Sphere Entertainment Co., in partnership with the State of Maryland, Prince George’s County, and Peterson Companies, has announced plans to develop a new Sphere venue at National Harbor, marking what would be the second Sphere location in the United States and the first to use a smaller-scale venue design model.
The proposed project would introduce a major new entertainment landmark to the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, delivering immersive, technology-driven experiences while generating significant economic and workforce benefits for Maryland and the region. If completed, the venue would follow the flagship Sphere in Las Vegas and complement the company’s planned Sphere development in Abu Dhabi.
“Our focus has always been on creating a global network of Spheres across forward-looking cities,” said James L. Dolan, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Sphere Entertainment. “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.”
The National Harbor Sphere project would be supported through a mix of public and private funding, including approximately $200 million in state, local, and private incentives. According to project estimates, the venue would support roughly 2,500 jobs during construction and approximately 4,750 permanent jobs once operational, while generating millions in additional revenue for Prince George’s County and the State of Maryland.
Once open, the Sphere National Harbor venue is expected to generate an annual economic impact exceeding $1 billion, reinforcing the region’s position as a major destination for tourism, entertainment, and large-scale events.
“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. “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. We’re excited for what this means for our people, and how it will showcase the best of what Maryland has to offer to everyone who visits.”
Prince George’s County leaders also highlighted the project as a milestone in the county’s economic development strategy.
“This is a world-class win and an incredibly exciting moment for Prince George’s County. This achievement reflects the strong partnership we have built with Governor Wes Moore and the State of Maryland, as well as a disciplined, experienced team that knows how to compete and win major projects at a national scale,” said Prince George's County Executive Aisha N. Braveboy. “As only the second Sphere venue in the United States, this project demonstrates the future of economic development in Prince George’s County, how we compete, how we win, and how we attract other world-class destinations that will become flagship projects for our County, our State, and the entire region. I love winning for Prince George’s County.”
Located roughly 15 minutes from Washington, D.C., National Harbor attracts more than 15 million visitors annually and features a wide range of entertainment, dining, retail, convention, and hospitality offerings. Developers say the Sphere venue would further strengthen National Harbor’s appeal as a year-round destination for residents and visitors from across the U.S. and abroad.
“We are excited to partner with Sphere Entertainment, the State of Maryland, and Prince George’s County to bring a Sphere to National Harbor,” said Jon Peterson, Chief Executive Officer of the Peterson Companies. “This innovative project will further reinforce National Harbor as the national capital region’s premier destination for conventions, entertainment, retail and dining, and hospitality; deliver more economic activity and jobs; and elevate National Harbor, and Maryland, as one of the country’s preeminent tourism and entertainment hubs.”
The venue would host original Sphere Experiences, concerts, artist residencies, and branded events, expanding the range of immersive entertainment available in the region.
The proposed National Harbor Sphere would be the first smaller-scale Sphere venue, with a planned seating capacity of approximately 6,000. Despite its reduced size, the venue would feature the same advanced technologies that define the Las Vegas Sphere, including a 16K-by-16K interior LED display — the highest-resolution LED screen in the world — along with Sphere Immersive Sound, haptic seating, and 4D environmental effects.
The venue would also include an Exosphere, the exterior LED display that showcases artistic and branded content to audiences both locally and globally.
Sphere in Las Vegas was recently ranked No. 1 on Billboard’s and Pollstar’s 2025 lists of top-grossing venues worldwide, underscoring the brand’s commercial and cultural impact.
Any construction, financing, and operation of the National Harbor Sphere remain subject to the negotiation and execution of definitive agreements, as well as receipt of required governmental approvals and incentives from Prince George’s County and the State of Maryland.
If approved, the project would represent a major expansion of Sphere Entertainment’s vision for a global network of immersive venues, while establishing a new entertainment icon for the Mid-Atlantic region.
Originally reported by Sphere Entertainment Co. in Investor.Sphere Entertainment Co.
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