According to recent reports, the state-of-the-art concert and events venue, Sphere, which has become wildly popular in Las Vegas, Nevada, will be replicated in Abu Dhabi.
As Sphere expands into Abu Dhabi, top sportsbooks are eyeing the potential for betting on major events like UFC cards or concerts hosted at the state-of-the-art venue.
Sphere Going Global
Sphere in Las Vegas has made such a global impression with its state-of-the-art technology that it is not all that surprising that other sites are clamoring for their own version. Contrary to popular rumors, the next destination will not be London, Seoul, or Tokyo but rather Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where you will see what is reported to be a replica of the original in Las Vegas.
“The vision for Sphere has always included a global network of venues, and today’s announcement is a significant milestone toward that goal,” said James L. Dolan, executive chairman and chief executive officer of Sphere Entertainment. “Sphere is redefining live entertainment and extending the reach of its transformative impact.”
Abu Dhabi is the capital of the UAE and second only to Dubai in terms of population, but the addition of a Sphere will make it an even more compelling tourist destination.
“Sphere Abu Dhabi will seamlessly integrate advanced technology with captivating storytelling, creating unforgettable memories for everyone who visits,” H.E. Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi, said. “This partnership aligns with our Tourism Strategy 2030, further establishing Abu Dhabi as a vibrant hub for culture and innovation.”
The UAE’s Department of Culture and Tourism will “pay Sphere a franchise initiation fee for the right to build the venue” and annual fees thereafter for Sphere’s intellectual property and creative designs.
What’s All the Buzz About?
For those planning to see a show in Las Vegas, Spere has become the venue of choice. At $2.3 billion, it is the most expensive entertainment venue in the history of Sin City and has been hailed as a masterpiece of technological architecture. The structure incorporates 580,000 square feet of LED displays on the outside of the massive 366-foot high and 516-foot-wide high-tech orb east of the Las Vegas Strip.
As for the interior, Sphere has room for 18,600 guests in its stadium-seating design and room for over 20,000 when selling standing-room general admission tickets. The 16K resolution wraparound LED screen is accompanied by state-of-the-art speakers replete with wave field synthesis and beamforming technologies, which lend themselves to Sphere’s 4D experience, including scent and wind.
In a city known for bright lights and massive edifices, Sphere brings an entirely new and visually stunning façade with its ability to change its appearance from a map of the globe to a giant yellow emoji to a seasonal holiday theme. The list is endless, and the entertainment inside the venue runs the gamut from rock concerts to UFC cards. The Irish rock group, U2, christened Sphere on September 29, 2023, when the band opened with a sold-out 40-show residency. The Sphere Experience—Postcard from Earth and V-U2 An Immersive Concert Film is playing throughout the rest of the year, with the iconic Eagles booked to play 10 dates between now and the end of the year.
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