MSG Tests $2.3B LED Sphere Entertainment Hall

MSG Entertainment has begun testing its massive LED multipurpose entertainment hall, dubbed the MSG Sphere — a 17,600-seat venue that spans a massive 516ft by 366ft, making it the largest spherical structure in the world.

What’s potentially more impressive is its fully animated exterior dome and internal 16K LED wraparound screen, designed to reinvent concerts, films and other forms of entertainment.

In early coverage from Rolling Stone, MSG’s James Dolan and David Dibble explain that the Sphere was created to provide a virtual reality (VR) like experience without the need for “damn goggles.” In addition to a VR type of experience, the space also houses 10,000 seats that produce haptics, temperature-controlled winds and scents.

The auditorium also features an impressive 164,000-speaker audio system that can isolate sounds, as well as limit them to certain sections of the building — creating a unique opportunity for a multilingual experience.

Since its construction started in 2019, costs to build the MSG Sphere have skyrocketed to $2.3 billion USD, due to pandemic setbacks and tech complexities, with the new total making it the most expensive venue in Las Vegas to date.

While testing has begun, the venue is not expected to open to the public for nearly three more months, with the first event set to take place within the Sphere said to be a custom production by U2, kicking off a 25-show run.

See some footage of Sphere below, which has assumed imagery of the moon, the United States flag, an NBA2k24 Summer League ball and more.