The Las Vegas Sphere Is Getting a Second Location in the Middle East

The Sphere is headed to Abu Dhabi.

By Alison Fox Alison Fox

Alison Fox is a Travel + Leisure contributor. She has also written for Parents.com, The Wall Street Journal, and amNewYork. When she’s not in New York City, she can be found at the beach or on the slopes. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines Published on October 19, 2024

Close The Sphere in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo:

Raf Willems/Getty Images

The Sphere, which illuminates Las Vegas’ skyline and has enthralled Sin City guests, will open a second attraction in Abu Dhabi.

The large-scale attraction will open in a “prime spot” in Abu Dhabi and will mimic the scale of the 20,000-capacity Sphere in Las Vegas, according to Sphere Entertainment. The attraction will be able to host events, concerts, and shows.

However, a timeline for when the world’s second Sphere would open and an exact location was not immediately clear.

“The vision for Sphere has always included a global network of venues, and today’s announcement is a significant milestone toward that goal,” James L. Dolan, the executive chairman and chief executive officer of Sphere Entertainment, said in a statement. “Sphere is redefining live entertainment and extending the reach of its transformative impact.”

As part of the agreement to open the Sphere in the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism will pay a franchise initiation fee to build it and then fund construction. Abu Dhabi is then expected to pay annual fees to license the Sphere’s creative and artistic content.

Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, the chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi, called the new venue “cutting-edge entertainment” and said with it, the city is “not only elevating our global profile but also setting new standards in immersive experiences and cultural offerings.”

The Sphere first opened in Las Vegas in 2023 and stands larger than life at a whopping 366 feet tall and 516 feet wide. An intricate web of LED lights on the outside allows the company to project incredible graphics, while inside, concerts and interactive exhibits wow guests. 

The Sphere has even become a social media spectacle since it opened with travelers to Las Vegas searching out the perfect spot to capture the impressive venue, and cemented itself as a must-see attraction in Las Vegas.