Despite minister intervention, the future of the MSG Sphere in Newham still appears uncertain.

By Noah Enahoro

Visualisation of the MSG Sphere — ©Madison Square Garden Company

Last month the Mayor of London rejected the bid for the MSG Sphere to be built in the Stratford Olympic area, but failure to finalise the rejection has left some uncertainty.

Khan’s rejection of the 300-high two-billion-dollar entertainment venue was gladly accepted by Newham’s political representatives in November. Rokhsana Fiaz, the Mayor of Newham, called Khan’s decision ‘monumentally significant,’ stating that, “He has placed the health and well-being of residents living in Newham first.” She added: “We have always argued that
the intrusion of the MSG Sphere on the lives of our people will be huge.”

Newham’s local Green councillors, Nate Higgins and Danny Keeling, both heavily involved in the campaign to stop the sphere and councillors for the ward where the MSG Sphere would call home, also welcomed Khan’s decision.

Perhaps those most delighted, and relieved, by Khan’s decision were the members of the ‘Against the MSG Sphere London’ campaign, made up of Newham residents, some living mere metres away from the MSG’s proposed site.

The group had been engaged in a five-year long battle with the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC), who approved the initial planning application in 2022, as well as the company behind the sphere, Madison Square Garden. “This decision is a testament to the power of residents and grassroots campaigning,” they said on X, formally known as Twitter.

Despite Khan’s rejection, Michael Gove, the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, prohibited the LLDC from carrying out the decision, signalling to some that he would look to defy the Mayor’s decision. Gove’s interventions have, however, seemingly failed to woo over the company behind the sphere.

“Mr Gove’s action, although commendable, still appears to us to be more of the same, and we cannot continue to participate in a process that can be so easily undermined by political winds,” a spokesperson said. “As we said previously, we will focus on the many forward-thinking cities.”

Soon after their statement, it appears that they have found a ‘forward-thinking’ city of their choice. Earlier in December, South Korean media outlets reported that a deal between the MSG Sphere company and Seoul would make the city become the new home to its brand-new sphere, and the first on the Asian continent. If agreed, construction would start in 2025.

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