Sphere Secures a $1.7B Investment for Abu Dhabi Expansion

Photo Credit: PRNewsFoto / Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism will invest $1.7 billion in the construction phase of Sphere Abu Dhabi on Yas Island. Construction is expected to be completed by the end of 2029.

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) and Sphere Entertainment have announced that Yas Island has been selected as the location for Sphere Abu Dhabi, a landmark project with a construction phase cost of $1.7 billion. Like the Las Vegas Sphere before it, the venue is poised to attract tourists from around the world, boost economic diversification, and strengthen Abu Dhabi’s position as a tourist destination.

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

“Abu Dhabi has always built for the long term, and Sphere Abu Dhabi is a powerful demonstration of that commitment,” said HE Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi. “In a region where the appetite for world-class experiences continues to grow, our USD 1.7 billion investment in its construction phase sends a clear signal: Abu Dhabi is open, ambitious, and unwavering in its direction.”

“This project reflects the strength of Abu Dhabi’s international partnerships, built on shared ambition and mutual confidence in what this emirate represents as a global destination,” he added. “Together, we are creating a venue that will draw our community, visitors, creators, and investors to Yas Island and Abu Dhabi for decades to come. And at its heart, Sphere Abu Dhabi will be a platform for Emirati culture, Emirati talent, and Emirati storytelling, shared with the world on the grandest stage ever built.”

“Sphere Abu Dhabi is the first step in realizing our vision for a global network of venues,” said James Dolan, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Sphere Entertainment. “Abu Dhabi is a premier international capital city, and its ambition, infrastructure, and position as a cultural crossroads make it a natural home for Sphere. Sphere Abu Dhabi will establish Yas Island as 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: Sphere Experiences, proprietary immersive productions that feature multi-sensory storytelling; concert residencies; and marquee and brand events supported by flexible configurations to host everything from combat sports to conferences to product launches.

Located a short drive from Zayed International Airport, Sphere Abu Dhabi aims to be a welcoming gateway to the emirate’s culture and entertainment offerings. With its proximity to Yas Island’s other hospitality and entertainment infrastructure, Sphere Abu Dhabi will reinforce Yas Island as a global events destination.

The new venue will echo the scale of Sphere in Las Vegas, with a capacity of 20,000, depending on the configuration for a given event. DCT Abu Dhabi will work with entities including the Department of Municipalities and Transport and its Integrated Transport Centre, the Department of Energy, TAQA, Etihad Rail, and Aldar to ensure all components of the plan, including road enhancements, site access, and site-wide infrastructure, are coordinated with surrounding assets on Yas Island.