Photo Credit: Sphere Entertainment
Sphere Entertainment and the State of Maryland announce plans to develop a smaller-scale Sphere model in National Harbor, Maryland.
Sphere Entertainment, the State of Maryland, Prince George’s County, and Peterson Companies have announced their plan to develop a new Sphere venue—the second in the U.S. and the first to utilize a smaller-scale design model—at National Harbor in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.
The project would make use of a combination of public and private funding, including approximately $200 million in state, local, and private incentives. Sphere would support around 2,500 jobs during the construction phase and 4,750 jobs once operational, besides generating millions in additional revenue for the county and state. Once open, the economic impact of Sphere National Harbor is expected to be over $1 billion annually.
“Our focus has always been on creating a global network of Spheres across forward-looking cities,” said James 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.”
“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.”
“This is a world-class win and an incredibly exciting moment for Prince George’s County. This achievement reflects the strong partnership we have built with Governor Wes Moore and the State of Maryland, as well as a disciplined, experienced team that knows how to compete and win major projects at a national scale,” said Prince George’s County Executive Aisha N. Braveboy. “As only the second Sphere venue in the United States, this project demonstrates the future of economic development in Prince George’s County, how we compete, how we win, and how we attract other world-class destinations that will become flagship projects for our County, our State, and the entire region. I love winning for Prince George’s County.”
“We are excited to partner with Sphere Entertainment, the State of Maryland, and Prince George’s County to bring a Sphere to National Harbor,” said Jon Peterson, Chief Executive Officer of the Peterson Companies. “This innovative project will further reinforce National Harbor as the national capital region’s premier destination for conventions, entertainment, retail and dining, and hospitality; deliver more economic activity and jobs; and elevate National Harbor, and Maryland, as one of the country’s preeminent tourism and entertainment hubs.”
Located just 15 minutes from Washington, D.C., National Harbor is a top entertainment and tourism destination in the DMV (District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia) region, offering entertainment, dining, retail, gaming, convention, and leisure activities to more than 15 million visitors annually. A Sphere at National Harbor would become a major year-round draw, offering an array of immersive experiences, concerts, and brand events.
The proposed venue would be the first smaller-scale Sphere, with a capacity of 6,000 seats, and would feature an Exosphere—the exterior LED display on the original Sphere that showcases both artistic and branded content. The venue would also feature a 16K x 16K interior display plane—the world’s highest resolution LED screen. Additionally, the smaller Sphere would have the original venue’s advanced technologies, including Sphere Immersive Sound, haptic seating, and 4D environmental effects.
The construction, development, financing, and operation of a Sphere venue at National Harbor is contingent upon negotiation and execution of definitive agreements, as well as the receipt of certain governmental incentives and approvals from the county and state.
