Sphere Entertainment Co. has announced plans with the State of Maryland, Prince George’s County and Peterson Companies to develop a new Sphere venue at National Harbor. This would be the second Sphere in the U.S., following Las Vegas, and the first to be designed on a smaller scale. The venue would represent a major investment for the region, combining state, local and private funding sources totaling about $200 million in incentives.
“Our focus has always been on creating a global network of Spheres across forward-looking cities,” said James L. Dolan, Executive Chairman and CEO, Sphere Entertainment, in a press statement. “Sphere is a new experiential medium. With a commitment to bringing innovative opportunities to residents and visitors, Governor Moore, County Executive Braveboy, the State of Maryland, and Prince George’s County recognize the potential for a Sphere at National Harbor to elevate and advance immersive experiences across the area.”
“They See Me Rollin’…” – Sphere
Located just 15 minutes from downtown Washington, D.C., National Harbor is already considered one of the area’s leading destinations for leisure and entertainment. Located along the Potomac River, the development attracts more than 15 million visitors each year who come for its mix of restaurants, shops and hotels, as well as attractions such as MGM National Harbor and the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center.
The proposed Sphere would expand on that profile, adding an advanced entertainment option that’s expected to boost both tourism and spending in the area.
“Maryland has a long history of providing world-class entertainment and we could not be more excited to work with Sphere Entertainment to bring this cutting-edge project to life,” said Governor Wes Moore, in a press statement. “This will be one of the largest economic development projects in Prince George’s County history—proving once again our state is the best place in the country to bring dreams to life.”
The project is estimated to create around 2,500 construction jobs and more than 4,700 permanent positions once the venue opens. Economic modeling suggests that the site could generate a total annual impact of $1 billion for the state and county combined.
Sphere Las Vegas, the company’s flagship property, ranked first on both Billboard’s and Pollstar’s 2025 lists of global top-grossing venues. Plans for National Harbor would bring that same immersive concept to a smaller, 6,000-seat setting.
The design incorporates the hallmarks of the Las Vegas site, including the Exosphere—an exterior LED display capable of broadcasting art and branded content visible from great distances—and a 16K by 16K interior display, considered the world’s highest-resolution LED screen.
The Maryland project would incorporate Sphere’s advanced systems, including its custom Immersive Sound technology, haptic seating and 4D atmospheric effects. Once completed, it would join the existing venue in Las Vegas and another planned location in Abu Dhabi as part of Sphere Entertainment’s growing global network.
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