The highly anticipated Sphere Abu Dhabi will open its doors on Yas Island in the United Arab Emirates at the end of 2029.
The National said that the new entertainment venue will be positioned between SeaWorld Abu Dhabi and Yas Mall, the entertainment venue will be only the second of its kind in the world after Sphere Vegas.
Developed through a partnership between the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) and Sphere Entertainment Co., the project marks the first time a Sphere venue will be built outside the United States.
the 20,000-capacity Sphere Abu Dhabi will host three categories of events: Sphere Experiences or proprietary immersive productions that feature multisensory storytelling; concert residencies; and brand events that include everything from combat sports and conferences to product launches.
Yas Island was selected to home Sphere Abu Dhabi’s thanks to its existing infrastructure and the breadth of experiences it already offers.
Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, said, “Yas Island is a place where you can experience everything from theme parks, hospitality and shopping, to golfing, beach experiences, nightlife, food and beverage, all in one destination.
“One of our strategies at Yas and many of our other destinations is how well we interconnect experiences.
“So it’s important that everything is within walking distance and everything is connected to some form of mass transportation, whether that is a bus network, a tram network or even a fast rail network that connects us with the other emirates and beyond.”
Culturally, the $1.7 billion Sphere Abu Dhabi will serve as a showcase for the emirate’s heritage. Plans include original Sphere Experiences rooted in Emirati culture and the display of Emirati artwork on the Exosphere, the venue’s iconic spherical LED exterior.
These ambitions echo the ethos of its Las Vegas predecessor, which opened in September 2023 and redefined what a live entertainment venue can be.
Al Mubarak added, “Yas Island’s proximity to a major train station means visitors travelling from Dubai and the Northern Emirates will face a very, very short commute.”
DCT Abu Dhabi is working with US-based Sphere Entertainment, the company behind Sphere Vegas, to develop the venue. Al Mubarak confirms that the estimates for the construction costs stand at $1.7 billion.
James Dolan, the executive chairman and chief executive of Sphere Entertainment, said, “Abu Dhabi is a premier international capital city, and its ambition, infrastructure and position as a cultural crossroads make it a natural home for Sphere.
“Sphere Abu Dhabi will establish Yas Island as a destination in the region for immersive experiences, and we look forward to working with DCT Abu Dhabi to see this venue come to life.”
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