Sphere is a new $2.3 billion venue in Las Vegas for live concerts, movies, and sporting events. It has the world's largest LED screen.

We will take a closer look the next time we are in Las Vegas for CES but there can be no doubt that the new Sphere, which will officially open to the public this autumn, is wildly impressive.

It is 366 feet tall and 516 feet wide, fully covered with millions of LEDs – light emitting diodes. It is said to be the highest resolution LED screen on earth at 16K x 16K resolution, although it is a little unclear how they arrived at 16K as it is said to have 1.2 million light modules each divided into 48 diodes.




164,000 speakers, 4D experiences
The official name is MSG Sphere and it will be used for live music, film and sporting events including boxing and mixed martial arts inside the globe. On the outside it can be programmed to show anything including close-ups of performers.

Equally impressive is the sound system as there 164,000 speakers inside that can be programmed for spatial audio.

- "Sphere’s audio system will also allow sound designers to create a virtual point of origin, and place it in a precise spatial location – meaning audio can be directed to the listener so that it sounds close, even though the source is far away – imagine a character “whispering” directly in your ear," the company said earlier this year.

The company said that it supports 4-D experiences too with seats that vibrate and wind machines.


 MSG Sphere in Las Vegas. Photo: Sphere Entertainment

A $2.3 billion project
Construction of the gigantic sphere began in 2018 and it has cost a reported $2.3 billion to build. It lit up for the first time on July 4 for the US Independence Day.

Inside, there are nearly 18,000 seats.

MSG Sphere will officially open to the public this fall with a 'Postcard from Earth' experience. Tickets cost $49 to $129. Starting September 29 it will host a series of 25 concerts featuring U2 called 'U2:UV Achtung Baby Live at Sphere'.

 Also read: First look: Samsung's 110" microLED TV

Now imagine something similar – but preferably smaller – at your local theater or in your living room. It is made possible by LED display technology which is expected to also come to mainstream TVs in the future.


 Photo: Sphere Entertainment