Sphere Entertainment, the company behind the high-tech Sphere in Las Vegas, NV, has detailed plans for a forthcoming second Sphere location in Abu Dhabi, the capital city of the United Arab Emirates. The new Sphere, which will become the second venue of its kind, is being developed in tandem with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi).
Per a press release circulated by Sphere Entertainment about the new venue in the Middle East, “Located in a prime spot in Abu Dhabi and echoing the scale of the 20,000-capacity Sphere in Las Vegas, this venue promises to redefine entertainment in the region. Sphere in Abu Dhabi is expected to be a major year-round draw for both residents and visitors from around the world, offering opportunities to experience events, concerts, and shows like never before in an unforgettable and revolutionary setting.”
The press release neither specified when the construction would begin nor forecasted when the venue would aim to open, though it did note that the project aligns with UAE’s Tourism Strategy 2030, a plan enacted in April 2024 by His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, to “boost visitor numbers to 39.3 million and increase the sector’s GDP contribution to AED 90 billion by 2030.”
The announcement also detailed the basic structure of DCT Abu Dhabi’s partnership with Sphere Entertainment on the new venue, which will be an independently funded and operated Sphere Entertainment franchise: “Under the terms of the partnership, which is subject to finalization of definitive agreements, DCT Abu Dhabi will pay Sphere Entertainment a franchise initiation fee for the right to build the venue, utilizing Sphere Entertainment’s proprietary designs, technology, and intellectual property. Construction will be funded by DCT Abu Dhabi, with Sphere Entertainment’s team of experts providing services related to development, construction, and pre-opening of the venue. Following the venue’s opening, Sphere Entertainment plans to maintain ongoing arrangements with DCT Abu Dhabi that are expected to include annual fees for creative and artistic content licensed by Sphere Entertainment, such as [two] Sphere Experiences; use of Sphere’s brand, patents, proprietary technology, and intellectual property; and operational services related to venue operations and technology, as well as commercial and strategic advisory support.”
The announcement of the second Sphere in Abu Dhabi falls in line with the previously stated intentions of Sphere Entertainment and its executive chairman/CEO, James L. Dolan. Per a statement from Dolan, who holds the same executive positions for Madison Square Garden Entertainment as he does for the spin-off Sphere Entertainment, “The vision for Sphere has always included a global network of venues, and today’s announcement is a significant milestone toward that goal. Sphere is redefining live entertainment and extending the reach of its transformative impact. We are proud to collaborate with DCT Abu Dhabi to develop Sphere in their city.”
H.E. Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, the chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), added, “We are excited to bring Sphere to Abu Dhabi in partnership with Sphere Entertainment, providing our residents and visitors with an extraordinary new form of entertainment. Sphere Abu Dhabi will seamlessly integrate advanced technology with captivating storytelling, creating unforgettable memories for everyone who visits. This partnership aligns with our Tourism Strategy 2030, further establishing Abu Dhabi as a vibrant hub for culture and innovation. 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.”
Related: Eagles Add February 2025 Shows To Sphere Residency, Bringing Total To 24 Concerts [Update]
Of note, the newly announced Sphere in Abu Dhabi is unrelated to the forthcoming sphere-shaped venue in Dubai recently announced by MGM Resorts. As MGM Resorts CEO Bill Hornbuckle said at the time his company’s planned spherical entertainment venue in the United Arab Emirates was “not as big as the sphere in Las Vegas by any stretch but equally compelling. It has 300 seats with a mini showroom and the visual things you’d obviously do inside a sphere.”
The original Sphere in Las Vegas is currently hosting an extended Eagles residency. In December, multimedia project Anyama will serve as the first electronic music act to perform at the venue. Other ongoing attractions include U2 concert film V-U2, Darren Aronofsky‘s Postcards From Earth Sphere Experience, and more. Find tickets to upcoming concerts and events at Las Vegas, NV’s Sphere here.
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