Sphere Venue Approved for National Harbor in Maryland

Prince George's County Council has approved financing for a second U.S. Sphere venue. The 8-0 vote authorizes up to $215 million in special obligation bonds toward the roughly $1.4 billion project at National Harbor in Maryland, clearing the last major hurdle for construction.

Smaller Scale, Same Technology

Sphere at National Harbor will seat approximately 6,000 guests, a significant reduction from the nearly 18,000-capacity Sphere Las Vegas. Despite the smaller footprint, Sphere Entertainment Co. plans to bring the same core technology to the East Coast venue, including a 16K x 16K interior LED display, spatial audio, haptic seating, and 4D environmental effects.

The exterior will feature an Exosphere, the programmable LED display already used at the Las Vegas location for artwork, advertising, and visual content. The venue will host concerts, cinematic presentations, original Sphere Experiences, and other live events, following the residency model already established in Las Vegas.

Economic Impact Projections

An economic impact analysis projects roughly $63 million in annual tax revenue for Prince George's County once the venue becomes operational. The same analysis estimates more than $1.3 billion in annual economic activity for the county, with another $200 million expected elsewhere in Maryland.

The project could support approximately 7,100 full- and part-time positions across Prince George's County once operations and visitor spending are included. The analysis also projects around $1.6 billion in economic benefits from construction, alongside thousands of construction-related jobs.

Location and Timeline

The venue will sit within National Harbor, roughly 15 minutes from Washington, D.C., near MGM National Harbor and other attractions along the Potomac River. The area already attracts millions of visitors annually through its hotels, restaurants, retail, and entertainment venues.

Sphere Entertainment expects major construction to begin in 2027, with Sphere at National Harbor currently targeting an opening in 2030.