Dubai is set to introduce its own version of the iconic Sphere, with a hefty price tag of $2 billion. Named the Dubai Sphere, this ambitious project draws inspiration from the renowned Las Vegas Sphere and aims to highlight Dubai’s remarkable evolution from a desert landscape to a bustling megacity, utilizing advanced 3D light and sound effects.
The project is spearheaded by MGM Resorts, with CEO Bill Hornbuckle expressing confidence that the Dubai Sphere will be “equally compelling as the Las Vegas Sphere.” Although plans for this project have been in development since 2017 and received approval from the Emirate’s ruler, progress has been gradual. However, a construction contract was awarded this year, marking a significant step forward.
Hornbuckle explained that the Dubai Sphere will feature three MGM Resorts brands—MGM, Bellagio, and Aria—positioned on a large podium with the Sphere at its center. While it won’t be as massive as its Las Vegas counterpart, it promises to be equally engaging. The venue will include 300 seats and a mini showroom, showcasing various visual experiences typical of a Sphere.
🇦🇪 MINI-SPHERE COMING TO DUBAI
MGM plans to build a Sphere that is ‘equally compelling as Las Vegas Sphere’.
The Sphere is apart of MGM Resorts $2 billion project in Dubai that has been in the works since 2017.
The Sphere will be smaller than the venue in Las Vegas in terms of… pic.twitter.com/oi2QeA3CVi
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) September 24, 2024
The Sphere is designed to tell the story of Dubai’s remarkable transformation over the past few decades. Hornbuckle noted, “The first time I went, I thought Dubai was Las Vegas on steroids.” He highlighted the contrast, stating, “In 1985, it was desert, and literally 35 years later, it’s this ‘megatropolis’ with three million people. We’re going to tell that story.”
Standing at 110 meters, the Dubai Sphere will be slightly smaller than its Las Vegas counterpart, which measures 112 meters in height. The venue is expected to accommodate up to 300 guests simultaneously. It will be strategically located on Bluewaters Island, within a luxurious complex featuring the MGM, Bellagio, and Aria hotels.
