Sphere is going international.
The $2.3 billion, state-of-the-art concert and events venue located near the Las Vegas strip is adding a second location in Abu Dhabi, Sphere Entertainment announced Tuesday.
“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 chief executive officer of Sphere Entertainment. “Sphere is redefining live entertainment and extending the reach of its transformative impact.”
Dolan, who also owns the New York Knicks and Madison Square Garden, is partnering with the Department of Culture and Tourism of Abu Dhabi to bring the massive, unique structure to the capital and second-most populous city of the United Arab Emirates.
“Sphere Abu Dhabi will seamlessly integrate advanced technology with captivating storytelling, creating unforgettable memories for everyone who visits,” H.E. Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi, said. “This partnership aligns with our Tourism Strategy 2030, further establishing Abu Dhabi as a vibrant hub for culture and innovation.”
The location and construction timeline for the venue were not disclosed.
Just like Vegas
Sphere Las Vegas, which opened in late Sept. 2023, is a 360-foot, 500-foot auditorium with a capacity of 20,000. The interior holds a 16K, 250-foot-tall, 410-foot-wide state-of-the-art curved screen. The outside is made up of 1.2 million LED lights with stunning visuals that can seen all over Las Vegas.
Abu Dhabi’s version is expected to “mirror” the one in Las Vegas and will hold events in a city that boasted 24 million visitors in 2023.
“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," Khalifa Al Mubarak said.
This announcement is part of Sphere Entertainment’s long-term expansion strategy to bolster revenue streams and provide growth potential through its unique content and technology, the company said.
The Las Vegas Review Journal reported Tuesday that Dolan has had discussions with South Korea and London to build other Sphere venues, but Abu Dhabi is the first announced extension plan.
Despite its popularity, Sphere comes with a hefty cost for its owners. Last November, Sphere Entertainment announced a $98.4 million operating loss in the final quarter.
Future in UAE
Abu Dhabi will “pay Sphere a franchise initiation fee for the right to build the venue” while using Sphere’s proprietary designs and intellectual property.
DCT Abu Dhabi will fund the construction and Sphere will provide development, construction, and pre-opening services to the venue. DCT Abu Dhabi will continue to pay an annual licensing fee to Sphere that covers branding, patents, operations related to the venue, and commercial advisory support, among other services.
This new venue could benefit a popular MMA company. UFC 306 was held in Sphere last month and set a new gate record of $22 million, though the organization currently has no plans for a follow-up card at the high-tech venue.
“We showed everybody tonight what’s possible,” UFC CEO Dana White said in September. “You can do more than concerts here. So, who’s next?”
UFC 308 will be in Abu Dhabi on Oct. 26, so future bouts in the UAE location could follow in the future.
