When someone steps on the Vegas for the first time, it is wrapped by a dazzling show: sources that dance to the rhythm of music, imposing structures and a frenzy that it never seems to go out. But beyond the casinos and bets, there are corners that offer a difficult experience: viewpoints that challenge the vertigo, museums that unravel their history and shows that lead entertainment to another level.
A giant screen in the middle of the desert. The Sphere is not only an auditorium, but a monumental structure designed to offer shows in a completely new way. Its most striking feature is its double LED screens system, which covers both the interior and outside of the building.
Inside, the enclosure is equipped with a 15,000 square meter LED screen, an enveloping surface that allows the space to be transformed into any imaginable scenario, from a starry sky to a futuristic city. Outside, the building’s exosphere has an even larger LED screen, 54,000 square meters. Both were designed by Saco Technologies, a Canadian company specialized in LED video screens and lighting.
U2 at the inauguration of The Sphere
Since its inauguration in September 2023 with a U2 concert, The Sphere has drawn attention both for its size and its technological deployment. During the day, the structure shows great distance images, and at night, its interior houses shows designed to take advantage of its enveloping screen. With capacity for 20,000 people, its format is rare in the entertainment industry.
The cost of costs. Developing such a project was not cheap. The initial budget of The Sphere was 1.2 billion dollars, but ended up costing 2.3 billion, almost twice as planned. To that we must add another problem: not any artist can play there. Unlike a stadium or conventional theater, a show in The Sphere requires audiovisual content specifically designed for its screens. This implies an additional investment in production, which limits the number of events.
The Sphere de Las Vegas in full construction
With these costs in mind, replicating the model in other cities seems complicated. Few companies or governments would be willing to assume such a high investment without guaranteeing money. However, Sphere Entertainment believes having found a solution.
The commitment to smaller versions. To make the most viable model, the company has announced the development of smaller versions of The Sphere. According to Av Magazine, Sphere Entertainment revealed in a call with investors working in ‘Mini-Spheres’ with capacity for 5,000 people. These versions will reduce both construction costs and show production, maintaining the immersive experience of the original enclosure.
It has not yet been confirmed in which cities these new enclosures will be built, but the possibility that some are located outside the United States is real. Abu Dhabi, in fact, will be the first to have a large -scale version, although it remains to be seen when the project will materialize. In any case, The Sphere makes it clear that immersive entertainment has potential, but its expansion will depend on whether the company manages to make its model sustainable without the costs making it unfeasible.
Imágenes | SounderBruce | Lisette ( CC BY-SA 4.0) | Sphere at the Venetian Resort (Instagram)
In WorldOfSoftware | A man has climbed the top of The Sphere in Las Vegas. No one knows how he got it
