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By Cassandra Cousineau, LVSportsBiz.com UFC/MMA Writer
LAS VEGAS, Nevada — Dana White’s big day at the Sphere Las Vegas finally arrived.
The UFC is spending $20 million on putting on what the UFC bossman believes will be the ultimate hybrid of sport and entertainment at the Sphere venue off Sands Avenue just east of the Strip for Noche UFC Saturday night.
A typical UFC show costs about $2.5 million to produce, but White is counting on an anticipated gate in the $22 million to $23 million range to pay off in the end.
LVSportsBiz.com has covered UFC’s activities all week and here is our breakdown of tonight’s historic sports events in Las Vegas.
The Sphere Takes Center Stage: UFC’s Bold Play to Make Noche UFC the Star of Mexican Independence Day Weekend
On Mexican Independence Day weekend, Las Vegas will witness a battle of its own — not just in the Octagon, but between two of the city’s premier venues.
Noche UFC is going mano-a-mano with boxing’s biggest star, Canelo Alvarez, who will be fighting at T-Mobile Arena at the same time tonight. This clash of combat promotions has positioned the brand-new $2.3 billion Sphere as the illuminated star of the show. That gate was $17 million.
That’s $40 million in gate revenues between Noche UFC at Sphere and Canelo at T-Mobile Arena.
It’s taken nearly a year for White’s vision to come to life, and he’s set on delivering what he calls “the greatest live combat sports show anybody has ever seen.”
With its state-of-the-art technology and visual storytelling, the 160,000-square-foot LED screen Sphere will play a crucial role in making that vision a reality.
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The Sphere vs. T-Mobile Arena A Battle for Attention
Traditionally, Canelo Alvarez has been the undisputed champion of Las Vegas’ Mexican Independence Day weekend, drawing massive crowds to T-Mobile Arena.
But White has forged ahead with big challenges since the global COVID pandemic shut down of 2020. Noche UFC is betting on the Sphere’s cutting-edge technology and unique atmosphere to captivate a diverse audience and challenge T-Mobile Arena’s dominance of the night.
“The biggest challenge,” White noted, “was figuring out how to make the Sphere the star of the show without overshadowing the fights.” When White watched U2 perform at the Sphere, he realized the venue itself could be the main attraction.
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A Spectacle of Storytelling and Production
Could a combat sports promotion bring an academy award to the Sphere Las Vegas?
Six separate short films that will be displayed on the Sphere’s vast LED screen, turning the event into a cinematic experience.
Each vignette, developed by independent artists, tells a different chapter in a story that celebrates Mexico’s rich cultural heritage:
- Chapter I: In the Beginning — Directed by Joe Sill and Brian Tang, co-produced by Impossible Objects
- Chapter II: Early Civilizations — Directed by Saad Moosajee, co-produced by Analog Studios
- Chapter III: Rituals & Traditions — Directed by Paul Nicholls, co-produced by Factory Fifteen
- Chapter IV: Battle for Independence — Directed by Diego Huacuja, co-produced by Basa Estudios
- Chapter V: Fighters & Heroes — Directed by Shynola, co-produced by Nexus Studios
- Chapter VI: Mexico Today and Tomorrow — Directed by Paul Trillo, co-produced by Factory Fifteen
Swifties will be excited to hear the production was overseen by Silent House Group fresh off their work on Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour.
White said he will pay $25,000 to anyone who identifies hidden Easter eggs during the six movies. “There are also going to be Easter eggs in each one of these films. If somebody can find all the Easter eggs, I’ll give you $25,000.”
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Economic Impact: A High-Stakes Weekend
From an economic standpoint, Noche UFC could deliver significant returns.
According to multiple reports, the event has already achieved a record $23 million gate, surpassing previous UFC records.
Beyond the gate, sponsorship dollars are pouring in, thanks in part to the unique appeal of the Sphere and its potential to transform the fight experience.
According to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA), UFC’s decision to host the event at the Sphere is expected to drive a surge of economic activity in Las Vegas, benefiting hotels, restaurants, and other businesses over the weekend.
Stephen Espinoza, former Showtime president of Sports and Events Programs, said Canelo vs. Jermell, Charlo hauled in more than $20 million in Sept. of 2023 when UFC bullied the boxing event two weeks later than Canelo’s traditional Mexican Independence Day weekend gig at T-Mobile Arena. This year, he’s fighting a much lesser opponent in Edgar Berlanga. Still, the combined impact of the UFC and Canelo Alvarez fights could bring upwards of $150 million in total economic impact to the city as visitors flock to these two mega-fighting events. The LVCVA did not explain how it reached the $150 million figure.
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High-Profile Security and Citywide Impact
Hosting an event at the Sphere is not without its challenges. It’s considered the first competitive sports event at the Sphere, while the National Hockey League Draft event was the first sports-related event at the Sphere in June.
Even during pre-fight events like the weigh-ins and press conferences, the heavy presence of Metro Police was evident. With both the UFC and Canelo Alvarez events happening simultaneously, the Nevada State Athletic Commission, led by Executive Director Jeff Mullen, has its full time staff of eight and numerous long-time contractors spread across both venues.
Matthew Valenzuela of the NSAC told LVSportsBiz, “We’re used to high profile sporting events in this city. Coming off the Super Bowl and F1, we’re ready for the challenge and capable of pulling off a safe and enjoyable event.” Valenzuela will attend the Canelo fight at T-Mobile while Mullen presides over Commission duties at the Sphere.
And about parking: arrive early and expect to pay a premium. There will be about 300 onsite parking spaces, two of which will be occupied by White and UFC Chief Business Officer Hunter Campbell. Otherwise, fans will need to descend upon the Venetian, Wynn, and other hotels within walking distance. Thanks to F1 construction in the area, it will be a madhouse to navigate.
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A New Era for Las Vegas Fight Nights?
White says this is a “one-and-done” event at this venue, but he could still change his mind. With the Sphere making its grand debut as a premier sports venue and the UFC pushing the boundaries of event production, this could be the start of a new era for fight nights in the city.
Whether UFC’s ambitious strategy will dethrone the traditional boxing spectacle remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: the Sphere, with its groundbreaking design and cinematic storytelling, has made itself the true star of the show.