Stratford sphere venue plans officially withdrawn by US firm

Madison Square Garden Entertainment has officially withdrawn plans to bring the Las Vegas-style Stratford sphere venue to London.

Madison Square Garden Entertainment says it will not bring the Las Vegas-style Stratford sphere venue to London.

MSG declined involvement in what they deemed a situation used as a political tool between opposing groups. In December, Housing Secretary Michael Gove intervened to assess the denial of planning permission by London Mayor Sadiq Khan. Khan, while expressing support for businesses, emphasized MSG’s obligation to abide by regulations. MSG had sought to construct its 21,000-capacity Sphere venue in Stratford.

MSG expressed deep disappointment that Londoners would miss out on the revolutionary technology of the Sphere and the thousands of lucrative job opportunities it promised. They officially confirmed the withdrawal of their application from the Planning Inspectorate process in a letter, citing their substantial investment in acquiring the Stratford site and five years of collaborative planning with various governmental bodies. They lamented the situation as a political tug-of-war between opposing parties, making it untenable for them to continue participating in the process.

A representative from Sphere Entertainment, affiliated with MSG, expressed dedication to collaborating with “progressive cities globally” that were earnest about welcoming the project to their communities.

Originally planned for construction on a 4.7-acre site in Stratford, which has remained unused since its temporary role as a coach park during the 2012 London Olympics, the illuminated sphere venue envisioned by MSG aimed to feature the world’s highest-resolution LED screen. Alongside immersive sound systems, it was designed to accommodate concerts, shows, and sporting events.

BBC London was informed by Mr. Khan that he declined the project due to potential adverse effects on residents, encompassing light disturbances, impacts on amenities, and zoning considerations. However, he expressed an openness to other music venues in London.

In November, Mr. Khan’s ruling specified that the Sphere’s construction would result in “significant light intrusion” for neighbors, leading to the project’s disapproval.