Sphere Entertainment and the National Hockey League (NHL) have revealed new details about the 2024 Upper Deck NHL Draft at Sphere.
The 2024 Upper Deck NHL Draft will take place across two days on 28-29 June, and for the first time ever, key moments from the Draft will be broadcasted live on the Exosphere. This will provide a real-time look at the action taking place inside the venue on the LED exterior. Separate from the original content the company creates for The Sphere Experience, the NHL Draft marks the venue’s first live event in which Sphere Studios – the immersive content studio dedicated to creating multisensory live entertainment experiences exclusively for Sphere – led the design and creation of content for both the interior display plane and the Exosphere.
“Sphere is powered by cutting-edge technologies to create immersive experiences across a wide range of event categories,” said Jennifer Koester, president and chief operating officer, Sphere. “The Sphere Studios team is focused on pushing the boundaries of technology and creativity to strategically enhance what we can offer to partners such as the NHL Draft in how they utilise Sphere’s interior and exterior – demonstrating the breadth of our capabilities as we continue to redefine the future of live entertainment.”
The team at Sphere Studios has been working closely with the NHL to create custom content for both Sphere’s fully immersive interior display plane – the world’s highest resolution LED screen – and the exterior of the venue – the world’s largest LED screen. As the first event televised live from Sphere, the Sphere Studios team has optimised the custom content displayed on the interior display plane for the television audience, as well as fans in the venue. This content includes custom graphics for all 32 NHL teams, key statistical highlights and notable former picks for each club, and an immersive Draft selection board while each team is on the clock.
“Working with the NHL to host the venue’s first-ever live broadcast event for a major sports league is an important milestone in Sphere’s inaugural year,” said Joel Fisher, executive vice president, marquee events and operations for MSG Entertainment, who oversees marquee events for Sphere. “We look forward to creating an unforgettable Draft experience with the NHL for everyone watching in Las Vegas and around the world via the incredible content that will be displayed both inside the venue and on the Exosphere.”
In another first for Sphere, footage from the live television broadcast will be incorporated into custom graphics and displayed on the Exosphere throughout the event. These Exosphere moments, specific to Round 1 on 28 June, will mark a new level of engagement for fans on the ground in Las Vegas and around the world via the live television broadcast.
“We’ve set out to create the most amazing introduction to the NHL for these young players and their families in the most innovative venue in the world,” said Steve Mayer, NHL chief content officer and senior executive vice president. “This will be the first sporting event broadcast live from Sphere, and we are thrilled to be working with Sphere Studios and so many other innovative companies and talented individuals to make it a success.”
