Sphere Entertainment, the State of Maryland, Prince George’s County, and Peterson Companies have announced their intent to bring a future Sphere venue to National Harbor.
When it comes to futuristic venues, Sphere is at the top of the game. Currently only found in Las Vegas, the expansive venue offers world-class entertainment and a unique experience unlike anything else on the planet. While thousands have flocked to the desert to check out all that it has to offer, Sphere Entertainment has eyed a new location for a second Sphere to spring up at: National Harbor, Maryland.
The premier destination in the Washington DC metropolitan area is poised to become the new home for a Sphere venue. Sphere Entertainment teamed up with the State of Maryland, Prince George’s County, and Peterson Companies to announce that the cutting-edge space would be brought to life, creating a new regional landmark nestled near the Potomac River.
“Our focus has always been on creating a global network of Spheres across forward-looking cities,” said James L. Dolan, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Sphere Entertainment. “Sphere is a new experiential medium. With a commitment to bringing innovative opportunities to residents and visitors, Governor Moore, County Executive Braveboy, the State of Maryland, and Prince George’s County recognize the potential for a Sphere at National Harbor to elevate and advance immersive experiences across the area.”
National Harbor is 15 minutes from Washington DC, and is a top destination for entertainment and tourism in the DMV (District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia) region. The Sphere location there would be a year-round draw for domestic and international tourists, while also boosting the local economy. 2,500 jobs would be supported during the construction phase, while 4,750 jobs would be welcomed once the venue is operational, with the venue anticipated to generate millions of revenue for the County and State.
“Maryland has a long history of providing world-class entertainment and we could not be more excited to work with Sphere Entertainment to bring this cutting-edge project to life,” said Governor Wes Moore. “This will be one of the largest economic development projects in Prince George’s County history – proving once again our state is the best place in the country to bring dreams to life. We’re excited for what this means for our people, and how it will showcase the best of what Maryland has to offer to everyone who visits.”
Sphere Entertainment, which has seen success with its Las Vegas venue and plans to open another in Abu Dhabi, revealed that the National Harbor venue would be the first smaller-scale experience. The venue is planned to have a capacity of 6,000, much fewer than the 20,000 that the original Sphere in the desert can host at its maximum. That said, the immersive atmosphere and advanced technologies will remain the same, with the venue boasting its own Exosphere exterior LED display, a 16K x 16K interior display plane, haptic seating, and 4D environmental effects.
This announcement of intent marks the first step in bringing Sphere to National Harbor, but there are still miles to go before the venue can be built and open its doors. Construction, development, financing, and operation are all contingent on negotiation and execution of definitive agreements, along with receipt of governmental incentives and approvals from Prince George’s County and the State of Maryland.
Sphere in Las Vegas has already captivated thousands with highlighted shows featuring artists like U2, The Grateful Dead, Phish, Anyma, and Backstreet Boys, while also hosting experiences such as Insomniac and Tomorrowland’s UNITY. Illenium is slated to perform at the venue in March and April.
Only time will tell whether Sphere in National Harbor will offer larger-than-life moments from electronic artists. Stay tuned!