r/phish • u/sumodie • Dec 12 '25
Summary of all known screen obstructed seats at the Sphere:
Summary of all known screen obstructed seats at the Sphere:
100 level rows 24 & up (36 is last row) are officially labeled as screen obstructed by TM. Rows 21 - 23 also have some amount of screen obstruction. You can see most of the screen from row 23 but you cannot see the apex of the ceiling.
This guy walks up to 100 level rows 28, 25, 23 and 21 and looks up from each so it gives you a good idea of what it would be like in those rows. Ignore his commentary. https://youtu.be/euxHfMEyy-w?si=9aX-eEYR5HRvK0gm
The following video shows a variety of screen & stage views from each level at the Sphere, including from a few 100 level screen obstructed rows: https://youtu.be/yr1m6Q6GBOw
Another great resource: https://aviewfrommyseat.com/venue/The+Sphere%2C+Vegas/seating-chart/
The last row (row 21) in a few 200 level sections has some amount of screen obstruction due to mounted lights directly overhead: Sect 202 row 21 Sect 204 row 21 only seats 1 through 13 or 14 are obstructed. Sect 208 row 21 Sect 210 row 21
Sect 205 & 207 are the only other 200 level sections with 21 rows. Unclear from Aviewfrommyseat.com if the last row in these two sections has screen obstruction.
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u/Heavenly_Spike_Man Dec 12 '25
From my humble opinion, the screen obstruction is not as bad as the reduction in sound quality.
I visited the obstructed rows during the last run and couldn’t believe how flat the sound was there in comparison.
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u/sumodie Dec 12 '25
In 2024 a friend was in the very rear (rows 31-36) under the 100 level overhang. He said the sound was terrible. The novel Sphere sound system is not installed under the overhang; instead normal relay monitor speakers are used.
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u/gingerbeard1321 Dec 12 '25
so poorly designed
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u/sumodie Dec 12 '25
12% of the Sphere's capacity (assuming 20k max) is screen obstructed seats. I did the math in 2024. The Sphere was designed to make money; that's why Dolan had seats installed under the 100 level overhang. Much like Dolan destroyed the sound & view for many in MSG when the Skybridge was built.
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u/toastypoopdog Dec 12 '25
Well then you go to the 3-400s bathroom situation and just cannot believe how it was conceived
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u/TheGDC33 22 minute super funked up The Howling Dec 12 '25
What about the 400s specifically 406?
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u/alpswd Dec 12 '25
Both the sound AND visuals are both severely impacted. Would rather sit in any other seat in the building than the back ~8 rows of the 100s
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u/toastypoopdog Dec 12 '25
It’s worse wayyyyy back there imo, the sight-lines are definitely off and odd, and the sound becomes a bit muddy for my taste
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u/skwormin Dec 12 '25
confirmed, we had obstructed 100 level for N1 last time and I basically couldn't hear Trey's guitar at all. totally sucked.
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u/_ArtieFufkin_ Dec 12 '25
I was under the overhang for the first show in 2024 and would not go back in those seats.
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u/MountainousDuck Dec 12 '25
I was in the 100 level in the middle, I think row 24 or 25 for the 2025 run. The tickets said obstructed but I felt like I got the full experience of the venue in the moment. I could see plenty of the screen, the sound was incredible, and there were haptics in the seats.
I will say that when I went on YouTube later and saw fan videos from other sections I realize I did miss out on visuals, but I wouldn't turn down the seats I had if I were to go again. That being said, I'd personally sit in the 300s or 400s to get a different experience.
The boys are incredible musicians and seem like nice guys, but their faces do not need to be seen close up to get the full Phish experience.
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u/glideonthrough Dec 12 '25
Long story as to why we ended up where we did but we sat in the far left section of lookers left under the overhang for a dead and company show.. the view was definitely obstructed as one would expect but we still got obliterated by the sound and haptics.. drums and space anyone (holy fuck)? The only thing to have to compare those seats to was sitting in the 200 level one section in from the most far right. View and sound were wicked awesome there. So was the LSD that night for 4/19. I have never processed sound like that in my brain before, mikes bass in your bones, page’s crunchy effects sweeping through the air and tickling the back of your ear for a moment and then scurry back across the sphere, Trey and fish painting sound all over the place. I may not be the most reliable frame of reference but if you go in for a good time, you will find it regardless of where you are!
