The MSG Sphere Las Vegas officially opened its facilities with a U2 concert that included visuals created by designer Es Devlin, artist John Gerrard, and others, projected on a wraparound screen measuring 15,000 square meters. Designed by the architectural firm Populous and completed in July, this entertainment installation stands as the world’s largest spherical structure, with its entire exterior and much of its interior covered in giant LED screens.

A unique feature of Sphere, a state-of-the-art entertainment venue, is the Exosphere, which will showcase a variety of artistic and branded content. This content will be visible not only to Sphere visitors and the over 40 million people who visit Las Vegas each year but also captured in photographs and shared worldwide through social media.

Besides its impressive visual appeal, producers ensure exceptional audio quality for visitors, as the Sphere boasts over 160,000 speakers distributed throughout the venue. Additionally, the venue will offer 4D experiences with vibrating seats and wind machines.

Rendered cross section of MSG Sphere. Courtesy of Madison Square Garden Company

Located just one block east of the famous Las Vegas Strip, the stunning Sphere sets records with its 366-foot height and 516-foot width. Not only is it the largest sphere, but its interior is said to have the largest LED lights, with 1.2 million hockey puck-sized lights. The venue can accommodate nearly 18,000 people and will be connected to the Strip via a pedestrian walkway linking it to the Venetian resort.

The dome’s structure required 3,000 tons of steel, with the installation of 32 trusses, each weighing 100 tons. Half of the trusses were installed in May 2021, and the crane had to be moved to the south side of the property to install the rest, a process that took two days. The dome was completed on June 18, 2021, and work began simultaneously on an external exosphere surrounding it. This exosphere is made up of LED light panels visible from several miles away.

After completing the steel framework of the roof, it was filled with concrete, 10 inches thick and weighing approximately 10,000 tons. The roof was completed in October 2021, and teams focused on a 730-ton steel inner frame that would support the LED screens and audio system. These inner frame works continued into 2022.

The second topping-out ceremony occurred for the exosphere on May 24, 2022, followed by the installation of interior and exterior LED screens. The exterior screens were first lit on July 4, 2023, during Independence Day celebrations, and the Sphere quickly went viral due to its display of images.

Screen by Es Devlin closing the inaugural show. Courtesy of Kevin Mazur

Videos of a work of art by John Gerrard. Courtesy of Stufish

The construction of the MSG Sphere in Las Vegas has been a monumental achievement in engineering and technology. From its iconic spherical shape to its groundbreaking LED technology and advanced audio system, the Sphere represents an impressive milestone in the world of live entertainment. With its capacity to host spectacular events and its innovative design, it has raised the standard for entertainment venues and captivated the imagination of people worldwide.