Las Vegas, United States, Arena

Sphere

The giant glowing ball that reinvented the concert

A 112-metre sphere covered in LEDs outside and wrapped in the world's sharpest screen inside. Since U2 opened it in 2023, a residency here has become the most talked-about ticket in live music.

Capacity: 17,600 seated
Opened: 2023
Architect: Populous
Home of: Concert residencies and immersive films

Getting there

255 Sands Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89169

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Departures

Walk from The VenetianA covered pedestrian bridge links the Venetian and Palazzo to the Sphere, the easiest way in.
Las Vegas MonorailHarrah's/The LINQ station is about a 10-minute walk away.
Rideshare and taxiUse the dedicated pick-up zone on Sands Avenue. Expect surge pricing right after the show.

After the show

Thousands of people leave at once and rideshare prices jump. Walk back through The Venetian for a drink, or stroll down to the Strip and grab a car further away.

Bags and entry

Only small clutches and clear bags are allowed. Larger bags are turned away at the door, so check the event's bag policy first.

On the day

When the gates open

Doors usually open about 1 to 1.5 hours before the show. Security is strict and only small clear bags are allowed, so allow extra time at the entrance.

Eat and drink before

The Venetian Resort
Restaurants of every price range, connected to the Sphere by a pedestrian bridge.
Grand Canal Shoppes
Food court and casual restaurants inside the Venetian, good for a quick meal.
The Strip
Countless buffets and restaurants within walking distance of the venue.

Seating layout

Capacity: 17,600 seated

Tap a tier or the floor to see what it is like

Pitch / stage

Stage / floor

Tier by tier

1
Floor (GA)
Standing in front of the stage. Closest to the band, but you look up at the screen at a steep angle.
2
100 level
Lowest seated level. The back rows sit under the overhang and can lose the top of the screen.
3
200 and 300 levels
The sweet spot. Your eyes line up with the middle of the screen and you see the full image.
4
400 level
The highest and cheapest seats. Steep, but the screen wraps around you completely.

Seating tips

For the Sphere the screen matters more than the stage. Middle levels facing the stage give the most immersive view.
Avoid the back rows of the 100 level, the balcony above cuts off part of the screen.
Floor tickets are great for the band, less so for the visuals. You'll spend the night looking up.

Where to sit

Best for a concert
Middle sections (200 level), centre
The best way to see the full wraparound screen without craning your neck.
On a budget
Upper sections (400 level)
The cheapest seats, and the screen still fills your view.

Tap a year or let the story play

History

01 / 04

2018

Construction starts next to The Venetian resort

Read the full story

Madison Square Garden Entertainment broke ground next to The Venetian in 2018. The pandemic paused construction in 2020, and the final bill came to about 2.3 billion dollars, the most expensive entertainment venue ever built in Las Vegas.

On 4 July 2023 the outer shell, called the Exosphere, lit up for the first time with fireworks and a giant eyeball. Overnight it became the most photographed building on the Strip.

U2 opened the venue on 29 September 2023 with a residency built around their album Achtung Baby. Phish, Dead & Company, the Eagles and the Backstreet Boys followed, and between concerts the Sphere shows films made just for its curved screen.

Legendary nights

Admit one

Sphere

2023

U2:UV Achtung Baby

The opening residency turned the inside of the dome into the Nevada desert, a sky of falling cards and a digital Elvis.

Admit one

Sphere

2023

Postcard from Earth

Darren Aronofsky's film was shot with a camera built for the Sphere and became the venue's daytime show.

Admit one

Sphere

2024

The Eagles move in

One of the best-selling bands in history settled in for a residency that kept adding dates.

Admit one

Sphere

2025

Into the Millennium

The Backstreet Boys proved the Sphere works for pop shows as well as rock spectacles.

Questions fans ask

Which seats are best at the Sphere?

Seats in the middle levels facing the stage give the fullest view of the screen. The back of the 100 level is the one to avoid.

Can I visit the Sphere without a concert?

Yes, the Sphere Experience shows films like Postcard from Earth several times a day.

Is it loud inside?

It's powerful but clear. Haptic seats add vibration, so tell staff if you'd prefer a seat without it.

When do the doors open at the Sphere?

Usually 1 to 1.5 hours before the show. The exact time is on your ticket.

Where are the best seats at the Sphere for a concert?

The middle sections (200 level) near the centre. Seats too close to the front make you look up at the screen.

Did you know?

01 / 04

The inside screen is 16,000 by 16,000 pixels, the highest-resolution LED screen in the world.

Planning the whole trip?

Read our Las Vegas guide: where to stay, getting around, food and local tips.

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Upcoming events at Sphere

Live from Ticketmaster, with full trip prices.

Sphere