Abu Dhabi to Host Sphere Entertainment Venues Across MENA
The Sphere concept, first unveiled in Las Vegas in 2023, represents the cutting edge of immersive entertainment, blending high-definition visuals, advanced technology, and large-scale architecture. The venue's design allows for an unparalleled experience, featuring 16K-resolution wraparound screens that deliver visual content in extraordinary detail. Standing 115 metres tall and spanning 157 metres in width, these venues are expected to revolutionise how live events and experiences are perceived by audiences.
The first venue in Las Vegas has already set a new benchmark for immersive entertainment. Its colossal scale, capable of accommodating up to 20,000 people, coupled with the seamless integration of audiovisual technology, positions the Sphere as a game-changer in the entertainment industry. The venue's architecture alone has garnered attention for its futuristic design, merging art, technology, and entertainment into a single immersive experience.
ADVERTISEMENT
The partnership with DCT Abu Dhabi reflects the growing demand for sophisticated entertainment solutions in the MENA region, which has seen a steady rise in investments in the tourism and entertainment sectors. Abu Dhabi, as part of its broader economic diversification strategy, is positioning itself as a global hub for culture and innovation. The development of Sphere venues aligns with the emirate's ambitious vision to become a prominent player on the world entertainment stage.
The deal is expected to bring significant economic benefits to the region. It will create thousands of jobs across the MENA region, not only in the construction phase but also in the ongoing operation of the venues. The venues themselves are poised to become high-demand destinations for concerts, live events, immersive experiences, and corporate gatherings, attracting both local and international visitors.
This partnership also strengthens the growing relationship between the UAE and global entertainment companies, further enhancing the country's status as an entertainment powerhouse. The Sphere is expected to complement other high-profile projects in the region, including the Louvre Abu Dhabi and the upcoming Guggenheim Museum, which reinforce the UAE's commitment to fostering a thriving cultural and entertainment scene.
While specific locations for the MENA venues have yet to be announced, the move represents an ambitious step forward in Abu Dhabi's strategy to become a leader in both tourism and cultural engagement. The integration of state-of-the-art technology, such as virtual reality and immersive media, promises to elevate the entertainment experience in the region to levels never seen before.
The arrival of Sphere venues in MENA is expected to attract a diverse range of events, from major international concerts and theatrical performances to groundbreaking multimedia experiences that push the boundaries of traditional entertainment. These venues could also serve as a platform for local talent, offering them access to state-of-the-art technology to showcase their work on an unprecedented scale.
Abu Dhabi's investment in immersive entertainment venues comes at a time when the global entertainment industry is undergoing a significant transformation. With advancements in digital technology and an increased focus on creating experiences that blend physical and virtual realities, the demand for innovative, high-tech entertainment options has never been greater. The introduction of Sphere venues in the MENA region is a direct response to this shift, positioning Abu Dhabi as a leader in the future of live entertainment.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Zawya
2 hours ago
- Zawya
Stocks take a breather, Fed rate-cut drumbeat weighs on dollar
LONDON/SINGAPORE - Traders ramped up Fed rate cut bets on Thursday, pinning the dollar near multi-week lows, while a global stock rally paused as investors awaited data on U.S. producer prices later in the day that may show how tariffs are impacting inflation trends. MSCI's global share index flatlined, after hitting all-time peaks for the two previous sessions, while an equivalent gauge of Asian equities outside Japan lingered near its loftiest level since September 2021. Futures markets signaled Wall Street stocks were set for a muted start, having led global shares higher all week and hit records on Tuesday and Wednesday. This blistering global rally has been fueled by strong U.S. tech earnings and speculation that Federal Reserve rate cuts will help protect businesses and households from the impact of White House tariffs. Traders now see a September cut as almost certain, per CME's FedWatch tool, and the U.S. administration is continuing to pressure the Fed to ease more quickly. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Wednesday that the Fed funds rate, which has been in a range of 4.25%-4.5% since December, should be as much as 175 bps lower. Monthly U.S. jobs data came in surprisingly weak on Aug. 1, but a U.S. producer prices report later on Thursday could shift the market's focus towards the risks of tariffs taking inflation too high for the Fed to cut rates, investors said. About 70% of global investors expect U.S. stagflation to become the dominant market narrative within three months, a Bank of America survey found this week. "Inflation is starting to come through. It's not massive yet but that could certainly continue in coming months and amplify that part of the story," Russell Investments global chief investment strategist Paul Eitelman said. U.S. Treasury markets show investors are growing queasy about the damage higher-for-longer inflation could wreak on longer-dated debt, by eroding the real value of bonds' fixed-interest coupons over time. Two-year Treasury yields, which track monetary policy bets, traded at 3.67% on Thursday, down from about 3.95% at the