A second Sphere, just as big as the one in Las Vegas, will be built in Abu Dhabi. The construction plans are not finalized, but if they go through, the copy will be in no way inferior to the original.
Abu Dhabi is planning to build the world’s second Sphere, following into the footsteps of the iconic event hall that opened in Las Vegas last year. It will mirror the original’s massive scale and cutting-edge technology, likely featuring a full LED exterior and a 16K interior screen. Unlike the mini version that is planned as part of a new mega resort in Dubai, Abu Dhabi’s Sphere will be an official franchise of Sphere Entertainment.
Sphere Entertainment, the operator and developer of the Las Vegas Sphere, will also handle the construction of the Abu Dhabi Sphere. The paying authority, however, is the Abu Dhabi Department of Tourism and Culture (DCT), that is also paying a franchise fee to Sphere Entertainment. This fee covers the Sphere brand as well as the ProAV technologies, some of which – like the Holoplot audiosystem – were co-developed or sponsored by Sphere Entertainment and are protected.
Licensing their high-tech venue has been part of Sphere Entertainment’s plan from the beginning. “The vision for Sphere has always included a global network of venues, and today’s announcement is a significant milestone toward that goal,” says James Dolan, Executive Chairman and CEO of Sphere Entertainment. Over the past year, there have been frequent reports of potential new city partners, with London once being considered as a possible location. However, Abu Dhabi emerged as the most promising candidate.
Collaboration on content
details about how much of the Las Vegas Sphere’s technology will be replicated have not yet been revealed. What is confirmed is that the Abu Dhabi Sphere will also accommodate 20,000 visitors. The project is a key part of the Abu Dhabi Department of Tourism and Culture’s (DCT) 2030 tourism strategy, aimed at making the city “a vibrant hub for culture and innovation,” according to Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi.
The partnership with Sphere Entertainment will continue beyond construction. Abu Dhabi will pay annual fees for the use of content, which is produced by Sphere Entertainment’s own subsidiary. Additionally, there are ongoing agreements for consulting and operational services provided by Sphere Entertainment.
