themed restaurants and shops. The concept is set
Five Iron Golf, a leading operator in the indoor golf and entertain- to launch in Philadelphia at King of Prussia on 12 November and in
ment space, opened its seventh and largest New York City location Dallas at Galleria Dallas on 11 December (a Las Vegas location is cur-
back in September, a 20,000sq ft facility at 1290 Avenue of the Amer- rently scheduled for 2027). Spanning more than 100,000sq ft, Netflix
icas. Opened just 72 hours ahead of the 45th Ryder Cup’s opening House is a first-of-its-kind, permanent year-round home for fans that is
matches at nearby Bethpage Black, the venue features 14 Trackman free to enter and brings some of their most popular shows and movies
simulators with multi-angle camera systems, a Zen Putting Green to life - including Wednesday, Squid Game, ONE PIECE, Stranger

Slick City Action Park, Indianapolis, Indiana, US Five Iron Golf, New York City, New York, US

Netflix House, Dallas, Texas, US

In today’s experience-driven economy, entertainment has For the retail and leisure sectors, this convergence represents a pow-
become the new anchor for destinations worldwide. erful opportunity. As consumer priorities shift towards experience,
No longer confined to cinemas or amusement parks, global enter- wellbeing and shared moments, destinations that blend entertainment
tainment concepts are transforming how people shop, dine and play, with retail stand to gain both relevance and resilience. Global enter-
creating immersive environments where culture, commerce and cre- tainment concepts are not just reshaping how people spend their time,
ativity seamlessly converge. they’re redefining what destinations mean in a connected world.
Across continents, forward-thinking developers and brands are
reimagining physical spaces as social, interactive hubs. In Asia, tech- Entertainment Concepts Around the World
nology-led entertainment - from AR-integrated retail to hyper-themed Slick City Action Park, the world’s first indoor slide park featuring
attractions, has turned shopping into spectacle. In the Middle East, proprietary dry-slide technology, now officially stands at 107 locations
mega-developments fuse luxury, lifestyle and leisure to deliver all-day, signed or opened across the US and beyond. This milestone under-
all-senses engagement. Meanwhile, in Europe and North America, scores the brand’s rapid rise, driven by its one-of-a-kind attractions,
experiential models such as competitive socialising, immersive dining strong financial performance and an expanding corporate leadership
and pop-up entertainment concepts are revitalising high streets and team. Slick City parks offer a wide range of attractions designed to keep
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malls with renewed energy and purpose. the entire family entertained for hours. Alongside the brand’s proprie
What defines this new wave is not simply scale, but storytelling. tary Slick Slides, guests can enjoy dodgeball and basketball on bouncy,
Global entertainment concepts draw on cultural trends and digital sealed air floors, swing and glide on trapezes and zip lines, compete
innovation to create experiences that resonate across borders while in go-karts, laser tag and mini golf, or for younger visitors, explore the
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still reflecting local identity. From e-sports arenas to art-based immer Junior Jungle and Webcrawler. The brand continues to innovate with
sive spaces, these venues invite visitors to become active participants new slides such as the U-shaped Riptide, its steepest design to date, as
rather than passive consumers, strengthening emotional connection well as the two-rider Turbo Twin, where guests race side-by-side on AREA15, Las Vegas, Nevada, US
and brand loyalty. Slick Slide’s proprietary ride mats down a twisting course.

62 Retail & Leisure International November 2025 November 2025 Retail & Leisure International 63