YAS ISLAND BECOMES HOME OF SPHERE ABU DHABI, A NEW GLOBAL ICON FOR IMMERSIVE ENTERTAINMENT | News

The Ministry of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and Sphere Entertainment Co. today announced that Yas Island has been selected as the location for Sphere Abu Dhabi, a landmark project with a construction cost of US$1.7 billion. Poised to become a global icon, the venue will attract tourists from around the world, drive economic diversification and enhance Abu Dhabi’s sense of place for residents and visitors.

Sphere Abu Dhabi, the first Sphere location outside the United States, will be built on land between Yas Mall and SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, with lush green surroundings and close proximity to Yas Island’s other theme parks and attractions. Construction of the site is expected to be completed by the end of 2029.

HE Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “Abu Dhabi has always built for the long term, and Sphere Abu Dhabi is a powerful demonstration of that commitment. In a region where the appetite for world-class experiences continues to grow, our investment of $1.7 billion in the construction phase sends a clear message: Abu Dhabi is open, ambitious and steadfast in its direction. This project reflects the strength of Abu Dhabi’s international partnerships, built on shared ambition and mutual trust. emirate as a global destination. Together we will create a venue that will attract our community, visitors, creators and investors to Yas Island and Abu Dhabi for decades to come. And at its core, Sphere Abu Dhabi will be a platform for Emirati culture, Emirati talent and Emirati stories, shared with the world on the largest stage ever built.

James L. Dolan, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Sphere Entertainment, said: “Sphere Abu Dhabi is the first step in realizing our vision for a global network of venues. Abu Dhabi is a premier international capital, and its ambition, infrastructure and position as a cultural crossroads make it a natural home for Sphere. Sphere Abu Dhabi will make Yas Island 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.”

Sphere Abu Dhabi will host three main categories of events, all powered by Sphere’s cutting-edge experiential technologies: Sphere Experiences, proprietary immersive productions with multi-sensory storytelling; concert residencies; and major and branded events supported by flexible configurations to host everything from martial arts to conferences and product launches.

The entertainment offering at Sphere Abu Dhabi reflects Abu Dhabi’s status as a cultural crossroads. Although still in development, plans include offering fully immersive experiences that are the signature of Sphere in Las Vegas, in addition to creating Sphere Experiences that convey Emirati culture and heritage, and showcasing work by Emirati artists on the Exosphere, the spherical LED screen that forms the exterior of the venue. The concerts will feature local and other Arab artists, as well as global stars.

Located a short drive from Zayed International Airport, Sphere Abu Dhabi will be a welcoming gateway to the emirate’s culture and entertainment offering. With its proximity to Yas Island’s other hospitality and entertainment infrastructure, Sphere Abu Dhabi will strengthen Yas Island as a global events destination, not only for events at Sphere, but also by providing an exceptional backdrop, broadcast globally during the annual Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

The world’s first Sphere location opened in Las Vegas in September 2023. Like the Las Vegas venue, Sphere Abu Dhabi will be an experiential medium, powered by cutting-edge technologies that will transform the traditional venue model. The venue will also reflect the scale of Sphere in Las Vegas, with a capacity of up to 20,000 people depending on the configuration for a particular event. Once opened, Sphere Abu Dhabi’s ongoing operations will create thousands of jobs locally.

Another milestone in Abu Dhabi’s integrated destination development, Sphere Abu Dhabi will function as a global tourism magnet alongside other globally renowned projects such as the Saadiyat Cultural District and the upcoming Disney theme park resort on Yas Island.

DCT Abu Dhabi will work with entities such as the Department of Municipalities and Transport and its Integrated Transport Centre, the Department of Energy, Taqa, Etihad Rail and Aldar to ensure that all components of the masterplan, including road improvements, site access and site-wide infrastructure, are coordinated with surrounding assets on Yas Island.