The Sphere at the Venetian Resort, previously referred to as MSG Sphere, is a spherical music and entertainment arena in Paradise, Nevada, United States, near the Las Vegas Strip and east of the Venetian resort. Designed by Populous, the project was announced by the Madison Square Garden Company in 2018. The 18,600-seat auditorium is being marketed for its immersive video and audio capabilities, which include a 16K resolution wraparound interior LED screen, speakers with beamforming and wave field synthesis technologies, and 4D physical effects. The venue’s exterior also features 580,000 sq ft (54,000 m²) of LED displays. The Sphere measures 366 feet (112 m) high and 516 feet (157 m) wide at its broadest point.
Construction was underway in 2019, with the opening initially scheduled for 2021. Construction was suspended for several months in 2020, due to supply disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Sphere opened on September 29, 2023, with Irish rock band U2 beginning a 25-show residency called U2:UV Achtung Baby Live at Sphere.
The Sphere is 366 feet (112 m) high and 516 feet (157 m) wide at its broadest point. It is the largest spherical building in the world at 875,000 sq ft (81,300 m²). It includes seating for 18,600 people, and all seats have high speed internet access. Haptic technology is incorporated into 10,000 of the venue’s seats. Seating does not wrap around the entire sphere, instead covering approximately two-thirds of the interior while the stage takes up the remainder. The venue can accommodate 20,000 people in standing capacity. The Sphere has nine levels, including the basement, where a VIP club is located. A total of 23 suites are included, across the third and fifth floors.
The Sphere’s interior is equipped with a 16K resolution wraparound LED screen, measuring 160,000 sq ft (15,000 m²). It is the largest and highest-resolution LED screen in the world. The exterior of the venue features 580,000 sq ft (54,000 m²) of LED display space, which can feature holiday themes, with the Sphere depicting a Halloween jack-o’-lantern or a Christmas snow globe, for instance. Both the interior and exterior screens were manufactured by SACO Technologies, a Canadian company specializing in LED video displays and lighting.
The Sphere features a spatial audio system based on Holoplot’s X1 speaker module, which uses beamforming and wave field synthesis technologies and is equipped with 96 drivers each. The sound system comprises 1,600 X1 speakers that are installed behind the LED panels, along with 300 mobile modules, for a total of 167,000 speaker drivers. The sound system also can deliver sound through the floorboards. 4D features, including scent and wind, can be used.
The arena will primarily host awards shows and concerts, in addition to other entertainment events. Though not designed to fit a traditional arena layout for sports such as basketball and ice hockey, it can host ring sports events such as boxing and mixed martial arts, as well as esports tournaments.
The property includes 304 parking spaces, while additional spaces will be available at the parking garages for the nearby Venetian, Palazzo, and Venetian Expo. A 1,000-foot (300 m) pedestrian bridge will connect the Sphere to the expo, and there are plans to build a new Las Vegas Monorail station to serve the Sphere and the Venetian. However, these plans were put on hold in April 2020, due to the financial impact of the pandemic.
