Good Seats home
  • Venue
  • Las Vegas, NV

Sphere

17,600 seats · 16K wraparound screen · center 200s see it all

A 17,600-seat spherical venue built around a wraparound screen, where the right seat depends on seeing the image more than the stage.

Sphere in Las Vegas, NV
Photo: Y2kcrazyjoker4, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Looking for section numbers and the best seats by level? See the Sphere Seating Chart.

Upcoming events at Sphere

Dates and live ticket listings appear here as soon as they are on sale. The guide below covers what to know before you buy.

What Sphere is and what plays there

Sphere is a fully enclosed, 17,600-seat spherical venue behind the Venetian, about a block east of the Las Vegas Strip, and it books two kinds of events: multi-week concert residencies and purpose-built films. Its defining feature is the interior screen, a 16K-resolution LED surface of roughly 160,000 square feet that wraps up and over the audience. That screen, not the stage, is what decides which seats are good.

The venue opened on September 29, 2023, with U2:UV Achtung Baby Live at Sphere, a 40-show run that ended in March 2024. Residencies since then have included Dead & Company, Phish, the Eagles, Kenny Chesney and the Backstreet Boys, and Metallica has announced dates from October 2026 into 2027. Between concert nights, Sphere screens its own films: Darren Aronofsky's Postcard from Earth (from October 2023) and The Wizard of Oz at Sphere, a reworked version of the 1939 film that began in August 2025.

  • Residencies run on scattered nights over several months, so demand concentrates on Fridays, Saturdays and holiday weekends.
  • Films run several times a day, which makes them the easier ticket to find on short notice.
  • Effects go beyond the picture: about 10,000 seats have haptics (vibration built into the seat), and some shows add wind, scent and temperature changes.

How the seating bowl is laid out

Sphere seats its audience in a steep, stacked bowl that faces one end of the sphere. The stage sits low at that end, and the screen rises behind and above it, curving overhead toward the back of the room. Seating is numbered in four main levels, with suites and a club tucked between them.

  • Floor: at some concerts, a general admission standing area in front of the stage. Films do not use it.
  • 100 level: the lowest reserved seats, closest to the stage and partly tucked under the levels above.
  • 200 level: the first elevated tier, with clear lines to both the stage and the full screen.
  • 300 level: a step higher, still close enough to read the stage.
  • 400 level: the top tier, farthest from the stage, highest on the screen.

Capacity figures vary by source. The venue's commonly cited number is 17,600 seated and about 20,000 with a standing floor; at least one seating guide counts closer to 18,600 seats. Sphere also has 23 executive suites.

Best seats for concerts and films, and the rows to skip

The rule at Sphere is simple: you want to see the top of the screen. A seat that is close to the stage but cuts off the upper half of the image misses much of what the ticket is for.

The 100-level overhang

The 200 level hangs over the back of the 100 level. Seating guides report that the first 29 rows of the 100s have full views, while row 30 and higher lose the top of the screen under that overhang. About 800 premium seats were reported as obstructed when the venue opened. If a 100-level listing does not show a row number, ask before you buy.

Where the value is

  • Center 200 level: the consensus pick. Sections such as 205 through 207 are close enough to see performers and high enough to take in the whole screen without craning.
  • Low 100 level (rows 1 to 29): best for fans who care most about the band and are fine looking up at the image.
  • 300 level: a sound middle ground, usually priced below comparable 200s.
  • 400 level: the full picture in one view, which suits the films well. For concerts, the stage feels distant and performers rely on the screen.

Floor or seat

The general admission floor puts you nearest the band but lowest relative to a screen that curves above and behind you. For most people, a reserved seat in the 200s or 300s gives the better overall show. For a film, always pick a seat; the haptic seats are part of the experience.

Sound, haptics and what the experience feels like

The audio system, built by HOLOPLOT, uses beamforming (steering sound toward specific seating zones) from more than 1,500 permanently installed speakers, most of them hidden behind the screen. The practical effect is that sound quality holds up well across levels, so the 400s do not suffer the muddy mix of a typical arena upper deck.

