What it's like to watch an NBA game on Cosm's dome
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Cosm's dome experience makes viewers feel like they are courtside at an NBA game. VIP guests at Friday's preview watch the Spurs warmup ahead of Game 2 of the NBA finals. Photo: Kristal Dixon/Axios
Last week, I had the chance to check out Cosm's third location that's slated to open Wednesday at Centennial Yards in Downtown Atlanta.
Why it matters: Cosm's grand opening is one day before the FIFA World Cup gets underway, offering soccer fans a unique way to watch their preferred teams in the tournament.
- It's also another step in CIM Group's $5 billion plan to redevelop the area formerly known as The Gulch into a mixed-use project that could help breathe new life into Downtown.
Zoom in: Cosm's three-story, 70,000-square-foot venue has an 87-foot diameter, 12K+ LED dome, "which bridges the gap between the virtual and physical worlds through Shared Reality," Cosm previously said in its press release.
The vibe: Walking in on the ground floor, you're greeted with a massive open space with a few seating options: small, curved couches and chairs stationed around low tables and rows of higher-top tables with chairs located in the center of the space.
- The ground floor also has large screens that wrap around in a panoramic view that can be seen from the second floor. Seating areas on the first and second floors of the venue also have smaller screens to keep viewers engaged.
- It basically feels like you're in a really large sports bar that has some aspects of a movie theater.
- The seating that faces the dome, which is on the backside of the venue, is tiered and has spacious table tops for your food, drinks and phone.
- I sat on the right side of the dome and had plenty of seating space for my purse (which is very rare for bar-like places).
What it's like to watch: A mix of feeling awestruck and overwhelmed. I marveled at the screen quality while watching Game 2 of the NBA Finals between the Spurs and the Knicks. I don't follow basketball much, but I couldn't turn my head away from the screen.
- It's like you're sitting in the first row at the movie theater, but you're not tilting your head backwards (maybe because I was a few rows back).
- The seating layout makes the dome viewing a communal experience.
Pro tip: If you're considering a visit, take MARTA or use a rideshare service.
Go: When Cosm opens Wednesday, viewers will be able to watch Game 4 of the NBA Finals. Thursday and Friday will feature FIFA World Cup games.
- If sports isn't your thing, Cosm also plans to screen "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone," "The Matrix," and "O" by Cirque du Soleil.
- Get your tickets here.