Abu Dhabi is set to host the world’s second Sphere entertainment venue , following the launch of the first giant dome entertainment complex in Las Vegas. This development was announced by Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism in collaboration with Sphere Entertainment Co.
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The Las Vegas Sphere was opened in 2023 and it was a project costing $2.3 billion. It features a 17,500-seat audience and a high-resolution LED screen that wraps around half of the interior.
Standing at 366 feet tall and 516 feet wide, it is the largest spherical structure in the world. Las Vegas’ Sphere has already hosted top-tier concerts, sporting events and even cinematic experiences.
The Abu Dhabi Sphere is being developed as part of a franchise agreement between the UAE government and Sphere Entertainment Co..
Abu Dhabi’s government will be responsible for financing the construction of the new venue and will also pay annual fees to Sphere Entertainment for exclusive artistic and creative content.
Sphere Entertainment will provide content, technology and operational services for the Abu Dhabi Sphere, ensuring it mirrors the Las Vegas experience but with unique local touches.
The Abu Dhabi Sphere will be built under a franchise model, meaning the UAE will pay a franchise fee to utilize Sphere Entertainment’s technology, intellectual property and designs.
While the exact cost of the project has not been disclosed, it will likely follow the trend of high investment seen in Las Vegas, where the initial venue required over $2 billion.
The new Sphere will also incur annual fees to maintain creative content and technology licenses from Sphere Entertainment.
Abu Dhabi has already invested heavily in world-class infrastructure, museums, art galleries and cultural attractions such as the Louvre Abu Dhabi.
James L. Dolan, the executive chairman and CEO of Sphere Entertainment envisions a global network of Sphere entertainment venues. Abu Dhabi’s installation will be the second major step in this vision with plans to expand to other locations worldwide.
The Las Vegas Sphere stands at 366 feet tall and 516 feet wide, making it the largest spherical structure globally. Its interior features the highest-resolution wraparound LED screen.
The Sphere’s exterior is impressive, covered with 1.2 million LED lights that can be programmed to display dynamic imagery. This creates a visually striking presence in the city, lighting up the night sky with programmable graphics.
The Abu Dhabi Sphere entertainment venue is expected to mirror this large-scale spectacle. While details on its height and width have not yet been released.
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The Las Vegas Sphere opened with a residency by international rock legends U2, cementing its position as a premier venue for top-tier musical performances.
In addition to concerts, the Sphere entertainment venue is designed to host a variety of events including film screenings and sporting events.
The Abu Dhabi Sphere will likely follow this blueprint. With its immersive technology and the ability to transport audiences into fully enveloping audio-visual environments, the Sphere entertainment venue redefines the concept of live entertainment.
The Las Vegas Sphere cost $2.3 billion to build. The same level of investment is anticipated for the Abu Dhabi Sphere entertainment venue, though specific financial details have not been disclosed.
The construction of the Abu Dhabi Sphere will be funded by the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi, with additional payments made to Sphere Entertainment for creative content and artistic collaborations.
Although Abu Dhabi is set to receive the second Sphere entertainment venue, Sphere Entertainment’s efforts to expand internationally have faced hurdles.
For instance, a plan to build a Sphere in London was rejected due to concerns about light pollution and its impact on nearby residents.
The London Assembly Environment Committee raised concerns over the estimated 1 million LED lights on the Sphere’s exterior, which could have caused unacceptable light levels in the surrounding areas.
The announcement of the Abu Dhabi Sphere entertainment venue had a positive effect on Sphere Entertainment’s stock, which closed 6% higher on the New York Stock Exchange, reaching $48.91 per share.
Despite the financial boost from the Abu Dhabi project, the Las Vegas Sphere reported a loss of $98.4 million in its financial quarter ending September 30, 2023, just days after it opened.
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