The venue warns that shows can include seat vibration, movement sensations, flashing and intense light, loud noise and atmospheric effects. If you are prone to motion sickness or have a medical condition that strong visual effects could affect, a seat higher and closer to center reduces the sensation of the image moving around you. Pregnant guests are advised to consult a physician first.

Getting there: walking, parking and rideshare

Sphere is at 255 Sands Avenue, technically in unincorporated Paradise, like most of the Strip. The easiest approach for Strip visitors is on foot through the Venetian, which connects to Sphere's west entrance by a walkway; a separate pedestrian bridge links the venue to the Venetian Expo. A planned monorail station has not been built.

  • On-site parking is scarce, with only about 300 spaces for a 20,000-person venue as of late 2023.
  • Howard Hughes Center garages across Manhattan Street offer about 2,000 spaces and roughly a 10-minute walk; advance parking has been sold through Ticketmaster.
  • The Venetian garage is the most direct for the west entrance.
  • Rideshare drop-off and pickup use the corner of Manhattan Street and Westchester Drive, across from the entrance.

Expect slow exits by car. Walking back to a Strip hotel after a show is often faster than waiting in the rideshare line.

Entry rules and bag policy

As of 2026, Sphere does not allow large bags or backpacks. Small clutches, purses and fanny packs no larger than about 6 by 6 by 2 inches are permitted, along with diaper bags and medical bags, and every bag is screened. Note that this limit is smaller than the 12-by-6-by-12-inch clear bag many stadiums accept. Check the venue's current policy before you go.

  • No re-entry: all exits are final.
  • Tickets for all ages: everyone needs a ticket, and individual events may set age limits.
  • Entrances: Sands Avenue on the west side, the Venetian bridge stairway and Westchester Drive.
  • Arrive early: street closures around the venue add time on show nights.

Every order on GoodSeats is backed by a 100% guarantee.

Food, accessibility and amenities

Concessions are cashless, and outside food and drink are not allowed except for documented medical needs. The venue offers accessible seating, sensory rooms on Levels 2 and 6, family lounges, all-gender restrooms and nursing rooms. Sphere's accessibility services line can arrange seating; details are on the official FAQ page.

A short history of the venue

Sphere broke ground on September 27, 2018, after delays opened in September 2023 at a reported cost of about 2.3 billion dollars, the most expensive entertainment venue in Las Vegas history. It stands 366 feet tall and 516 feet wide. The exterior, called the Exosphere, carries about 1.23 million LED pucks across roughly 580,000 square feet. In 2024 the venue grossed more from concerts than any other single venue in Billboard Boxscore history, a sign of why residency dates sell out well ahead. A second Sphere is planned for Abu Dhabi.

Frequently asked questions

What is the capacity of Sphere in Las Vegas?

Sphere seats about 17,600 people, and capacity reaches about 20,000 when a concert adds a standing floor. Some seating guides count closer to 18,600 seats.

Which seats at Sphere have obstructed views?

Seating guides report that 100-level rows 30 and higher lose the top of the screen under the 200-level overhang. Rows 1 to 29 in the 100s have full views.

What are the best seats at Sphere?

The center 200 level, such as sections 205 to 207, is the most recommended because it balances stage distance with a full view of the screen. The 400 level is a good fit for the films.

What is the bag policy at Sphere?

As of 2026, large bags and backpacks are not allowed. Clutches, purses and fanny packs up to about 6 by 6 by 2 inches are permitted, plus diaper and medical bags. Check the venue's current policy before you go.

Where do you park for Sphere?

On-site parking is very limited. Most visitors use the Venetian garage or the Howard Hughes Center garages across Manhattan Street, or walk from a Strip hotel.

Is there re-entry at Sphere?

No. The venue states that all exits are final.

Sources