Abu Dhabi is gearing up to welcome the world’s second Sphere, a giant dome entertainment complex, after the successful debut of its first location in Las Vegas. This announcement was made late Tuesday by the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism in collaboration with Sphere Entertainment Co., marking a significant development for the Middle East’s entertainment landscape.
Under the terms of the agreement, Abu Dhabi will pay a franchise fee to Sphere Entertainment for the rights to construct the new venue, which will replicate the innovative designs of its predecessor. The local government will be responsible for financing the construction and will also incur annual fees to Sphere Entertainment for “creative and artistic content.”
While the announcement shed light on the plans, it did not disclose specific financing details or the intended location within the Emirati capital.
Queries sent to Abu Dhabi’s government regarding the project remained unanswered as of Wednesday, and Sphere Entertainment opted not to provide further comments beyond the initial release.
The original Sphere in Las Vegas, which opened in 2023, is a monumental $2.3 billion project and stands as the most expensive entertainment venue in the area. This striking structure features a high-resolution LED screen that encircles half of its 17,500-seat audience area. It has already hosted various concerts and sporting events within its impressive dimensions, measuring 366 feet (111 meters) in height and 516 feet (157 meters) in width.