Anyone who has visited the Las Vegas strip lately has likely noticed the massive 388-foot-tall structure being constructed beside the Venetian Hotel. When completed, the MSG Sphere will be the largest spherical structure in the world and will provide numerous new entertainment options for Las Vegas tourists. While the company behind the Sphere has been tight-lipped about all the details, some new details have just been released. Here is what we know so far.
The MSG Sphere is a project from Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp., the same company that operates some of the country’s most popular venues, including Radio City Music Hall, The Chicago Theatre, and of course, Madison Square Garden. The orb-shaped venue will have a capacity of between 17,500 and 20,000, making it one of the largest venues on the Las Vegas Strip. This might be the most over-the-top move yet in a city where the bar is already set pretty high.
By incorporating state-of-the-art audio and visual elements along with a massive, wraparound LED screen, the MSG Sphere will be able to host a variety of entertainment. Both live acts and custom-produced immersive media experiences will benefit from the unique design and elements. There will also be multi-sensory features, including changing smells and temperatures, to further immerse guests into the experience. Additionally, the entire exterior of the Sphere is fully programable, meaning the structure and whatever is displayed on it will be seen from all over the strip.
Originally targeted for a 2021 opening, Covid-related delays and supply issues have pushed back the project’s completion. Over five years after it was initially announced, it looks like the Sphere will be ready for a September 2023 opening.
The MSG Sphere will offer a whole new level of entertainment for tourists in Las Vegas. While the impressive glowing globe itself might be a big enough attraction to draw some visitors, it will also host big-name music and entertainment acts, as well as an original production from a yet-to-be-named Hollywood director.
MSG Entertainment also opened a dedicated studio in California to produce original, sphere-specific content that can take full advantage of all the venue’s features. So tourists can expect one-of-a-kind, top-notch performances, audio, and visuals when visiting the Sphere.
So far, the only confirmed act is U2. The news was shared during a Super Bowl commercial announcing the Irish band’s upcoming shows at the Sphere. U2 will be the first group to perform in the venue once it opens, and hope to bring the live music experience to the next level.
With a capacity of 20,000, the MSG Sphere has the potential to attract big-name performers who can take up residency. While plenty of well-known artists have residencies at venues in Las Vegas, many of them are nostalgic performers who couldn’t necessarily fill 20,000 seats for multiple nights in a row.
The company has stated its intention to have between 4 and 6 residency headliners each year, with each artist performing between 10-12 shows at a time.