politics
UAE to Host First Sphere Venue Outside the U.S.
The United Arab Emirates will build the first Sphere entertainment venue outside the United States in Abu Dhabi. Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, the executive leading the project, discussed the plans in an interview with CNN's Becky Anderson. The announcement was made on May 14, 2026.
May 14, 11:28 AM·1m read2 sources
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Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, the executive overseeing the development, spoke with CNN's Becky Anderson about bringing the distinctive spherical entertainment and performance space to the city. The venue follows the original Sphere that opened in Las Vegas in 2023.
The project represents an expansion of the Sphere concept, which features advanced audiovisual technology and large-scale immersive experiences. Construction details, including timeline and cost, were not disclosed in the interview.
The original Sphere in Las Vegas has hosted concerts, residencies and visual productions since its opening. Its exterior is covered in programmable LED lights, while the interior includes one of the world's largest high-resolution screens. Al Mubarak described the Abu Dhabi location as the first international iteration of the venue.
The interview, which ran approximately six and a half minutes, focused on the project's significance for the UAE's entertainment sector. The development comes as Abu Dhabi continues to expand its cultural and tourism offerings, including museums, performance venues and sporting events.
No opening date for the new Sphere has been announced.
