The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and Sphere Entertainment Co. (NYSE: SPHR) announced that Yas Island will host Sphere Abu Dhabi, with construction costs of $1.7 billion. The venue is expected to be completed by the end of 2029.

Sphere Abu Dhabi will be the first Sphere venue outside the United States, located between Yas Mall and SeaWorld Abu Dhabi. The facility will have a capacity of up to 20,000 people depending on event configuration.

The venue will host immersive experiences, concert residencies, sporting events and brand activations. The exterior LED screen, called the Exosphere, will display Emirati art and cultural content. Programming will include local and Arabic artists alongside international performers.

Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi, stated that the project represents Abu Dhabi's commitment to long-term development and will serve as a platform for Emirati culture and talent. James L. Dolan, Executive Chairman and CEO of Sphere Entertainment, described Abu Dhabi as a natural location for expanding the Sphere network globally.

The venue will utilize Sphere's experiential technologies for multi-sensory storytelling and flexible event configurations. Once operational, Sphere Abu Dhabi is projected to create thousands of local jobs.

The first Sphere venue opened in Las Vegas in September 2023. Sphere Entertainment has also announced plans for additional venues in Abu Dhabi and National Harbor.

DCT Abu Dhabi will coordinate with multiple government entities and organizations to ensure infrastructure development aligns with existing Yas Island attractions and transportation networks.