Developed by MGM, it will be situated on the same island as the MGM Grand, Bellagio, and Aria…
Earlier this year, we discovered that significant progress is being made on Wasl’s megaproject, The Island—a Las Vegas-style destination featuring an MGM Grand, Bellagio, and Aria, which will add a total of 1,400 more hotel rooms. To enhance the Vegas vibe, MGM CEO Bill Hornbuckle has announced that the island will also include the ‘Dubai Sphere,’ a Middle Eastern version of the spectacular Vegas Sphere.
According to Skift, Hornbuckle announced at the Skift Global Forum on September 19 that the Dubai Sphere will be positioned at the center of the three Dubai hotels. While it will be slightly smaller, MGM CEO Hornbuckle assures it will be “equally as compelling.” The Las Vegas Sphere stands at 112 meters tall and accommodates 18,600 guests, whereas initial plans for the Dubai Sphere indicated it would be 110 meters tall with seating for just 300, as reported by Skift.
Hornbuckle explained that the Dubai Sphere will “have a show line that walks through the history of Dubai,” narrating the emirate’s transformation from a desert into the thriving megatropolis it is today.
The Dubai Sphere will not be affiliated with Sphere Entertainment and has no connection to the original in Las Vegas. For now, it will be developed by MGM as part of their mega island complex, situated next to the Burj Al Arab.
When will it open?
While no opening date has been provided for the Dubai Sphere, it is expected to align with the rest of the island’s timeline. Although the exact date remains uncertain, MGM’s CEO confirmed that progress is underway. In November 2023, a construction contract was awarded, marking the first significant step in construction since the project was announced back in 2017.
What about a casino?
In an earnings call in November 2023, Hornbuckle mentioned that the USD 2.5 billion Dubai project has not yet received approval for a casino and will proceed without gaming facilities. He emphasized this point again this week, referring to it as a “currently non-gaming complex,” but noted that this could potentially change in the future.
A spokesperson for MGM clarified that they are optimistic about the possibility of gaming becoming available in Dubai, but for now, they have only submitted a bid for a gaming license in Abu Dhabi. Currently, the only hotel confirmed to have a gaming license in the UAE is the Wynn Marjan, set to open in Ras Al Khaimah in 2027.
