Las Vegas Sphere Sparks Global Expansion: Discover the Next City to Host the Futuristic Venue

The Las Vegas Sphere is just the beginning of a new wave of spherical entertainment venues envisioned by its operators.

Sitting near the Venetian Resort off the iconic Las Vegas Strip, the Sphere opened in 2023 following years of meticulous construction. This venue is equipped with cutting-edge technologies, including immersive wrap-around video screens, promising “next-generation entertainment” that enhances musical performances for up to 20,000 attendees, according to the owners.

“Sphere was crafted to transport audiences to extraordinary realms, both real and imagined. The Sphere Experience is where this vision fully materializes,” remarked James L. Dolan, CEO of Sphere Entertainment, shortly after its 2023 debut.

The idea of expanding the Sphere brand was floated long before the Las Vegas location was completed. Back in 2018, Sphere Entertainment, then known as the Madison Square Garden Company, proposed constructing a similar venue in London, slated to open after the Las Vegas establishment.

“We anticipate that a large-scale, next-generation venue will not only become a premier destination but also stimulate growth in London’s music and entertainment scene. This will benefit artists, fans, and stand as a lasting investment in the vibrant future of this incredible city,” Dolan stated, according to the London Evening Standard.

Plans for a London Sphere eventually came under criticism from the operators of other nearby venue, as well as local advocacy groups concerned about noise, traffic and light pollution. London Mayor Sadiq Khan ultimately rejected the proposal in 2023, with a representative for Khan saying the venue would have “an unacceptable negative impact on local residents,” the BBC reported.

Sphere Entertainment was also involved in discussions to bring other Spheres to places including Tokyo and Seoul, local outlets have reported in recent years, but it’s unclear if those projects are active. A representative for Sphere Entertainment would not comment on any existing plans for Spheres in either city.

Sphere Entertainment is, however, moving ahead with two other Spheres, including a smaller-scale version scheduled to open at National Harbor in Maryland, near the southern tip of D.C. The venue would seat around 6,000 people, but boasts the same LED screens as the Vegas Sphere, both inside and out. A press release issued earlier this year said the venue will also feature immersive sound technology “as well as haptic seating and 4D environmental effects.”

“This will be one of the largest economic development projects in Prince George’s County history — proving once again our state is the best place in the country to bring dreams to life,” Maryland Governor Wes Moore said of the project, which will be paid for with a combination of public and private funds.

Yet another Sphere — this time identical in scale to the Vegas one — is planned for the United Arab Emirates, where it will be located in “a prime spot in Abu Dhabi,” Sphere Entertainment announced in 2024. The venue would open sometime in 2030, Nexstar’s KLAS previously reported.

It’s unlikely that the Spheres in Maryland or the UAE will be the last of their kind, either. In January, Dolan said his company wanted to place more Spheres across “forward-looking cities.”

“The vision for Sphere has always included a global network of venues,” he said in 2024.