The Sphere in Las Vegas has become one of the most-talked about buildings in the world since it first debuted earlier this year. The unique structure opened to the masses with a larger-than-life residency by Irish rock band U2, which is set to continue through March 2024. As the Sphere begins solidifying its programming for next year, the latest event announcement should come as exciting news for hockey fans.
The 2024 NHL Draft will take place at the Sphere on June 28 and 29, and it's set to be a momentous occasion for more reasons than one. Besides being the first sports-related event at the venue, the 2024 NHL Draft will be the last one before the league transitions to a new draft structure that resembles that of the NBA and NFL. Last month, NHL teams voted to decentralize the draft starting in 2025, allowing in-demand players to attend the draft in person while the businessmen and team personnel work on solidifying deals somewhere else.
The NHL Draft isn't the only athletic event slated for the Sphere in 2024. UFC president Dana White has been vocal about his desire to host a match there, and he confirmed last month that the stage—or rather, the octagon—is set for Sept. 16. "Mexican Independence Day, we are booked for the Sphere," White told reporters, noting that he and others are "already working on the creative for the show."
"It's going to be a massive challenge, and I love every minute of it," he acknowledged. "Remember that I said this to you tonight: I'm going to put on the greatest live combat sport show anybody has ever seen."
In the meantime, the Sphere is still looking for a big-name artist to take U2's place once their residency wraps up.
