The Sphere in Las Vegas: Everything to know about the massive round structure


Evelyn Lau
  • English
  • Arabic

Images of the Sphere at The Venetian Resort, formerly known as the MSG Sphere, are making waves on social media.

The massive dome, billed as the world’s largest video screen, lit up for the first time during a dazzling Fourth of July display – in addition to this technological marvel, it is also the world’s largest spherical structure.

While there are still a few months for it to officially open, here's everything you need to know about the Sphere.

Where is the Sphere?

Located in Paradise, Nevada, it is very close to the Las Vegas Strip and east of the Venetian resort. It has a pedestrian walkway that connects it to the hotel.

How big is the structure?

It stands at 115 metres tall and 157 metres wide, making it what is considered to be the world’s biggest spherical structure.

When will it open?

The Sphere will officially open on September 29, with a performance by Irish rock band U2, who will also be kicking-off their three-month U2:UV Achtung Baby Live at Sphere residency.

What will the Sphere be used for?

The venue is set to host live events, such as award shows or concerts, as well as films. It can potentially also host sporting events such as boxing or MMA. Starting on October 6, it will host exclusive screenings of Postcard from Earth, a film by Darren Aronofsky that takes viewers on a tour of the planet. The Sphere has a capacity of 18,600 sitting, but can accommodate 20,000 standing.

What is it inside?

The venue’s interior has a unique 16K resolution wraparound LED screen that measures 15,000 square metres, meaning those inside will enjoy a view of the screen from every angle.

“The screen goes from ground to 250 feet high [76 metres], all the way around,” Rich Claffey, Sphere’s operations officer told CNN. “It keeps you fully immersed when you’re sitting in that bowl.”

The Sphere also has 164,000 speakers spread around the bowl designed to offer those in attendance the same level of sound quality. There is also opportunities for 4D experiences with haptic seats that vibrate and machines that can create wind or temperature as well as scent effects.

Who built it?

The Sphere was designed by global architecture firm Populous, who specialise in sporting facilities, arenas and convention centres. They designed Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai, Zayed Sports City Stadium in Abu Dhabi and Emirates Stadium and Etihad Stadium in the UK.

The Las Vegas Review-Journal estimates the project to have cost $2.3 billion.

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The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo hybrid

Transmission: eight-speed automatic

Power: 390bhp

Torque: 400Nm

Price: Dh340,000 ($92,579

THE BIO

Ms Al Ameri likes the variety of her job, and the daily environmental challenges she is presented with.

Regular contact with wildlife is the most appealing part of her role at the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi.

She loves to explore new destinations and lives by her motto of being a voice in the world, and not an echo.

She is the youngest of three children, and has a brother and sister.

Her favourite book, Moby Dick by Herman Melville helped inspire her towards a career exploring  the natural world.

How it works

A $10 hand-powered LED light and battery bank

Device is operated by hand cranking it at any time during the day or night 

The charge is stored inside a battery

The ratio is that for every minute you crank, it provides 10 minutes light on the brightest mode

A full hand wound charge is of 16.5minutes 

This gives 1.1 hours of light on high mode or 2.5 hours of light on low mode

When more light is needed, it can be recharged by winding again

The larger version costs between $18-20 and generates more than 15 hours of light with a 45-minute charge

No limit on how many times you can charge

 

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Explainer: Tanween Design Programme

Non-profit arts studio Tashkeel launched this annual initiative with the intention of supporting budding designers in the UAE. This year, three talents were chosen from hundreds of applicants to be a part of the sixth creative development programme. These are architect Abdulla Al Mulla, interior designer Lana El Samman and graphic designer Yara Habib.

The trio have been guided by experts from the industry over the course of nine months, as they developed their own products that merge their unique styles with traditional elements of Emirati design. This includes laboratory sessions, experimental and collaborative practice, investigation of new business models and evaluation.

It is led by British contemporary design project specialist Helen Voce and mentor Kevin Badni, and offers participants access to experts from across the world, including the likes of UK designer Gareth Neal and multidisciplinary designer and entrepreneur, Sheikh Salem Al Qassimi.

The final pieces are being revealed in a worldwide limited-edition release on the first day of Downtown Designs at Dubai Design Week 2019. Tashkeel will be at stand E31 at the exhibition.

Lisa Ball-Lechgar, deputy director of Tashkeel, said: “The diversity and calibre of the applicants this year … is reflective of the dynamic change that the UAE art and design industry is witnessing, with young creators resolute in making their bold design ideas a reality.”

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THE%20JERSEYS
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Summer special
Winners

Ballon d’Or (Men’s)
Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain / France)

Ballon d’Or Féminin (Women’s)
Aitana Bonmatí (Barcelona / Spain)

Kopa Trophy (Best player under 21 – Men’s)
Lamine Yamal (Barcelona / Spain)

Best Young Women’s Player
Vicky López (Barcelona / Spain)

Yashin Trophy (Best Goalkeeper – Men’s)
Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City / Italy)

Best Women’s Goalkeeper
Hannah Hampton (England / Aston Villa and Chelsea)

Men’s Coach of the Year
Luis Enrique (Paris Saint-Germain)

Women’s Coach of the Year
Sarina Wiegman (England)

Results
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Visit Abu Dhabi culinary team's top Emirati restaurants in Abu Dhabi

Yadoo’s House Restaurant & Cafe

For the karak and Yoodo's house platter with includes eggs, balaleet, khamir and chebab bread.

Golden Dallah

For the cappuccino, luqaimat and aseeda.

Al Mrzab Restaurant

For the shrimp murabian and Kuwaiti options including Kuwaiti machboos with kebab and spicy sauce.

Al Derwaza

For the fish hubul, regag bread, biryani and special seafood soup. 

Details

Through Her Lens: The stories behind the photography of Eva Sereny

Forewords by Jacqueline Bisset and Charlotte Rampling, ACC Art Books

Hili 2: Unesco World Heritage site

The site is part of the Hili archaeological park in Al Ain. Excavations there have proved the existence of the earliest known agricultural communities in modern-day UAE. Some date to the Bronze Age but Hili 2 is an Iron Age site. The Iron Age witnessed the development of the falaj, a network of channels that funnelled water from natural springs in the area. Wells allowed settlements to be established, but falaj meant they could grow and thrive. Unesco, the UN's cultural body, awarded Al Ain's sites - including Hili 2 - world heritage status in 2011. Now the most recent dig at the site has revealed even more about the skilled people that lived and worked there.

Updated: October 16, 2024, 11:37 AM`