Abu Dhabi Picked For Next Sphere Venue Location

United Arab Emirates will be home to the second Sphere.

By Andy Kahn Oct 15, 2024 6:36 am PDT

The second Sphere will be built in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates according to an announcement today by Sphere Entertainment and the Department Of Culture And Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi). The first Sphere opened in Las Vegas in 2023.

“The vision for Sphere has always included a global network of venues, and today’s announcement is a significant milestone toward that goal,” said Sphere Entertainment executive chairman and CEO James L. Dolan. “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.

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Sphere Abu Dhabi will match the Las Vegas Sphere’s 20,000-person capacity. The new venue will be located in a “prime spot” within Abu Dhabi and will host concerts and other events.

Sphere Abu Dhabi will be built as a collaborative partnership between Sphere Entertainment and DCT Abu Dhabi. Terms of the partnership, which are subject to finalization, include DCT Abu Dhabi paying an upfront franchise initiation fee to Sphere Entertainment while harnessing Sphere Entertainment’s intellectual property, technology and other proprietary designs. DCT Abu Dhabi will fund the construction of the technologically advanced venue with the assistance of Sphere Entertainment.

After Sphere Abu Dhabi’s opening, DCT Abu Dhabi and Sphere Entertainment intend to continue their partnership through a variety of mechanisms.

“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,” said H.E. Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi. “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.”

Sphere Las Vegas opened in September 2023 after construction began in 2019. Costs to build the state-of-the-art venue with cutting-edge audio and visual technology grew in excess of $2 billion before its completion. U2, Phish, Dead & Company and Eagles (who are currently in residency) have performed concerts at the Las Vegas Sphere, which also regularly screens a Darren Aronofsky-directed movie and has hosted other events like UFC.

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