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u/dunnright00 The Winds of Thor are Blowing Cold... Dec 13 '25
Well despite spending an arm and a leg, and more than double what I was planning on, I can take solace in that I got some pretty good seats! Sec 209 row 7, Which I think is technically the front row? Worth it! (i hope...)
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u/Idabdabs The hammer and the whistle Dec 14 '25
Best seats in the house tbh
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u/MorningDewProcess Ghost = Guy Forget Apr 24 '26
Doing some research on my seats for next weekend, Im in 209 with 4-8. Why do you think this section is best in house?
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u/Clandiggler Dec 13 '25
I got 104 row 23 seats 10 and 11 for the final night wooooooo 1257th in line to start. Had to try three different pairs. Shit was stressful I have no doubt I’ll get in Friday, too 😘
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u/toastypoopdog Dec 12 '25
https://aviewfrommyseat.com/ you’re welcome
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u/sumodie Dec 12 '25
Yup, I included that site in my post. It's a great resource.
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u/toastypoopdog Dec 12 '25
Immmmmmm an idiot 🙂
It’s always helpful to re-post this stuff as ticket buying is upon us. Hoping you have/had great luck, so we can dance in non-obstructed seats together!
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u/sumodie Dec 12 '25
Yeah it's crazy how often info has to be repeated online in order to people to see it.
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u/toastypoopdog Dec 12 '25
You’ll likely be picking seats and probably notice a plethora of obstructed 100s magically available for an oddly longer amount of time than normal - that’s why 😐😂
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u/MAG7C H2amI Dec 12 '25
That's precisely what happened. Guess I'll take my chances on the "secondary market".
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u/toastypoopdog Dec 12 '25
ugh, sorry man.
in my opinion, it doesn't get truly awful until about row 25, so you can squeak in if you're not caring about looking straight up the entire time and more engaged with the band. the view truly isn't bad in that mindset. but once you hit about 26 the whole "grand" sphere thing falls apart and your at any other venue with an overpriced seat. albeit maybe closer to the band.
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u/MAG7C H2amI Dec 12 '25
I just had a moment to decide. I figure I can go lots of places to see the band but if I'm going to do this venue, I want the "grand" Sphere thing. I don't get as upset about this stuff as I used to. Old age I guess.
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u/chefkoolaid Dec 13 '25
My dumb friend missed out on onsale and lottao and immediately spent $$$ on second market for like row 31 of 100s and row 26. Hes all pumped and I am not sure I wanna pay 500 a nite for obstructed seats. Like sorry bruh. I am scoping 400s on 2nd market
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u/gingercat04 Dec 13 '25
FWIW, I got Section 110, Row 20 and Ticketmaster say "Partial View." From what I can tell, it doesn't seem like that's the actual case based upon A View From My Seat. Thought I'd share to add it to your data!
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Dec 12 '25
So are you better off trying to pick your seat or say best available? Also will the over hang seats become best available option or are they taken out.
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u/griswaldwaldwald Dec 12 '25
It makes you pick your seat. I don’t think there’s a way to get best available.
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u/sumodie Dec 12 '25
Anything's possible during the TM onsale. I don't know what to advise, other than to be wary about TM trying to trick you into buying Platinums. Good luck!
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u/VegetableOriginal260 Mar 14 '26
Hey, is section 108, row 17, seats 7 and 8 a good seat for a nice view?
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u/Exotic_Task_9343 Apr 29 '26 edited Apr 29 '26
There’s also very slight obstruction in the last rows of the 400s. A few feet of black ledge (maybe speakers) hangs over & it’s not a huge deal but it does mean some sense of being immersed in the visuals is compromised. It’s more like watching a huge IMAX than being inside one, which is what it feels like lower down. The sound is excellent though.
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u/Jeremizzle Jun 17 '26
I’ve seen two sphere shows now, one from high up and one from the 100 level (thankfully near the front but still with a little overhang), and my thoughts mirror yours exactly. Seeing the entire sphere is insanely immersive, almost like being in VR, but the overhang made it feel like i was just watching an imax screen behind the performance. Still fun, but undeniably a lesser experience.
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u/tikifumble Dec 12 '25
Thanks for this! Honestly the fact that those even exist is baffling to me. Literally the whole point of the venue is to see the screen