The Sphere is a billionaire’s brainchild, it was conceived by the owner of Madison Square Garden and the NY Knicks and the Rangers, James Dolan.

His associate David Dibble told Rolling Stone magazine about the design. “The venue seems geared for residencies and special projects that could fully exploit its capabilities. The video screen arcs up and over the audience “like planetarium times ten,” Dibble says, adding up to “the largest display ever imagined on Earth.” (And unlike a planetarium, it’s made of LED panels, rather than projected from the ground.)

But Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer David Byrnes stopped short of saying which entertainer would open the $2.2 billion entertainment venue east of The Venetian.

He also did not reveal the subject of its first film attraction during the company’s second-quarter earnings call. “We’re in active discussions regarding a wide variety of event types, including music residencies and expect to have our first residency help us open the venue in September,” Byrnes said.

MSG Sphere opening in 2023

MSG Sphere at the Venetian, to be completed in September 2023, is adjacent to the vast Venetian Hotel and Casino. It’s North America’s largest resort under one roof which welcomes millions of people each year – and a pedestrian bridge will connect the venue to The Venetian Expo Center.

It’s a perfectly round sphere with an exterior that showcases millions of screens, and on the inside, there are additional screens, stages, and more. 

The complex will seat 17,000 or hold 20,000 standing guests, at 366 feet tall and 516 feet wide. According to a release from MSG, “MSG Sphere is expected to attract a wide variety of artists and content, delivering something for everyone including attractions, concert residencies, corporate events, award shows, product launches, and select sporting events.”

By Max Hartshorne