It’s official: The city of Abu Dhabi will soon be home to a second Sphere venue.

Sphere Entertainment Co., the owner and operator of the Las Vegas Sphere, and Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism have agreed to build a new Sphere in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) capital city.

• READ MORE: How Las Vegas’ Sphere is inspiring fulldome performances around the globe

Located in a “prime spot” in Abu Dhabi and “echoing the scale of the 20,000-capacity Sphere in Las Vegas”, the new Sphere is expected to be a major year-round draw for both residents and visitors from around the globe.

“The vision for Sphere has always included a global network of venues, and today’s announcement is a significant milestone toward that goal,” says James L. Dolan, executive chairman and CEO of Sphere Entertainment.

A second Sphere location is expected to provide significant growth potential and drive new revenue streams for the company. It will also offer Dolan and his team a chance to recoup some of their production costs from a new audience via projects like Postcard from Earth, a multi-sensory film produced specifically for the Dome-shaped venue that   helped generate more than $1 million in average daily ticket sales on the days it ran in the latest fiscal quarter.

Concerts can also be staged at both the Las Vegas and Abu Dhabi Spheres to lower the costs of producing content for the venue.

H.E. Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi, says: “This partnership aligns with our Tourism Strategy 2030, further establishing Abu Dhabi as a vibrant hub for culture and innovation. By embracing cutting-edge entertainment like Sphere, we’re not only elevating our global profile but also setting new standards in immersive experiences and cultural offerings.”

Under the terms of the partnership, which is subject to finalisation of definitive agreements, DCT Abu Dhabi will pay Sphere Entertainment a franchise initiation fee for the right to build the venue, utilising Sphere Entertainment’s proprietary designs, technology, and intellectual property.

Construction will be funded by DCT Abu Dhabi, with Sphere Entertainment’s team of experts providing services related to development, construction, and pre-opening of the venue.

Learn more about about the Las Vegas Sphere at thesphere.com.

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