A&O Shearman has advised the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) on its strategic agreements with Sphere Entertainment Group, marking a major milestone in the evolution of immersive entertainment in the Middle East.
The transaction paves the way for the development of Sphere Abu Dhabi, the first Sphere venue outside of Las Vegas. Strategically located in a prime district of Abu Dhabi, the venue will mirror the scale and ambition of the 20,000-capacity Las Vegas Sphere and is expected to become a year-round destination for global audiences. The agreement also grants DCT Abu Dhabi exclusive rights to develop additional Sphere venues across select territories in the Middle East and North Africa following the Abu Dhabi launch.
“This project represents a transformative step for the region’s entertainment landscape and cements Abu Dhabi’s role at the forefront of the shift we are seeing towards more immersive and experiential entertainment options,” Tom Butcher, A&O Shearman partner, commented. “We are proud to support DCT Abu Dhabi in securing a long-term strategic platform that will redefine live experiences in the Middle East. Our team’s ability to navigate complex, multi-faceted agreements covering the fully spectrum of IP, technology, construction and project development was key to delivering this outcome.”
The A&O Shearman deal team was led by partner Tom Butcher and senior associate Dan Goddard (DDIT) with support from Alex Robinson (DDIT) on marketing partnership aspects, Cameron Griffiths, Louie Gough and Elliott Sawford (ENRI) on the project development agreements, David Winters, Caitlin O’Hare, Caroline Smith and Emma Marlow (Belfast) on patent/trade mark matters and Sara Coelho and JB Betker who advised on U.S. law considerations. The deal showcases A&O Shearman’s global reach and multi-disciplinary strength, with seamless collaboration across offices and practice areas.
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