Prince George’s County is moving forward with plans to bring one of the most ambitious entertainment projects in the region to life, with officials aiming to break ground on a Sphere venue at National Harbor in late 2027.
According to reporting by the Washington Business Journal, the county is fast-tracking the proposed 6,000-seat venue, which would be located just north of MGM National Harbor. Leaders are working to push the project through the entitlement process by the end of this year as momentum continues to build.
A key piece of the project still hinges on state approval. Maryland lawmakers are currently considering HB1247, which would authorize $130 million in tax-increment financing bonds to support the development. The bill has already passed the House and is now awaiting action in the state Senate.
Plans for the National Harbor Sphere were first announced earlier this year as part of a partnership between Sphere Entertainment, the State of Maryland, Prince George’s County, and Peterson Companies, who own Rio Lakefront and Downtown Silver Spring here in Montgomery County. If approved, the venue would become the second Sphere location in the United States and the first to utilize a smaller-scale design model.
Despite its reduced capacity compared to the flagship Las Vegas venue, the National Harbor Sphere would still feature the company’s full suite of immersive technology. That includes the massive exterior LED “Exosphere,” a 16K by 16K interior display, immersive sound, haptic seating, and 4D environmental effects designed to create a fully sensory experience.
Officials say the project could significantly elevate National Harbor’s status as a major entertainment and tourism destination. The waterfront area already draws more than 15 million visitors annually, and the addition of a Sphere venue is expected to further boost year-round activity, conventions, and large-scale events.
The economic impact could be substantial. Previous projections estimate the project would support roughly 2,500 construction jobs and nearly 4,750 jobs once operational, while generating more than $1 billion in annual economic activity.
State and county leaders have framed the Sphere as one of the largest economic development opportunities in Prince George’s County history, with the potential to put Maryland at the forefront of next-generation entertainment.
The project remains contingent on final approvals, financing agreements, and government authorizations, but if those pieces fall into place, construction could begin as early as late 2027.
