Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism has confirmed that construction details for the $1.7 billion Sphere Abu Dhabi on Yas Island are advancing, with the venue’s giant programmable LED exterior known as the Exosphere expected to be visible from Sheikh Zayed Road and large parts of Abu Dhabi Island, making it one of the most recognisable landmarks in the Gulf.
The Exosphere will showcase UAE art and storytelling, setting it apart from its Las Vegas counterpart, with plans to feature works by Emirati artists and competitions allowing students to display creations on one of the world’s largest digital canvases.
The venue, developed in partnership with Sphere Entertainment Co., will be the first Sphere outside the United States and only the second globally. Located between Yas Mall and SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, it will have a capacity of up to 20,000 and host Sphere Experiences, international concert residencies, UFC events, luxury brand shows and government summits. Construction is targeted for completion by the end of 2029.
DCT Abu Dhabi Chairman Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak described it as a platform for Emirati culture on the grandest stage ever built. Sphere Entertainment CEO James Dolan called Abu Dhabi the first step in a global network of Sphere venues.
