Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island will be home to Sphere Abu Dhabi, the first Sphere venue to be built outside the United States, with a construction phase cost of US$1.7 billion.
The Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) and Sphere Entertainment Co. made the announcement on May 14, 2026.
Sphere Abu Dhabi: Everything you need to know about the $1.7bn entertainment venue coming to Yas Island
The venue will sit on a plot between Yas Mall and SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, within walking distance of the island’s existing theme parks and hospitality infrastructure. Construction is scheduled for completion by the end of 2029.
Like the Las Vegas original, which opened in September 2023, Sphere Abu Dhabi will hold up to 20,000 people depending on configuration.
“Abu Dhabi has always built for the long term, and Sphere Abu Dhabi is a powerful demonstration of that commitment. In a region where the appetite for world-class experiences continues to grow, our US$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. 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,” Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi said in a statement.
“Sphere Abu Dhabi is the first step in realising our vision for a global network of venues. 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,” James L. Dolan, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Sphere Entertainment added.
The venue will host three categories of events: Sphere Experiences, the multi-sensory immersive productions that define the Las Vegas model; concert residencies; and marquee events spanning combat sports, conferences, and product launches.
Plans include Sphere Experiences built around Emirati culture and heritage, work by Emirati artists displayed on the Exosphere, the venue’s exterior LED skin, and concerts featuring Arabic and international artists.
DCT Abu Dhabi said the project will be coordinated with a range of government entities, including the Department of Municipalities and Transport, Abu Dhabi Mobility, the Department of Energy, TAQA, Etihad Rail, and Aldar, to align road upgrades, site access, and wider infrastructure with existing Yas Island assets.
The announcement positions Sphere Abu Dhabi alongside the planned Disney theme park resort and the Saadiyat Cultural District as part of Abu Dhabi’s push to build out a portfolio of globally recognisable entertainment and cultural destinations.
DCT Abu Dhabi also noted the venue’s proximity to Zayed International Airport and its potential as a broadcast backdrop during the annual Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Once operational, the venue is expected to create thousands of jobs locally, according to DCT Abu Dhabi.
