![\"Entertainment](\"https:\/\/www.digitalmusicnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/james-dolan-sphere-secures-1-7b-investment-for-abu-dhabi-expansion-1024x576.png\" "\\"Entertainment\\"")
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Photo Credit: PRNewsFoto \/ Department of Culture and Tourism \u2013 Abu Dhabi<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Entertainment Abu Dhabi\u2019s 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.<\/h2>\n
The Department of Culture and Tourism \u2013 Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) and Sphere Entertainment have announced<\/a> 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\u2019s position as a tourist destination.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cThis project reflects the strength of Abu Dhabi\u2019s international partnerships, built on shared ambition and mutual confidence in what this emirate represents as a global destination,\u201d he added. \u201cTogether, 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.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSphere Abu Dhabi is the first step in realizing our vision for a global network of venues,\u201d said James Dolan, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Sphere Entertainment. \u201cAbu 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.\u201d<\/p>\n Located a short drive from Zayed International Airport, Sphere Abu Dhabi aims to be a welcoming gateway to the emirate\u2019s culture and entertainment offerings. With its proximity to Yas Island\u2019s other hospitality and entertainment infrastructure, Sphere Abu Dhabi will reinforce Yas Island as a global events destination.<\/p>\n 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<\/a>, Etihad Rail, and Aldar<\/a> to ensure all components of the plan, including road enhancements, site access, and site-wide infrastructure, are coordinated with surrounding assets on Yas Island.<\/p>\n<\/section><\/div>\n\u201cAbu Dhabi has always built for the long term, and Sphere Abu Dhabi is a powerful demonstration of that commitment,\u201d said HE Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi. \u201cIn 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.\u201d<\/h4>\n
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.<\/h4>\n