6,000 Seats, 16K Screens And A $1.3B Boost: Inside The Sphere National Harbor Plan

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. — A 6,000-seat entertainment venue rising along the Potomac River could reshape Prince George’s County’s economy for a generation, according to a new analysis that puts the project’s annual impact at more than $1.3 billion once the doors open.

The proposed Sphere National Harbor, a scaled-down version of the immersive entertainment venue that has drawn global attention in Las Vegas, is planned as a year-round destination for concerts, brand events and original Sphere experiences. County officials and an economic analysis conducted by Ernst & Young LLP say the project’s reach would extend well beyond ticket sales, touching hotels, restaurants, retailers and other local businesses throughout the county.

What The Venue Would Include

Sphere National Harbor is designed around the same technology that has made the Las Vegas venue a landmark attraction. Plans call for an exterior LED display known as the Exosphere, which shows artistic and branded content visible for miles, paired with a 16K-by-16K interior display plane described as the highest-resolution LED screen in the world. The venue would also incorporate Sphere Immersive Sound, haptic seating and 4D environmental effects, according to details published by Prince George’s County.

Construction And Permanent Jobs

County officials said the project is expected to generate about $1.6 billion in economic benefits during the construction phase alone, supporting an estimated 3,350 full- and part-time construction-related jobs. Once operational, Sphere National Harbor is projected to directly and indirectly support roughly 7,100 full- and part-time positions within Prince George’s County.

Beyond the construction and operational job counts, the county estimates the venue would generate more than $1.3 billion in annual economic impact through operations and visitor spending — with an additional $200 million in annual impact projected for other parts of Maryland. Officials also project the project would generate about $63 million in annual tax revenue paid directly to Prince George’s County.

How The Project Would Be Financed

Much of the project’s public support is structured through tax increment financing, commonly known as TIF — a tool that allows bonds funded by private investors to help pay for a portion of a development project, with those bonds repaid through future new tax revenue the project itself generates. County officials said the approach would not tap into existing tax dollars or raise taxes for county residents.

National Harbor was originally developed using TIF, and county officials have pointed to Woodmore Town Center along with projects in Annapolis and Frostburg as other examples of the financing tool at work in Maryland.

A Competitive Process

Prince George’s County said it competed against other locations in the region to land the project, ultimately assembling an incentives package aimed at securing the venue over rival bids. The project was first announced in January, with county and state officials framing it as a major economic development opportunity for both Prince George’s County and Maryland. The updated economic impact analysis followed in February.

Formal project details — including a construction timeline and final development approvals — are still expected to move through the county’s review process in the months ahead.

Learn more at princegeorgescountymd.gov.

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