Sphere Abu Dhabi takes a step closer to reality

Sphere Abu Dhabi has taken a step closer to reality after the parent company entered into agreements related to construction and development of the venue.

According to James L. Dolan, executive chairman and CEO of Sphere Entertainment Co, the company is now finalizing the preconstruction phase along with the Department of Culture and Tourism — Abu Dhabi (DCT).

“Our goal is to design and operate a venue that’s busy 365 days a year with multiple events on most days. And while we started in Las Vegas, our strategy has always included a global network of sphere venues,” he said at an earnings call.

This will be the second Sphere after the one in Las Vegas, which has a capacity of nearly 20,000. Having opened in 2023, it attracted over 24 million visitors in its first year.

For the three months ended June 30, 2025, the company reported revenues of $282.7 million, an increase of $9.3 million, or 3 percent, as compared to the same period last year.

In addition, the company reported an operating loss of $50.2 million, an improvement of $21.2 million, and adjusted operating income of $61.5 million, an increase of $35.8 million, both as compared to the prior year quarter.

“We continue to execute our strategic priorities to drive long-term profitable growth for our Sphere business. At the same time, we have been making progress with our expansion plans and remain confident in the global opportunity ahead,” Dolan said.

During this period, the Sphere segment generated revenues of $175.6 million, an increase of $24.4 million, or 16 percent, as compared to the prior year quarter.

“Other revenues increased $4.8 million as compared to the prior year quarter, primarily due to the impact of revenues related to bringing the world’s second Sphere to Abu Dhabi,” the company said.

Dolan also elaborated on the company’s plan for setting up smaller spheres, and how the Abu Dhabi structure will have a role to play in it.

“All the content that’s created for Sphere in Vegas and, eventually, Abu Dhabi will also play in any of these small Spheres,” he said.

The company has already completed its design and business model for small-scale spheres, which could be built faster and at lower cost and are already in the market having discussions with potential partners even as it explores locations for these small spheres.