Sphere Abu Dhabi Planned for Yas Island Development

Sphere Abu Dhabi Project to Expand Entertainment Offerings in UAE

Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and Sphere Entertainment Co. have announced plans to develop Sphere Abu Dhabi on Yas Island, marking the first Sphere venue outside the United States.

The project, with a reported construction phase investment of USD 1.7 billion, will be located between Yas Mall and SeaWorld Abu Dhabi. Construction is expected to be completed by the end of 2029.

The new venue will form part of Yas Island’s growing entertainment and tourism infrastructure and is expected to host immersive entertainment productions, concert residencies, sports events, conferences and large-scale brand activations.

According to the announcement, Sphere Abu Dhabi will feature advanced experiential technologies similar to those used at the existing Sphere venue in Las Vegas, which opened in 2023. The Abu Dhabi venue is also expected to have a capacity of up to 20,000 guests, depending on event configurations.

Officials said the project is intended to support Abu Dhabi’s tourism and economic diversification plans while contributing to the emirate’s cultural and entertainment landscape.

Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi, said the development reflects Abu Dhabi’s long-term investment strategy and aims to create opportunities for tourism, entertainment and cultural storytelling.

James L. Dolan, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Sphere Entertainment, said Abu Dhabi’s infrastructure and position as an international destination made it a suitable location for the company’s first expansion outside the United States.

The venue’s programming is expected to include immersive Sphere Experiences, performances by regional and international artists, and displays featuring Emirati culture and creative work on the venue’s external LED surface, the Exosphere.

Located near Zayed International Airport, Sphere Abu Dhabi will also benefit from connectivity to Yas Island’s existing attractions, hotels and entertainment assets, including the annual Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

DCT Abu Dhabi said it will work with multiple government and infrastructure entities to coordinate transport access, roads and supporting infrastructure for the development.

Sphere Abu Dhabi joins a wider pipeline of tourism and entertainment projects planned for the emirate, including developments on Yas Island and the Saadiyat Cultural District.

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