Prince George’s County approves $1.4 billion Sphere venue for National Harbor

The Prince George’s County Council has officially approved a financing deal for a new immersive venue at National Harbor, Maryland. The $1.4 billion project, intended to be the second Sphere in the United States, will feature a smaller-scale design with a 6,000-seat capacity compared to the 20,000-seat flagship in Las Vegas.

The facility will include advanced audiovisual technology, such as a 16K-by-16K interior LED screen, haptic seating, 4D environmental effects, and an exterior LED display known as the Exosphere. To support the development, the county council voted 8-0 to authorize up to $215 million in special obligation bonds, supplemented by $13.5 million from the state of Maryland. Sphere Entertainment Co. is expected to gradually repay these bonds.

Scheduled to open in early 2030, the venue is projected to generate approximately $63 million in annual tax revenue for Prince George’s County. The site is located along the Potomac River near the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, adjacent to MGM National Harbor.