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Sphere Entertainment Co.: Q2 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q2 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 30 July 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 3 new. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Sphere segment revenues grew 29 percent: Sphere revenues increased $50.8 million or 29 percent to $226.4 million on Wizard of Oz performance expansion. Wizard of Oz Experience revenues alone rose $53.8 million primarily from higher per-show revenue. Source
  • Wizard of Oz surpassed 400 million sales: Wizard of Oz at Sphere surpassed $400 million in ticket sales with over three million total tickets sold by mid-June, exceeding initial performance expectations. Source
  • Sphere adjusted operating income surged 60 percent: Sphere adjusted operating income increased $15.0 million or 60 percent to $39.9 million, demonstrating significant operating leverage on revenue growth despite continuing operating losses. Source
  • Abu Dhabi location and timeline confirmed: Yas Island selected as location for Sphere Abu Dhabi with construction expected completion by end of 2029, providing definitive milestone for international venue rollout. Source
  • Rocky Horror Picture Show announced for 2027: Company announced production of new Sphere Experience based on 1975 Rocky Horror Picture Show film, expected opening in 2027 at Las Vegas venue. Source
  • MSG Networks revenues fell 18 percent: MSG Networks revenues decreased $19.8 million or 18 percent to $87.3 million from distribution and advertising revenue declines tied to subscriber losses. Source
  • Operating income fell 75 percent segment-wide: MSG Networks operating income decreased $25.0 million or 75 percent to $8.3 million, with adjusted operating income down 70 percent from revenue and cost pressures. Source
  • F1 Las Vegas agreement extended five years: Company and Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix announced new five-year agreement in July extending partnership through 2030, securing continued major event platform. Source

“Today's results reflect our continued execution in Las Vegas, as we remain on track to deliver substantial growth this calendar year.”

James L. Dolan, Executive Chairman and CEO

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Sphere Abu Dhabi construction completion Sourceby end of 2029end of 2029New
Rocky Horror Picture Show Experience opening Source20272027New
Formula 1 Las Vegas partnership Sourcethrough 2030through 2030New

What changed from last quarter

  • New guidance: Sphere Abu Dhabi venue specifics confirmed with location selected as Yas Island and construction expected completion by end 2029, moving from vague plans to concrete timeline. Source
  • New: Rocky Horror Picture Show announced as new Sphere Experience for 2027, based on classic 1975 film, providing future immersive content offering. Source
  • New: Formula 1 Las Vegas partnership extended through 2030 via new five-year agreement announced in July, continuing marquee annual event at Sphere. Source

Sphere Las Vegas Revenue and Wizard of Oz

  • Sphere segment revenues grew 29 percent: Sphere revenues increased $50.8 million or 29 percent to $226.4 million on Wizard of Oz performance expansion. Wizard of Oz Experience revenues alone rose $53.8 million primarily from higher per-show revenue. Source
  • Wizard of Oz surpassed 400 million sales: Wizard of Oz at Sphere surpassed $400 million in ticket sales with over three million total tickets sold by mid-June, exceeding initial performance expectations. Source
  • Sponsorship and Exosphere advertising expanded: Sponsorship, Exosphere advertising and suite license fee revenues increased $10.5 million from higher Exosphere advertising revenues and increased sponsorship revenues. Source

Adjusted Operating Income and Margins

  • Sphere adjusted operating income surged 60 percent: Sphere adjusted operating income increased $15.0 million or 60 percent to $39.9 million, demonstrating significant operating leverage on revenue growth despite continuing operating losses. Source
  • Operating loss improved on revenue growth: Sphere operating loss of $69.6 million improved $13.9 million or 17 percent, as revenue growth outpaced increases in direct operating and SG&A expenses. Source

“We are also advancing our long-term vision for a global network of Sphere venues, including in Abu Dhabi and National Harbor.”

James L. Dolan, Executive Chairman and CEO

Sphere Expansion Plans and Global Strategy

  • Abu Dhabi location and timeline confirmed: Yas Island selected as location for Sphere Abu Dhabi with construction expected completion by end of 2029, providing definitive milestone for international venue rollout. Source
  • Rocky Horror Picture Show announced for 2027: Company announced production of new Sphere Experience based on 1975 Rocky Horror Picture Show film, expected opening in 2027 at Las Vegas venue. Source
  • National Harbor plans continue progressing: Plans to bring Sphere to National Harbor continue moving forward as development proceeds alongside international and domestic venue discussions. Source
  • Discussions ongoing for multiple global venues: Company remains in discussions with significant number of markets globally regarding additional large and smaller-scale Sphere venue opportunities. Source

Operating Costs and Expense Growth

  • Direct operating expenses increased 15 percent: Sphere direct operating expenses increased $11.4 million or 15 percent to $87.7 million, with Wizard of Oz higher per-show expenses rising $19.7 million. Source

MSG Networks Segment Continued Decline

  • MSG Networks revenues fell 18 percent: MSG Networks revenues decreased $19.8 million or 18 percent to $87.3 million from distribution and advertising revenue declines tied to subscriber losses. Source
  • Subscriber base declined 16.5 percent: Distribution revenue fell $13.7 million reflecting 16.5 percent year-over-year subscriber decline, core challenge for MSG Networks segment. Source
  • Advertising revenue down from fewer sports: Advertising revenue decreased $6.0 million primarily from fewer live postseason professional sports telecasts available for MSG Networks broadcast. Source
  • Operating income fell 75 percent segment-wide: MSG Networks operating income decreased $25.0 million or 75 percent to $8.3 million, with adjusted operating income down 70 percent from revenue and cost pressures. Source

Formula 1 Partnership Extended Through 2030

  • F1 Las Vegas agreement extended five years: Company and Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix announced new five-year agreement in July extending partnership through 2030, securing continued major event platform. Source

Coming up, as management said on 30 July 2026

  • Rocky Horror Picture Show Experience 2027: Company announced production of new Sphere Experience based on 1975 Rocky Horror Picture Show film, expected to open in 2027. Source
  • Sphere Abu Dhabi construction through 2029: Yas Island selected as location for Sphere Abu Dhabi with construction expected completion by end of 2029. Source
  • National Harbor Sphere development ongoing: Plans to bring Sphere to National Harbor continue to move forward with ongoing development. Source
  • Global venue discussions with multiple markets: Company remains in discussions with significant number of markets globally regarding both large and smaller-scale Sphere venue opportunities. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • On track: CEO stated company remains on track to deliver substantial growth in calendar year 2026. Source
  • On track: Plans to bring Sphere to National Harbor continue to move forward. Source
  • On track: Sphere Abu Dhabi at Yas Island with construction expected completion by end of 2029. Source

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.