Las Vegas Sphere Owners Plan Smaller Venues Across US Cities

The Las Vegas Sphere owners, Sphere Entertainment, are embarking on a huge project to construct a chain of small venues, known as “mini-spheres,” in cities across the United States. This development was disclosed by CEO James Dolan last month during an earnings call, when he announced that these smaller arenas would accommodate around 5,000, considerably smaller than the flagship Las Vegas arena, which holds 17,600 and can accommodate 20,000 with the addition of standing room.
Designs for the mini-spheres have yet to be completed, but Sphere Entertainment has already begun searching for host cities. The goal is to create more open spaces that are able to accommodate a wider range of performers and patrons and alleviate some of the operational challenges of the larger Sphere in Las Vegas. Exorbitant operating cost by the existing venue has limited the artists who can perform there, as well as the mechanics of staging shows that utilize its beautiful LED technology.
The Las Vegas Sphere has been making headlines since opening in September 2023, hosting large acts like U2 and reaping massive revenues. It has also incurred financial deficits, such as a reported $98.4 million loss in its first year. Thus, the introduction of mini-spheres is seen as a strategic move to offset these losses and enhance the brand presence.
Dolan pointed out that by keeping the venues smaller and attendant cost, Sphere Entertainment is hoping to offer facilities that not only save on cost but can also offer an equivalent immersive experience to their large counterpart. The state-of-the-art technology that defines the Sphere experience—complete with massive LED screens and high-end sound systems—will be preserved in these smaller versions.
In addition to opportunity for ventures in the U.S., plans for a new Sphere in Abu Dhabi are also underway, once more demonstrating Sphere Entertainment’s commitment to launching its unique entertainment model globally. The company aims to leverage its existing technology and brand equity while offering more localized options for the audience and artists as well.