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Las Vegas’s giant Sphere entertainment centre coming to Abu Dhabi

By Neil Halligan
Las Vegas Sphere Reuters
The outside of the Sphere in Las Vegas is covered in a 54,000 sq m LED display
  • Will be built on a ‘prime spot’
  • Venue for concerts, shows and events
  • Part of $10bn tourism investment

A twin of the $2.5 billion 111-metre-tall Sphere entertainment centre in Las Vegas is to be built in Abu Dhabi.

Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT) has signed an agreement with US company Sphere Entertainment to build the venue at an as yet unnamed “prime spot” in Abu Dhabi that will echo the scale of the Las Vegas venue.

The Las Vegas Sphere can hold 20,000 people and includes a 15,000 square metre LED screen that wraps around the interior. It also has a sound system that weighs almost 180 tonnes and includes 1,900 speakers.

The Sphere in Abu Dhabi is expected to be a year-round draw, hosting events, concerts and shows.

Under the partnership, DCT Abu Dhabi will pay Sphere Entertainment a franchise initiation fee for the right to build the venue and use the proprietary designs, technology and intellectual property.

DCT Abu Dhabi will fund the venue’s construction, with Sphere Entertainment’s team providing services for the Abu Dhabi Sphere’s development, construction and pre-opening.

Once the venue is open DCT Abu Dhabi will pay Sphere Entertainment annual fees for creative and artistic content, venue operations and technology, and commercial and strategic advisory support.

James Dolan, executive chairman and CEO of Sphere Entertainment, said the company’s plans had “always included a global network of venues”.

Mohamed Al Mubarak, chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi, said the partnership aligned with the emirate’s tourism strategy 2030. “By embracing cutting edge entertainment like Sphere, we’re not only elevating our global profile but also setting new standards in immersive experiences and cultural offerings,” he said.

Abu Dhabi plans to invest more than $10 billion in infrastructure as part of its tourism plans.

In recent years the emirate has earned a reputation as a host of major sporting events, including the NBA, the Formula 1 Grand Prix, the Indian Premier League in cricket, the ITU world triathlon and the Fina swimming world championships.

Next January the Zayed Sports City Stadium will host the band Coldplay playing to 120,000 fans over four nights.

Abu Dhabi intends to almost double international overnight visitors from 3.8 million in 2023 to 7.2 million in 2030, expand hotel room availability from 34,000 to 52,000 and boost its holiday home segment. 

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