Las Vegas’ Sphere will no longer be a one-of-one. A second Sphere has been announced, for Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates.
No target date for the construction or opening was revealed in the announcement made jointly on Tuesday by Sphere Entertainment Co. and Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT).
“The vision for Sphere has always included a global network of venues, and today’s announcement is a significant milestone toward that goal,” said James L. Dolan, executive chairman and CEO of Sphere Entertainment, in a statement. “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.”
Said H.E. Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi, “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.”
The company had hoped to build a Sphere in London, but plans for constructing such a highly visible addition to the landscape there ran into local opposition, and Dolan turned his attention elsewhere.
According to a statement, “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 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 Las Vegas flagship version of the dome (which is officially named just “Sphere,” not “the Sphere”) opened in September 2023 at a reported cost of more than $2 billion. Although it will take some time for the venue to show a profit at that cost, ticket sales for concerts and films during its short time in operation have been robust. Sphere Entertainment reported revenue of $273.4 million for its fiscal fourth quarter, which ended June 30, with an operating loss of $71.4 million for that same quarter.
In Las Vegas, an initial residency by U2 was followed by a 30-show run by Dead & Company and a current residency by the Eagles. A U2 concert film is also now running in the venue, along with Darren Aronofsky’s “Postcard From Earth.” The EDM artist Anyma will move into Sphere for eight dates at the end of December. In September, Sphere hosted UFC 306, the first live sports event at the venue. In June, the dome had the NHL Draft, marking the first time a live television event had been broadcast from the facility.
