World's second Sphere set to be built in Abu Dhabi

Sphere Entertainment and Abu Dhabi's department of culture and tourism have announced that the second version of the dome-like Sphere venue will be built in the UAE.

According to the team, the venue in Abu Dhabi will "echo the scale" of the first Sphere in Las Vegas, which is 112 metres high and has a capacity of 20,000.

No architecture studio has been announced for the new development, however, stadium specialist Populous designed both the Las Vegas Sphere and a similar planned venue in London.

Vision "always included a global network of venues"

According to Sphere Entertainment, the Abu Dhabi Sphere would be the first in a series of venues that have a similar form to the Las Vegas building.

"The vision for Sphere has always included a global network of venues, and today's announcement is a significant milestone toward that goal," said Sphere Entertainment executive chairman James L Dolan.

"Sphere is redefining live entertainment and extending the reach of its transformative impact. We are proud to collaborate with DCT Abu Dhabi to develop Sphere in their city."

No location or timeline announced

At present no exact location or timeline for construction have been revealed for the project. According to the team, the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism will pay Sphere Entertainment "a franchise initiation fee" for the right to build and operate the venue.

"Sphere Abu Dhabi will seamlessly integrate advanced technology with captivating storytelling, creating unforgettable memories for everyone who visits," said DCT Abu Dhabi chairman Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak.

"This partnership aligns with our Tourism Strategy 2030, further establishing Abu Dhabi as a vibrant hub for culture and innovation," he continued.

"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.”

The announcement follows the Sphere Entertainment, formerly known as Madison Square Garden Entertainment, team withdrawing its plans to bring the spherical venue to London. The company withdrew its proposal for the venue earlier this year, slamming the planning process as "a political football between rival parties".

Plans for a London venue were first revealed in 2018 and initially gained planning approval before being refused by London mayor Sadiq Khan. Following the controversy, we examined both sides of the debate in a feature asking if London needed the Sphere.

The main image shows a graphic on the Las Vegas Sphere.

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