DCT Abu Dhabi hands ALEC a $1.7 billion letter of award for the first Sphere venue outside the United States, due to open on Yas Island in 2029.
Sphere Abu Dhabi will be the first Sphere venue outside the US, and the contract to build it is now signed. ALEC Holdings has confirmed its subsidiary, ALEC Engineering and Contracting LLC-SPC, secured the main construction contract from the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), with the total project value estimated at approximately $1.7 billion.
The venue will rise between Yas Mall and SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, with a capacity of up to 20,000. Programming will span immersive productions, concert residencies, sporting spectacles and brand events. Yas Island already hosts Ferrari World, SeaWorld Abu Dhabi and the Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix circuit – making this a significant addition to an already dense leisure cluster.
Under the letter of award, ALEC is responsible for full design, procurement and construction of Sphere Abu Dhabi, including advanced immersive technology systems, complex structural engineering and integrated sustainable building solutions. Completion is expected in the third quarter of 2029, with the financial impact reflected progressively in ALEC’s results during the execution period.
Barry Lewis, chief executive of ALEC Holdings, said: ‘It’s a world-class venue that’s rooted here, built here, and managed by a company committed to the emirate’s long-term vision.’
The original Sphere, which launched in Las Vegas in 2023, is the largest spherical structure in the world, with an exterior featuring 580,000 square feet of LED lighting. Sphere Vegas has hosted immersive concerts by U2, the Eagles and Backstreet Boys. Abu Dhabi’s version is jointly developed by DCT Abu Dhabi and Sphere Entertainment Co., with DCT Abu Dhabi financing the project.
DCT Abu Dhabi will coordinate with the Department of Municipalities and Transport, the Department of Energy, Taqa, Etihad Rail and Aldar to align road improvements, site access and infrastructure development with other Yas Island assets. That level of multi-agency co-ordination points to a venue built for serious visitor volumes from day one.
Images: copyright to Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi
