National Harbor Sphere project approval

The Prince George’s County Council has granted final approval for the development of a Sphere entertainment venue at National Harbor, Maryland. The project, estimated to cost up to $1.4 billion, is designed to be a smaller-scale version of the Las Vegas flagship, featuring a 6,000-seat capacity and advanced audiovisual technology including a 16K-by-16K interior LED screen and an exterior LED display known as the ‘Exosphere’.

To facilitate the project, the Council authorized up to $215 million in special obligation bonds, which will be supplemented by $13.5 million from the state of Maryland. These funds are intended to be repaid through tax revenues generated by the venue. While the project faced discussions regarding labor requirements, the Council passed amendments for a community benefit agreement and a labor peace agreement.

Scheduled to open in early 2030, the venue is projected to generate approximately $63 million in annual tax revenue for the county. Economic impact estimates suggest the development could provide $1.3 billion for Prince George’s County and $1.5 billion for the state of Maryland.