ALEC Engineering and Contracting (Alec) has announced that it has received a Letter of Award (LOA), valued at $1.7 billion, from the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) to build Sphere Abu Dhabi, an iconic immersive entertainment venue on Yas Island.
Construction on the venue is expected to be completed by the end of 2029.
Sphere Abu Dhabi, which will be the first Sphere venue outside the US, will be built on a plot of land between Yas Mall and SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, with lush green surroundings and proximity to other Yas Island theme parks and attractions.
It is expected to become one of the emirate’s most iconic attractions, blending entertainment, technology and culture to deliver immersive productions, major concerts and global events on a scale never before seen in the region.
The project is being set up by DCT Abu Dhabi in partnership with Sphere Entertainment Co.
Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “Abu Dhabi has always built for the long term, and Sphere Abu Dhabi is a powerful demonstration of that commitment. In a region where the appetite for world-class experiences continues to grow, our $1.7 billion investment in its construction phase sends a clear signal: Abu Dhabi is open, ambitious, and unwavering in its direction.
“This project reflects the strength of Abu Dhabi’s international partnerships, built on shared ambition and mutual confidence in what this emirate represents as a global destination. Together, we are creating a venue that will draw our community, visitors, creators and investors to Yas Island and Abu Dhabi for decades to come.”
Sphere Abu Dhabi will host three main categories of events, all powered by Sphere’s advanced experiential technologies: Sphere Experiences, proprietary immersive productions that feature multi-sensory storytelling; concert residencies; and marquee and brand events supported by flexible configurations to host everything from combat sports to conferences to product launches.
DCT Abu Dhabi said it will work with entities including the Department of Municipalities and Transport and its Integrated Transport Centre, the Department of Energy, Taqa, Etihad Rail and Aldar to ensure all components of the masterplan are coordinated with surrounding assets on Yas Island.