Alec awarded Sphere Abu Dhabi construction contract

Alec Engineering and Contracting has been awarded a US$1.7bn contract to design and construct Sphere Abu Dhabi, the first Sphere venue to be developed outside the United States. Located on Yas Island between Yas Mall and SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, the project is scheduled for completion by the end of 2029 and will accommodate up to 20,000 visitors. The venue will host a range of immersive experiences, concert residencies, sporting events and brand activations, expanding on the concept first introduced by the Sphere in Las Vegas, which opened in 2023.

According to Alec, the scope of works includes the complete design, procurement and construction of the venue, incorporating immersive technology systems, specialist structural and mechanical engineering, bespoke manufacturing and integrated sustainability features.

“Securing the Sphere Abu Dhabi contract is a profound endorsement of our capability as a homegrown UAE company,” commented Barry Lewis, CEO of Alec. “This is a globally iconic venue that will attract millions of international visitors and establish Abu Dhabi as a world-leading centre for immersive entertainment and cultural experience.”

The Las Vegas Sphere is known for its large-scale LED exterior and immersive audiovisual technologies, including a high-resolution internal LED display and advanced concert sound system.

“The Sphere Abu Dhabi is both technically complex and architecturally ambitious,” added Sean McQue, managing director at Alec. “It will demand precision at every level, from design integration and supply-chain orchestration to on-site execution and quality assurance.”

The project forms part of Abu Dhabi’s wider strategy to expand its entertainment, tourism and cultural offering on Yas Island.