National Harbor Poised to Welcome Sphere Entertainment’s Next-Generation Immersive Venue

National Harbor, Maryland – Sphere Entertainment Co., in collaboration with the State of Maryland, Prince George’s County, and Peterson Companies, has announced its intention to develop a new Sphere venue at National Harbor. This project marks the second U.S. location for Sphere and the first to feature a smaller-scale design, aiming to drive significant economic, cultural, and community benefits to the region. The initiative is anticipated to involve approximately $200 million in combined state, local, and private incentives.

The proposed venue aims to become a new landmark, offering unparalleled immersive experiences powered by advanced technologies. This development is expected to create a substantial number of jobs, with approximately 2,500 positions estimated during the construction phase and an additional 4,750 jobs once the venue is operational. Furthermore, the project is projected to generate millions in annual revenue for both Prince George’s County and the State of Maryland, with an anticipated economic impact exceeding $1 billion each year.

James L. Dolan, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Sphere Entertainment, expressed the company’s commitment to expanding its network of venues in forward-thinking cities and highlighted the potential of the National Harbor location to elevate immersive experiences. Governor Wes Moore of Maryland emphasized the state’s history of providing world-class entertainment and stated that this project represents one of the largest economic development initiatives in Prince George’s County history. Prince George’s County Executive Aisha N. Braveboy underscored the significance of the project as a demonstration of the county’s ability to attract world-class destinations and compete on a national scale. Jon Peterson, CEO of Peterson Companies, added that the Sphere would further solidify National Harbor’s status as a premier destination for conventions, entertainment, retail, dining, and hospitality.

National Harbor, situated approximately 15 minutes from Washington, D.C., is already a prominent tourism and entertainment hub in the Washington metropolitan area. Annually, it attracts over 15 million visitors who engage in its array of entertainment, dining, retail, gaming, and convention offerings. The addition of a Sphere venue is expected to serve as a major year-round attraction, providing a variety of immersive experiences, including original Sphere programming, concerts, and branded events, for both local residents and the millions of tourists who visit the area.

The proposed National Harbor venue will be the first Sphere venue to utilize a smaller-scale design, with an anticipated seating capacity of 6,000. Despite its reduced size, it will incorporate signature Sphere features such as the Exosphere, an exterior LED display capable of showcasing artistic and branded content, and an interior 16K x 16K LED display, which is the highest-resolution LED screen globally. Advanced technologies, including Sphere Immersive Sound and haptic seating with 4D environmental effects, are also planned for the venue. These advancements are consistent with Sphere Entertainment’s strategy to offer its unique immersive experiences across various venue sizes.

The realization of this project is subject to several conditions, including the successful negotiation and execution of definitive agreements, as well as the receipt of necessary governmental incentives and approvals from Prince George’s County and the State of Maryland.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from Sphere Entertainment Co.

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