Opening of the Sphere venue in Abu Dhabi under Sphere Entertainment

Captivating concert venue the Sphere is expanding into new markets. Sphere Entertainment, founded by Madison Square Garden CEO James L. Dolan, opened its first location in September 2023. Now the entertainment company has its sights set on opening a second Sphere in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The 20,000-person capacity venue will be opened in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism.

“Sphere Abu Dhabi will seamlessly combine advanced technology with captivating storytelling, creating unforgettable memories for every visitor,” DCT Abu Dhabi Chairman HE Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak said in a statement. “This partnership is in line with our Tourism Strategy 2030 and further establishes Abu Dhabi as a vibrant center for culture and innovation. By introducing cutting-edge entertainment like Sphere, we are not only raising our global profile, but also setting new standards for immersive experiences and cultural offerings.”

Dolan added: “Sphere’s vision has always included a global network of venues, and today’s announcement is an important milestone toward that goal.” Sphere is redefining live entertainment and expanding the reach of its transformative impact. We are proud to partner with DCT Abu Dhabi to develop Sphere in their city.”

The Las Vegas Sphere is an unmissable building measuring 366 feet tall and 516 feet wide. The walls and ceiling are covered with a 16K x 16K resolution screen, allowing for maximum immersion. The site took seven years to complete and the budget reportedly exceeded $2 billion. Since opening last year, the venue has hosted residencies from U2, Phish, Dead & Company, Eagles and Anyma.

“This will be a quantum leap forward in terms of what a concert can be,” said U2 guitarist The Edge Rolling Stone before the band played the first ever Sphere concert. “It gives you the opportunity to transport people back in time and into worlds that are completely computer-generated but completely believable. It is a new genre of immersive experience and a new art form.”