Abu Dhabi has announced it will be constructing a huge Sphere Entertainment Venue on Yas Island, expanding the popular Sphere concept to the first international location outside the United States. The entire project will be about $1.7 billion and will be one of the largest entertainment icons in the region.

The upcoming venue will be built by a collaboration between Sphere Entertainment Co. and the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT-Abu Dhabi). According to an official, the project is designed to boost Abu Dhabi as a world hub for tourism, concerts, immersive experiences, and mega live events. It is believed that the venue will have cutting-edge audio-visual technology, much like the Las Vegas Sphere.

There are already several big names that inhabit Yas Island, such as Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, and Yas Marina Circuit. The new development is expected to bring in a higher volume of visitors, which will positively impact the UAE’s entertainment and hospitality industry in the near future, according to industry experts. 

Sphere Entertainment Venue to Boost Tourism

Next-generation screen and sound technologies will power concerts, sporting events, digital shows, and immersive experiences at the new Sphere Entertainment Venue. Although authorities have yet to announce an opening date, the development is part of a long-term plan for Abu Dhabi to build world-class tourism and entertainment facilities.

The original Sphere location in Vegas was famous for its large LED exterior screen and “inside atmosphere. The design in Abu Dhabi is likely to be similarly futuristic, though it will be tailored to the market and international tourism, and perhaps even modified by it.