MGM Resorts plans to build a ‘Dubai Sphere’ that promises an experience on par with the original in Las Vegas. However, with just 300 seats, it will be a much smaller version of the iconic venue.
Dubai may soon be getting its own version of the iconic Las Vegas Sphere. As part of a massive new resort by MGM Resorts, which has already been approved by the emirate’s ruler, plans are underway to build a scaled-down replica of the famous Las Vegas structure. Bill Hornbuckle, CEO and President of MGM, revealed at the Skift Global Forum, a tourism conference, that the Dubai Sphere will be “equally compelling as Las Vegas Sphere.” However, with only 300 seats, it will be much smaller than its Las Vegas counterpart, which can accommodate 18,600 spectators.
Part of a $2 billion resort development
The Dubai Sphere will be the centerpiece of MGM’s ambitious resort project, which has been in development since 2017. The entire complex, estimated to cost around $2 billion, will consist of three main sections, with the Sphere in the middle. Originally, plans included a casino, but that idea was dropped due to local restrictions. Now, the Sphere apparently is to provide entertainment that will replace the gambling activities typically found in similar resorts.
While the Dubai Sphere will be significantly smaller, Hornbuckle hinted that it will offer a similar immersive experience. Although he didn’t reveal many specifics, it’s likely that the interior will feature a similiar high-definition, curved LED screen. Hornbuckle called it “the visual things you’d obviously do inside a sphere.”
Whether the exterior of the Sphere will also be covered in LEDs remains unclear, though early design concepts show a 110-meter-high structure – just two meters shorter than the Las Vegas Sphere. Given the reduced seating capacity, this size comparison is surprising.
Independent from Sphere Entertainment
MGM Resorts plans to operate the Dubai Sphere independently, though they are open to future partnerships. The project will not be directly connected to Sphere Entertainment, the company behind the Las Vegas Sphere.
The idea of building more Spheres around the world isn’t new. Last year, there were rumors about potential locations, and media reports suggest that Sphere Entertainment is considering licensing the concept. Abu Dhabi is currently considered one of the strongest candidates for another Sphere location.
With Dubai’s Sphere now in the works, the iconic structure could become a global symbol of immersive entertainment.
