NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. — A smaller, East Coast version of the immersive Sphere entertainment venue made famous in Las Vegas could soon rise along the Potomac River, state and local officials announced Sunday.
Sphere Entertainment Co. said it intends to build a new Sphere venue at National Harbor in partnership with the State of Maryland, Prince George’s County and the Peterson Companies. If completed, the project would be only the second Sphere in the United States and the first to use a scaled-down design tailored for urban regions outside Las Vegas.
“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 of Sphere Entertainment. “Sphere is a new experiential medium, and National Harbor offers an opportunity to bring this technology to a vibrant and growing region.”
The proposed venue would seat approximately 6,000 people — significantly smaller than the 17,500-seat Las Vegas Sphere — while retaining the massive LED visuals, immersive audio and custom-built content that have made the original venue a global attraction. The site would host concerts, immersive film experiences and large-scale brand and cultural events year-round, according to project leaders.
Gov. Wes Moore described the project as a major economic opportunity for the state and the county.
“This will be one of the largest economic development projects in Prince George’s County history,” Moore said. “It proves once again that Maryland is the best place in the country to bring bold ideas to life.”
County Executive Aisha N. Braveboy said the announcement reflects a long-term strategy to attract marquee destinations and private investment to the county.
“As only the second Sphere venue in the United States, this project shows how Prince George’s County competes, how we win, and how we position ourselves for the future,” Braveboy said.
Jon Peterson, chief executive officer of the Peterson Companies, said the venue would strengthen National Harbor’s role as a regional tourism and entertainment hub.
“This innovative project would further reinforce National Harbor as the capital region’s premier destination for entertainment, conventions, dining and hospitality,” Peterson said.
Officials estimate the development could generate thousands of jobs during construction and several thousand permanent positions once operational, with an annual economic impact projected to exceed $1 billion. The proposal also includes a combination of state, county and private financing incentives, though exact terms have not been finalized.
The project remains in its early stages and is subject to negotiations, zoning approvals and financing agreements. No construction timeline has been announced.
National Harbor, located just south of Washington, has grown over the past decade into a major waterfront destination with hotels, retail, conference space and the MGM Grand Casino.
