NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. — Sphere Entertainment Co., in partnership with the State of Maryland, Prince George’s County and Peterson Companies, announced Jan. 18, 2026, plans to develop a new Sphere venue at National Harbor, marking what would be the second Sphere in the United States and the first to use a smaller-scale design.
The proposed venue would become a new landmark for Maryland and the Washington, D.C., metropolitan region, offering immersive entertainment experiences powered by advanced audio, visual and environmental technologies. If approved, the project would be located at National Harbor, a major tourism and entertainment destination along the Potomac River about 15 minutes from Washington.
Sphere Entertainment Chairman and CEO James L. Dolan said the project aligns with the company’s vision of creating a global network of Sphere venues in major cities.
“Sphere is a new experiential medium,” Dolan said in a statement, adding that state and local leaders recognize the potential for a Sphere at National Harbor to expand immersive entertainment opportunities for residents and visitors.
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore called the proposal one of the largest economic development projects in Prince George’s County history, saying it would strengthen the state’s reputation as a destination for world-class entertainment and innovation.
Prince George’s County Executive Aisha N. Braveboy said the project reflects a strong partnership between the county and the state and demonstrates how the county competes for major national developments. She described the proposed venue as a flagship project with the potential to attract additional high-profile destinations to the region.
Jon Peterson, chief executive officer of Peterson Companies, said the Sphere would further establish National Harbor as the region’s premier destination for conventions, entertainment, dining and tourism, while creating new jobs and economic activity.
The project would be funded through a combination of public and private sources, including about $200 million in state, local and private incentives. Developers estimate the venue would support approximately 2,500 jobs during construction and about 4,750 jobs once operational. The annual economic impact of Sphere National Harbor is projected to exceed $1 billion.
The proposed National Harbor Sphere would seat about 6,000 people, making it the first smaller-scale version of the venue. Despite its reduced size, it would include the signature features of the Las Vegas Sphere, including an exterior LED “Exosphere,” a 16K-by-16K interior display described as the world’s highest-resolution LED screen, immersive sound technology, haptic seating and 4D environmental effects.
Sphere in Las Vegas was recently ranked No. 1 on Billboard’s and Pollstar’s 2025 lists of top-grossing venues worldwide. Sphere Entertainment has also announced plans for a Sphere venue in Abu Dhabi as part of its global expansion strategy.
The National Harbor project remains subject to negotiations, execution of definitive agreements, and the receipt of required governmental approvals and incentives from Prince George’s County and the State of Maryland.
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Apparently, the LV Sphere is almost a billion $ in debt.
No taxpayer $ should be used for this.
Traffic is already a nightmare there when different events are going on!
Disgusting eyesore
Not everything that brings $ to the state is a good idea.
Can I get a “Hell Yeah” brother!