A new Sphere could rise at National Harbor under a proposal announced Sunday, a project officials say could become a new regional landmark and one of the largest economic development efforts in Prince George’s County history.
If finalized, the project would mark the second Sphere venue in the United States and the first built using a smaller-scale design. The proposed 6,000-seat venue would be roughly 15 minutes from Washington, D.C.
Gov. Wes Moore, Prince George’s County Executive Aisha Braveboy, Sphere Entertainment CEO James Dolan and Peterson Companies CEO Jon Peterson all released statements Sunday in support of the concept.
Dolan said his company is working to build a global network of Spheres in “forward-looking cities,” calling the venue “a new experiential medium.”
“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 immersive experiences across the area,” Dolan said.
What is the Sphere?
The Sphere concept is a new kind of live entertainment venue built around fully immersive technology. The original opened in Las Vegas, Nevada in 2023 and generated $497.2 million in revenue for its first fiscal year, according to reporting by the Sports Business Journal.
Rather than a traditional arena or theater, a Sphere is designed as a massive, domed structure where the walls and ceiling function as a continuous, ultra-high-resolution LED screen. Inside, audiences are surrounded by visual content displayed on a single seamless surface, creating the effect of being inside the experience rather than watching it from a distance.
In his statement Sunday, Moore said the project would rank among the largest economic development efforts in Prince George’s County history, adding it would showcase Maryland as a destination for world-class entertainment.
Braveboy called the proposal a “world-class win” and said it reflects Prince George’s County’s growing ability to compete for major national projects.
“As only the second Sphere venue in the United States, this project demonstrates the future of economic development in Prince George’s County,” Braveboy said.
Looking at the funding
According to the proposal discussed Sunday, this Sphere would rely on a mix of public and private financing, including about $200 million in state, local and private incentives. Developers estimate the venue would support about 2,500 construction jobs and roughly 4,750 jobs once operational. Once open, the annual economic impact is projected to exceed $1 billion.
Peterson said in a statement the Sphere would further cement National Harbor’s role as a regional tourism and entertainment hub.
National Harbor already draws more than 15 million visitors annually with its mix of dining, retail, gaming, convention and entertainment offerings.
The proposed venue would be the first smaller-scale Sphere, featuring a 16K-by-16K interior LED display — billed as the world’s highest-resolution screen — along with immersive sound, haptic seating and 4D environmental effects. The exterior would include an Exosphere LED display visible beyond the venue.
Sphere’s flagship Las Vegas venue was recently ranked the world’s top-grossing venue by Billboard and Pollstar. The company also announced last fall that it plans to launch a Sphere in Abu Dhabi, with no timeline given.
State and local officials stressed Sunday that the National Harbor project is not a finalized project. Both Moore’s office and Prince George’s County officials pointed out moving forward remains contingent on final development agreements and financing arrangements. There would also need to be incentive packages created and approved by Prince George’s County and the State of Maryland.
Have a news tip? Contact Emerging News Editor Brian Carlton at bcarlton@baltsun.com.