The Sphere, a state-of-the-art venue in Las Vegas, has reported impressive results in its first full quarter of operation. The Sphere, which opened in September 2023, has hosted 17 concerts by U2 and a Formula One event, generating $55.2 million in revenue. The Sphere also offers a daily Sphere Experience program, featuring the original film Postcard from Earth by Darren Aronofsky, which has brought in $44.5 million in revenue so far.
U2: UV Achtung Baby Live at Sphere
One of the main attractions of the Sphere is the U2 residency, titled U2: UV Achtung Baby Live at Sphere. The Irish rock band has performed 17 shows at the Sphere, celebrating the 30th anniversary of their album Achtung Baby. The shows have been praised for their innovative use of the Sphere’s technology, which includes the world’s largest interior and exterior wraparound LED displays, 160,000 speakers, and sensory effects. The Sphere allows U2 to create a immersive and interactive experience for the fans, who can see, hear, and feel the music in a new way. The U2 concerts have grossed $30.7 million and sold 281,000 tickets, averaging $1.8 million per show.
Formula One and the Sphere Experience
Another highlight of the Sphere’s first quarter was the Formula One event, which coincided with the inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix in October 2023. The Sphere hosted a series of activities and parties for the F1 fans, featuring live performances, DJ sets, and exclusive access to the Sphere’s facilities. The Sphere also partnered with F1 to create a special Sphere Experience program, which included a screening of Postcard from Earth, a film by acclaimed director Darren Aronofsky. Postcard from Earth is a narrative documentary that showcases the beauty and diversity of our planet, using stunning visuals and sounds from the Sphere’s technology. The film has been shown 111 times at the Sphere, generating $44.5 million in revenue, averaging $400,000 per screening.
The Sphere’s Future Plans
The Sphere’s success in its first quarter has demonstrated its potential as a new destination for entertainment and innovation in Las Vegas. The Sphere’s executive chairman and CEO, James Dolan, said that the Sphere expects to turn a profit in the current quarter ending Dec. 31, 2023. The Sphere also announced that it has secured a number of brand campaigns for its exosphere, the globe that visitors see outside the venue. The exosphere features a giant LED screen that can display advertisements and messages. The Sphere has signed deals with NFL Sunday Ticket, PlayStation, Meta, Xbox, and Coca-Cola, among others. The Sphere also revealed that it is working on developing more original content and shows for its Sphere Experience program, as well as attracting more artists and events to its venue.
