Sphere Abu Dhabi is coming to Yas Island, with construction expected to finish by 2029. SUPPLIED
Abu Dhabi is set to get its own giant Sphere, with the new entertainment venue planned for Yas Island and designed to accommodate up to 20,000 people.
Sphere Abu Dhabi will be the first Sphere venue outside the United States. The $1.7 billion construction project is being developed by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) and Sphere Entertainment Co.
Construction is expected to be completed by the end of 2029.
The venue will rise on a site between Yas Mall and SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, putting it within easy reach of the island’s existing theme parks, hotels and entertainment attractions.
For visitors, the biggest draw will be the technology. Sphere Abu Dhabi will host immersive productions designed around multi-sensory storytelling, alongside concert residencies and large-scale events. Its flexible event configuration will also allow it to host sporting events, conferences, product launches and other major gatherings.
The venue’s exterior will feature the Exosphere, a giant LED screen covering the spherical structure. Plans call for the screen to showcase work by Emirati artists and visual storytelling linked to Emirati culture and heritage.
Concert programming is expected to include local and other Arab artists as well as international stars, while Sphere Experiences will bring immersive productions similar to those developed for the original Sphere in Las Vegas.
The Abu Dhabi venue will mirror the scale of its Las Vegas counterpart, with a capacity of up to 20,000 depending on the event configuration. It is also expected to create thousands of local jobs once operational.
The location is designed to make Sphere part of Yas Island’s wider tourism and entertainment offering. It is a short drive from Zayed International Airport and will sit alongside the island’s existing attractions and hospitality infrastructure.
The venue is also expected to add another high-profile backdrop to Yas Island during the annual Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, with the project designed to strengthen the island’s position as an international events destination.
Sphere Abu Dhabi will join Abu Dhabi’s growing portfolio of major cultural and entertainment developments, including the Saadiyat Cultural District and the upcoming Disney theme park resort on Yas Island. ICA/Expat Media
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