beginning of August. But yields on 30-year Treasuries, which are the most sensitive to inflation expectations, are now 112 bps higher than the two-year notes, with the yield differential having risen from about 95bps on Aug. 1. SOGGY DOLLAR The U.S. dollar was struggling to make headway from a two-week low against a basket of major currencies on Thursday and Japan's yen made broad based gains, hitting its strongest in three weeks at 146.38 per dollar. This came after Bessent said the Bank of Japan would raise interest rates because it was behind the curve in dealing inflation risks. The BOJ has so far justified keeping borrowing costs ultra-low because its underlying inflation measure that focuses on domestic demand and wages is below its target and it wants more clarity on how U.S. tariffs will impact exporters. The euro stood at $1,16722, nudging off the previous day's two-week high while European government debt largely tracked moves in Treasuries. Germany's 10 year yield was down 2 bps at 2.66%. EYES ON UKRAINE Commodities markets were subdued ahead of Friday's summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Trump on Wednesday threatened "severe consequences" if Putin did not agree to peace in Ukraine and has also floated the idea of a second summit that would include Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. Brent crude, the global oil marker, traded at around $65.86 a barrel on Thursday, just off a two-month low and down from almost $70 in early August. Spot gold prices, which tend to rise when investors focus on geopolitical risks, fell about 0.5% to $3,3925 per troy ounce. Goldman Sachs analysts wrote in a note to clients that lack of progress towards a Ukraine ceasefire could lead to renewed White House sanctions on Russian oil but this would only cause a "limited risk" of supply disruptions. J.P. Morgan strategists said a peace deal could lift the euro against the dollar but warned that the bar for achieving a ceasefire was high. (Reporting by Naomi Rovnick in London and Jaspreet Kalra in Singapore; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman, Kim Coghill and Christina Fincher)
Zawya
2 hours ago
- Zawya
Egypt: Cabinet approves rules for committees assessing residential rental areas
Arab Finance: The Egyptian cabinet has approved the rules and regulations governing committees tasked with assessing areas containing residential rental properties under Law No. 164 of 2025, as per a statement. The draft Prime Ministerial decree defines key terms, including 'rented premises,' referring to properties leased for residential purposes under the new law, and 'conflict of interest cases,' which cover situations where committee members or their first-degree relatives are owners or tenants in the area under review or have personal interests that could affect their work. It also introduces a point-based evaluation system, classifying areas as premium with a score of over 80 points, medium with a score from 40 to 80 points, and economic areas that received a total score below 40 points. According to the resolution, governors will form one or more inventory committees led by senior officials and including technical and legal experts, as well as representatives from the Ministry of Housing, Utilities, and Urban Communities, the Egyptian General Survey Authority, and the Real Estate Tax Authority. Committees will operate daily, excluding holidays, and must record detailed minutes of their work. The committees will divide areas into the three categories based on criteria such as location, building quality, average unit size, available utilities, road and transport networks, and public services. The annual rental value of properties, as defined under the Built Property Tax Law, will also be considered. Their findings must be completed within three months of the law's effective date and published in the Egyptian Gazette. Minister of Housing, Utilities, and Urban Communities Sherif El-Sherbiny announced that tenants meeting the eligibility requirements for alternative units under Article 8 of the law can apply starting October 1st via a unified electronic platform or through post offices nationwide, with applications open for three months. Applicants will be able to track their requests, complete documentation, and update information through their electronic accounts.
What's On
4 hours ago
- What's On
Meet the humanoid robot spotted running around Dubai
You may have seen videos or pictures of a human-like robot walking across the roads of Dubai, or even running in Dubai mall. The robot has even met Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. So what actually is the robot and what can it do? Meet Unitree G1, a humanoid robot that comes with a trusty companion, a robot dog. The robot comes from Unitree, a China-based robotics firm and their Middle East partner Ednex Automation. The details: The robot is about 130cms tall and weighs about 35kg, it's made up of 43 pieces which gives it a lot of freedom for movement. Battery life is about 2 hours and it can move at about 2 metres per second. What can it do? The G1 robot can walk, run jump and squat like a human. It has three 'fingers' and can grip objects. There is a video on the Unitree website of it opening a bottle of Coca-Cola and crushing nuts. The robot has 360 degree cameras enabling it to take in its environment. It can interact with humans in the form of waving and it also has a microphone and speaker to listen and communicate. Where to find it? Keep your eyes peeled and you might be able to spot the robot walking around Dubai. According to WAM, it will soon be in the Museum of the Future for tourists and residents to witness. How to get one? You can buy a G1 robot from Unitree for price from Dhs59,000 Also read: Dubai announces world's first AI chef Image: Khaleej Times/Unitree > Sign up for FREE to get exclusive updates that you are interested in
