Giant Video Dome to Open in Las Vegas

Showmanship is a big part of the experience in Las Vegas, and the latest attraction is an enormous dome to host concerts and other live events.

The giant dome will open to the public on September 29th, 2023, with their inaugural event being the first of 25 U2 concerts that have already all sold out.

What’s Inside the MSG Sphere?

The outside of the dome is impressive and futuristic looking, but the inside where the next-level experience takes place. The interior walls are covered with a 16K LED screen that wraps all the way around in almost 360 degrees.

At the stage, seating area, and floor, of course, there is no screen. But in every other direction, viewers get an immersive experience that rivals that of using a VR headset, but without the need for wearing a device over your face.

The dome also includes “4D” features for 10,000 of the seats including haptics, cooling and warming effects, simulated breeze, and even scents. The dome’s unique audio system that uses 164,000 speakers allows it to target and isolate audio and sounds for particular areas of the dome. For example, one section could experience audio in another language, such as Mandarin.

How Big is the MSG Sphere?

The inside of the dome is 516 ft by 366 ft, which is the largest video dome in the world. Compared to the Absolute Hollywood Celestial Dome, the second largest, it’s more than double the size.

The MSG Sphere seats 17,600 people—enough for large concerts and sporting events. It’s located beside the Venetian Resort, although it isn’t associated with the Venetian.

The footage used in the dome is taken using special cameras that can capture an immersive experience meant to be displayed on a 360 degree screen.

How Much Did the MSG Sphere Cost?

Coming in at $2.3 billion, the Sphere will end up being the most expensive venue in all of Las Vegas. To put that into perspective, the enormous arena for the local NFL team, the Las Vegas Raiders’ Allegiant Stadium, cost $1.9 billion.

The mounting costs were partly a result of the pandemic, and there’s no telling how soon the Sphere could potentially gain back the initial investment.

What Events Will the MSG Sphere Host?

Plans haven’t been announced for what will come after the 25 U2 shows. But the Sphere was designed for a wide range of entertainment, including cinema, live music, sports, and even live e-gaming.

In the times between live events, the dome could be used like a humongous iMax, showing special programs or Hollywood movies as 4D experiences.

The dome and others like it open the door for new content to be made in 360 degree format. It could be used as an exciting new way of presenting content that film makers could use to their advantage to create unique, immersive experiences in their storytelling.

Many 360 videos and games already exist for VR headsets, and the catalogue of content that could fit on the dome’s screen is growing every year.

Conclusion

If the MSG Sphere is a success, people will start going to it to have an experience they can’t find anywhere else. And this could potentially include viewing unique types of content that they can’t see elsewhere.

For example, U2’s concerts inside the dome will include specially made content that is designed to surround the band as they play. This will be the first major musical event of its kind.

All in all, the MSG Sphere is an exciting new venue with advanced technology that should make for a really cool experience, regardless of what’s being shown on the enormous 360 screen.