The project will come up on a site positioned between Yas Mall and SeaWorld Abu Dhabi. The area is already home to attractions including Ferrari World, Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, major hotels and the Yas Marina Circuit while Zayed International Airport is located a short drive away.
Authorities have estimated the construction cost at around $1.7 billion with completion targeted by the end of 2029, Arabian Business reported.
Once operational, Sphere Abu Dhabi is expected to host up to 20,000 people, depending on the nature and format of events.
Officials said the venue is being integrated into a broader infrastructure expansion plan involving multiple government and semi-government entities, including Abu Dhabi Mobility, the Department of Energy, TAQA, Etihad Rail and Aldar.
Planned upgrades include road improvements, utility development and enhanced access to the site which will be aimed at supporting heavy visitor movement on Yas Island during concerts, Formula 1 weekends, retail rushes and holiday periods.
The development comes as Abu Dhabi continues to see strong growth in tourism. As per the report, the emirate recorded 26.6 million visitors in 2025, while hotel revenues climbed to AED 9.1 billion. Hotel occupancy levels also reached 81% during the year.
Sphere Abu Dhabi was first announced in October 2024, when plans for the second Sphere venue globally were revealed. The partnership moved into a more advanced phase in July 2025 after DCT Abu Dhabi and Sphere Entertainment finalised agreements related to franchise rights, development and pre-opening services.
According to the project structure, DCT Abu Dhabi will finance the construction of the venue, while Sphere Entertainment will provide the technology, proprietary designs, intellectual property and support services required for the project.
The venue is expected to host three main categories of events, including immersive Sphere Experiences, concert residencies and large-scale events such as combat sports, conferences and product launches.
Plans also include programming focused on Emirati culture, along with opportunities for local artists to showcase work on the Exosphere, the venue’s large external LED display system.
Regulatory filings also showed that DCT Abu Dhabi will pay franchise-related fees linked to construction milestones, followed by quarterly royalty payments after the venue opens. The agreement additionally grants Abu Dhabi exclusive rights to develop and operate Sphere venues across the Middle East and North Africa for at least 10 years after the Abu Dhabi launch.
