The Las Vegas Sphere has become one of the nation’s most popular and talked-about entertainment venues. Therefore, it is not surprising that Kenny Chesney has become the first country music artist to perform at the venue and has a residency running through June 21st.
Beer in Mexico
Leave it to country music sensation Kenny Chesney to christen Las Vegas’s most immersive entertainment platform with his own brand of good vibrations, becoming the first country crooner to do so at the 17,600-seat venue. The 57-year-old looks like a 30-something cowboy surfer on stage, and his fans couldn’t get enough.
The 4-D immersive experience provides an experience second to none; with the digital graphics and pulsating acoustics, it allows true artists like Chesney an opportunity to render an intimate interpretation of their catalog of songs that define a lifetime of ups and downs.
Beer in Mexico was Chesney’s first song of the night, and he brought along special pals like Kelsea Ballerini to perform. It appeared as though Chesney was as in awe of the venue as his fans were. “Nothing can prepare you for your first night at Sphere in Vegas,” Chesney wrote on Instagram after the show, posting a carousel of photos that captured the spectacle and emotion of opening night.
“It was so magical and even more emotional for me and my road family,” he said. “Thanks to the whole Sphere team, and a very special thanks to my friend from Knoxville, TN @KelseaBallerini for such a great surprise on our first night.”
Perhaps one of the more captivating aspects of the Sphere is its unique seating structure that bridges the gap between the artist and the fans. That was not lost on Chesney, who described the experience as “overwhelming,” noting that “beyond the visuals, which build and move, the fans are so close, even in the 400 section, that you’re consumed by all of it when you look up.”
Chesney and his outstanding six-piece band will be checking out of Sin City within a month, but limited seating is still available.
Sphere Smashes Records
The Las Vegas Sphere took five years to build and $2.3 billion, but after opening in September 2023, it has been a giant success, providing a state-of-the-art technological experience like no other. In 2024, 1.3 million tickets were sold, which was a record-setting $420.5 million in sales with acts including U2, Phish, the Eagles, and Dead & Company.
This was the first time a single venue had sold more than $300 million in tickets, and that didn’t even include UFC 306, which took in $22 million at the box office. It was a smashing year for Sphere, and 2025 appears to be more of the same. A second Sphere may already be in the works, as investors from Abu Dhabi have expressed interest in its own Sphere.
Sphere Executive Chairman and CEO James Dolan stated, “The vision for Sphere has always included a global network of venues, and today’s announcement is a significant milestone toward that goal. Sphere is redefining live entertainment and extending the reach of its transformative impact.”
