Approximately 17,500 seating capacity
Boasts the largest / highest-resolution LED screen in the world
U2 opened the Sphere in September, while Phish has been confirmed for four shows from April 18 -21, 2024.
Other experiences include Darren Aronofsky’s “Postcard From Earth”, an immersive event unlike anything you’ve seen.
6.9 Min Read
About The Sphere
After years of waiting, the Sphere – a $2 billion architectural marvel – is living up to its promises of one-of-a-kind experiences. Boasting the largest digital screen in the world, visitors can catch a free show from their airplane window or (certain) hotels on the Strip.
An Architectural Spectacle
The Sphere is believed to be the world’s largest spherical building. At its widest point, the Sphere is over 500 feet across. The several layers of structured steel underneath also allow the Sphere’s exterior to boast the largest screen ever.
The dome alone required hundreds of workers, several specialty cranes, huge vertical conveyor belts, and over 3,000 tons of steel to construct.
How many people does the Sphere seat?
The venue seats approximately 17,500, plus standing room. In all, the capacity of the venue is approximately 20,000, about the same capacity as the Madison Square Garden in New York.
It has custom spatial audio and haptic seats for the ultimate 4D experience.
Sphere’s seating is theater style, so getting that number of seats into the facility is very vertical. As a result, there are no bad seats in the house from a visual standpoint.
Courtesy Jeff Hollett
What to Expect Inside the Sphere
The interior arena contains the world’s most extensive and highest-resolution LED screen. Encompassing most of the dome, a jigsaw puzzle of screens makes up a 160,000-square-foot LED display.
Nine levels are inside, with an atrium connecting floors two through six. Concession stands are located throughout, but level six has several bars, and level eight might eventually host a full-service restaurant.
The ground level has green rooms and a private nightclub for artists, their guests, and other VIPs.
Where is the Sphere?
The Sphere is just behind the Venetian Las Vegas and has pedestrian access to and from the Venetian and Palazzo. It’s within walking distance of the central and north Strip hotels, including Wynn, Encore, TI, The Mirage (future Hard Rock), and Resorts World.
There are currently stops nearby for the Las Vegas Monorail, with plans to build a separate stop for access to The Venetian and The Sphere.
Limited parking is available on-site, with parking available at the Venetian, Palazzo, and the Sands Expo.
How to Get There
Sphere is just behind the Venetian and Palazzo Las Vegas and has pedestrian access via an above-street pedestrian bridge to and from the Venetian and Palazzo. It’s within walking distance of the central and north Strip hotels, including Wynn, Encore, TI, The Mirage (future Hard Rock), and Resorts World.
There are currently stops nearby for the Las Vegas Monorail, with plans to build a separate stop for access to The Venetian and The Sphere.
Limited parking is available on-site, with parking available at the Venetian, Palazzo, and the Sands Expo. Sphere has a dedicated rideshare drop-off and pick-up location.
Pro Tip: If you can’t make it to Sphere, one great place to view Sphere from The Strip is the pedestrian bridge between Wynn and The Palazzo.
What’s Playing At The Sphere?
Concerts: U2
Four years since their last show, U2 kicked off their “venue launch,” opening The Sphere on September 29, 2023.
U2tickets started at $140, including fees – and have gone much higher, particularly on the resale market
Bono told Apple Music in an interview that he is looking forward to playing The Sphere because it’s a music venue “built for art,” designed “for immersive experiences in cinema and performance.”
The final U2 performances for this tour took place on February 23 & 24 and March 1 & 2, 2024.
Courtesy Jeff Hollett
Courtesy Sphere Entertainment
Sphere Experiences: Postcard From Earth
In addition to U2, the Sphere also hosts immersive experiences.
Dubbed the “Postcard from Earth,” the show promises to be a production unlike any ever seen. With 160,000 speakers throughout the arena, each seat has pristine audio to make attendees feel like they are anywhere in the world.
The Sphere described the production as “a multi-sensory storytelling journey, providing audiences with a first-of-its-kind shared experience at an unparalleled scale.” It “will utilize the full breadth of Sphere’s technological capabilities.”
Postcard from Earth premiered on October 6th and has a run-time of about 60 minutes per show. There are numerous showings throughout the Fall and into next year. They will take place on days when no other events occur.
Tickets for Postcard from Earth are now on sale here.
Phish in Familiar Waters
Phish will perform at Sphere for four nights – April 18-21, 2024. As fans know, Phish shows are each unique. Each of Phish’s four shows at Sphere will feature completely unique setlists and visuals, making every show a truly once-in-a-lifetime audio-visual experience, as long-time fans are aware. According to the Sphere, these dates will be the only shows Phish performs at the venue in 2024.
Dead & Company
Grateful Dead spin-off band Dead & Company, which features former Grateful Dead band members alongside guitarist and pop star John Mayer, will be the next to play the Sphere after Phish.
For the “Dead Forever” residency, the band will play three shows a weekend over eight weeks, beginning May 16-18 and running through July 11-13. According to a press release, six more shows were added in early February due to overwhelming demand. “Each weekend’s three performances will feature a unique setlist,” Dead and Company promises.
Advance pre-sale registration is available here.
The full group features legends Bob Weir and Mickey Hart alongside Mayer, bassist Oteil Burbridge, keyboardist Jeff Chimenti, and drummer Jay Lane.
The Eagles
Building on prior speculation from TMZ and other news outlets, in March 2024, The New York Post reported that The Eagles have agreed to perform at The Sphere following their tour in Spring 2024. The Post is also reporting that the performances will include Don Henley, Joe Walsh, and Timothy B. Schmit. Show dates being reported are ten weekends from September through December.
Potential For The Future: Harry Styles & More
Several rumors about who could play at The Sphere following U2’s residency have been purported. While no shows are on the schedule, Harry Styles is a viable contender.
After selling out a 15-show residency at the Madison Square Garden in New York, it’s been speculated Styles’ could easily pack The Sphere for multiple shows after his current tour concludes in July.
What’s Next?
The property around The Sphere will be a part of the Formula 1 race in November. While the venue’s primary purpose is concerts, the Sphere could also host esports, boxing, or other events.
Locals and visitors alike look forward to the possibilities The Sphere introduces to entertainment in Vegas. With all the fantastic technology and work put into this project, there’s no doubt The Sphere will blow visitors away when it officially opens in September.
