Watch out world, another sphere is coming.
Sphere Entertainment, owner and operator of the Sphere venue in Las Vegas, and the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism have announced that the United Arab Emirates city will be the home of a second Sphere venue.
Details of the new Sphere are still being finalized, but the company says it will be located in a “prime location” in the city and will “mirror the scale of the 20,000-capacity Sphere in Las Vegas.”
Notably, the new Sphere will utilize a franchise model, with Abu Dhabi funding construction and paying Sphere a franchise fee while leveraging the company’s design, technology and intellectual property. The new Sphere will also pay Sphere Entertainment recurring fees for content, brand, technology and IP.
The Las Vegas Sphere focuses on live events, including concerts by the likes of U2 and Phish, and recently entered the sports arena for the first time with a live UFC match. There are also two original films, Darren Aronofsky’s Postcards from Earth and V-U2 Immersive Concert Film, and other original Sphere content is being developed by the company’s Sphere Studios division.
The Sphere in Las Vegas has also become a bona fide tourist attraction, with visitors attempting to snap video images of the “exosphere.”
“Sphere’s vision has always included a global network of venues, and today’s announcement marks an important milestone toward that goal,” said Sphere Entertainment Executive Chairman and CEO. James Dolan said. “Sphere is redefining live entertainment and expanding the reach of its transformative impact. We are proud to work with DCT Abu Dhabi to develop Sphere in their city.”
His Excellency Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi, added: “We are excited to partner with Sphere Entertainment to bring Sphere to Abu Dhabi and offer our residents and visitors a fantastic new form of entertainment.” Ta. “Sphere Abu Dhabi seamlessly integrates cutting-edge technology and captivating storytelling to create unforgettable memories for all who visit. This partnership is in line with our Tourism Strategy 2030. Further establishing Abu Dhabi as a vibrant hub of culture and innovation. By incorporating cutting-edge entertainment like Sphere, we are increasing our global profile as well as immersive experiences and cultural offerings. We are setting new standards.”