Sphere Entertainment, the State of Maryland, Prince George’s County, and Peterson Companies announced plans to pursue development of a Sphere venue at National Harbor, a move that would bring one of the most technologically advanced entertainment destinations in the world to the DMV region.
If approved, National Harbor would become the second U.S. location for Sphere and the first to use the company’s smaller-scale venue design model. The project would also create a new landmark for Maryland while significantly expanding the region’s entertainment and tourism offerings.
The proposed venue would be located at National Harbor, just 15 minutes from Washington, D.C., a destination that already attracts more than 15 million visitors annually. Officials say the addition of Sphere would strengthen National Harbor’s position as a year-round hub for entertainment, conventions, dining, and tourism.
Sphere Entertainment Chairman and CEO James L. Dolan said the project aligns with the company’s vision of building a global network of Spheres in forward-looking cities. He described Sphere as an entirely new experiential medium and praised state and county leaders for recognizing the opportunity to elevate immersive entertainment in the region.
Governor Wes Moore called the project one of the largest economic development initiatives in Prince George’s County history, emphasizing its potential to showcase Maryland on a global stage while creating jobs and long-term economic growth.
Prince George’s County Executive Aisha N. Braveboy described the announcement as a major win for the county, highlighting the collaboration between county and state leaders and positioning the project as a model for future large-scale economic development efforts.
Peterson Companies CEO Jon Peterson said the Sphere would further elevate National Harbor as a premier destination in the national capital region, generating new jobs, increased economic activity, and expanded tourism while reinforcing Maryland’s reputation as a leading entertainment hub.
The project would be supported through a combination of public and private funding, including approximately $200 million in state, local, and private incentives. Construction is expected to support roughly 2,500 jobs, with an estimated 4,750 jobs once the venue becomes operational. Once open, Sphere National Harbor is projected to generate more than $1 billion in annual economic impact.
The proposed National Harbor Sphere would seat approximately 6,000 people and would be the first smaller-scale Sphere venue. Despite the reduced capacity, it would include the full suite of Sphere technologies, including the iconic Exosphere exterior LED display, a 16K x 16K interior LED screen billed as the world’s highest-resolution display, Sphere Immersive Sound, haptic seating, and 4D environmental effects. Programming would include original Sphere Experiences, concerts, and branded events.
Sphere Entertainment’s flagship Las Vegas venue was recently ranked the number one top-grossing venue worldwide by both Billboard and Pollstar in 2025. The company’s global expansion plans currently include locations in Las Vegas, Abu Dhabi, and now potentially National Harbor.
Any construction, financing, or operation of the National Harbor Sphere remains contingent on final agreements and approval of governmental incentives and authorizations from Prince George’s County and the State of Maryland.
