It didn’t take long for the rest of the world to get jealous over the Las Vegas sphere, and what is perhaps less surprising is that Abu Dhabi won the bidding war over London to get its own. Although no official date has been announced for the titanic orb’s completion, one can only assume that blue prints have already been drawn, with construction commencing soon enough.
For those who have yet to see the capacity and technological wonder of the venue (officially pronounced as Sphere, with no “the” in front) the UFC had their first event at Sphere just last month on September 14 for UFC 306; those in attendance all seemed to echo the same reaction: wow.
“This partnership aligns with our Tourism Strategy 2030, further establishing Abu Dhabi as a vibrant hub for culture and innovation,” said H.E. Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi. “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.”
The giant, circular structure, which was completed in September 2023 and had a budget of over $2 billion (AED 7.3 billion), has seen a lucrative first year of engagement although it will take some time until the venue starts raking in profit. On top of UFC 306, legendary rock band U2 had an initial residency at Sphere, followed by the current residency of The Eagles.
Multi-Oscar nominated Darren Aronofsky,’s Postcards From Earth is currently showing at the venue, alongside a U2 concert film.
“Following the venue’s opening, Sphere Entertainment plans to maintain ongoing arrangements with DCT Abu Dhabi that are expected to include annual fees for creative and artistic content licensed by Sphere Entertainment, such as Sphere Experiences; use of Sphere’s brand, patents, proprietary technology, and intellectual property; and operational services related to venue operations and technology, as well as commercial and strategic advisory support,” said James L. Dolan, executive chairman and CEO of Sphere Entertainment, in a statement. “The vision for Sphere has always included a global network of venues, and today’s announcement is a significant milestone toward that goal. Sphere is redefining live entertainment and extending the reach of its transformative impact. We are proud to collaborate with DCT Abu Dhabi to develop Sphere in their city.”
Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Riyadh continue their respective pursuit of entertainment capital of the Middle East, if not the world. But considering Dana White’s admiration for Abu Dhabi, one can only assume he’ll call first dibs on hosting a UFC event at the UAE Sphere.