Giant illuminated sphere finds a new home after Londoners reject it
London’s planned ‘Las Vegas sphere’ has found a new home in Abu Dhabi after those living in the capital resoundingly rejected it.
The £1.8 billion venue in Las Vegas, with an LED screen wrapping halfway around the whole audience, has already been hugely successful.
There had been plans for a similar illuminated dome in London, but they never came to fruition.
The 300ft-high ‘Crystal Ball’, developed by MSG Sphere London, was going to be built in Stratford, east London, after it was approved by planning officials in 2022.
But last year London Mayor Sadiq Khan said ‘it ‘would result in an unacceptable negative impact on local residents’.
They tried to appease residents with free black out blinds to help mitigate light pollution from the thousands of LED screens.
Now Sphere Entertainment has partnered with the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi.
It is not yet clear exactly when or where in Abu Dhabi the new 20,000 capacity Sphere will arrive, but it promises to rival its Las Vegas counterpart in size and spectacle.
James L. Dolan, executive chairman and chief executive officer of Sphere Entertainment told Time Out: ‘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.’
The sphere is part of Abu Dhabi’s efforts to market itself as a destination for relaxation and entertainment in a bid to enhance its economy.
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The original sphere debuted in Las Vegas in 2023, and is the city’s most expensive entertainment centre.
The sphere is 366 feet tall and 516 feet wide, and is equipped with a huge LED screen.
It is the world’s largest structure and has hosted concerts and sporting events.
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