Sphere

A sense of the place

Sphere Las Vegas opened on September 29, 2023, with U2's residency, and it has changed the skyline ever since. The globe is 366 feet tall and 516 feet wide, its outer skin (the Exosphere) is covered in about 1.2 million LED pucks, and inside a 160,000-square-foot wraparound screen surrounds about 17,600 seats. It cost about $2.3 billion and is run by Sphere Entertainment.

It sits at 255 Sands Ave, just east of the Strip, directly behind The Venetian and The Palazzo, with Wynn to the north. It is not a casino or hotel: there are two very different ways to visit. You can buy a ticket for a show inside, or simply look at the Exosphere from the street for free.

Inside, the main draw since August 2025 has been The Wizard of Oz at Sphere, a roughly 75-minute immersive version of the 1939 film with haptic seats, wind, fog and scent effects. It passed 3.6 million guests and 850 shows by its first anniversary. Concert residencies have included U2, the Eagles, Backstreet Boys and No Doubt, and Metallica's run is scheduled to begin in October 2026, so check the calendar for your dates.

What to look for

• The Exosphere: the outside screen shows art, animations, ads and show promos, and it is free to look at. It is at its best after dark.

• Best places to see the Sphere: Manhattan Street just east of the venue has big ground-level views. For height, try the top of the garage at 3763 Howard Hughes Parkway or the seventh floor of the Encore self-park garage. The Monorail also passes with a good view.

• Wizard of Oz at Sphere: about 75 minutes, intended for ages 6 and up, with every guest needing a ticket. Doors open 45 minutes before the ticketed time and late seating is not allowed.

• Concerts and residencies: headline acts play multi-week runs. Tickets sell through Ticketmaster, and popular dates sell out early.

• The sound and the screen: about 167,000 speakers and the 160,000-square-foot interior LED screen are the reason to see something inside rather than just the outside.

• Sensory rooms: two sensory rooms, on levels 2 and 6, are open during public events, subject to availability.

For other big shows nearby, see our Las Vegas shows and nightlife guide. The Exosphere is also on our list of free things to do in Las Vegas.

Before you go

• Bag policy: Sphere is a no-bag venue. Only small clutches, purses and fanny packs of about 6 x 6 x 2 inches are allowed, plus diaper and medical bags, and there is no bag check. Leave backpacks at your hotel.

• What you can't bring: no laptops or tablets, no outside food or drink, and no video cameras, tripods, selfie sticks or professional cameras with zoom lenses. Clear, soft, empty plastic water bottles are allowed. Exits are final, so there is no re-entry.

• Walking in: standard admission is through the Venetian Bridge stairway, a short walk from The Venetian and The Palazzo. VIP packages use the West VIP entry on Sands Avenue.

• Rideshare and taxis: drop-off and pickup is at Manhattan Street and Westchester Drive. Expect queues after big shows. From the airport, a taxi to The Venetian next door is a Zone 3 flat fare of $29.25 plus fees in 2026; see our airport to the Strip guide.

• Parking: Sphere parking is sold through Ticketmaster and overnight parking isn't allowed. The Venetian and Palazzo garages charge event rates on Sphere headliner nights. Street closures are common, so allow extra time.

• Monorail and bus: the nearest Monorail station is Harrah's / The LINQ, roughly a 10-minute walk away. The Deuce bus runs along the Strip. See our getting around Las Vegas guide.

• Accessibility: book accessible seating through Ticketmaster or Sphere's Accessibility Services team (725-258-6724). Service animals are the only animals allowed. The shows use haptic seats, flashing lights and loud sound, so check with a doctor if you are pregnant or have a medical condition.