Las Vegas Sphere's First Sporting Event Is Coming Next Year

Since it first debuted earlier this year, the Sphere in Las Vegas has hosted visually stunning spectacles including a U2 residency, a Darren Aronofsky-directed film, and an impressive Fourth of July light show. Now, the venue that has become an instantly recognizable part of Las Vegas' skyline is gearing up to host its first-ever sporting event.

UFC president Dana White shared in a press conference Nov. 11 that a UFC fight is scheduled to take place at the Sphere in 2024. The date—Sept. 16—is also significant. "Mexican Independence Day, we are booked for the Sphere," White said, adding that he and his team are "already working on the creative for the show."

When asked if putting on a UFC fight at the massive $2.3 billion venue would come with challenges, he didn't mince words. "It's going to be a massive challenge, and I love every minute of it," he said honestly. "I can't wait to dive into this thing."

"I'm super excited about this. I love challenges. Everybody keeps saying to me 'I don't understand how you're going to put the octagon in there,' 'I don't understand how you're going to this,' 'I don't understand how you're going to do that,'" he continued. "Remember that I said this to you tonight: I'm going to put on the greatest live combat sport show anybody has ever seen."

MMA might be the first sport played inside the Sphere, but the brilliant exterior has already had some involvement in the sports world. Earlier this summer, the NBA ran ads on the massive building for its Summer League and In-Season Tournament.

For most of the next year, White and his team will be working hard to fit an octagon through a sphere-shaped hole.