Sphere Entertainment has unveiled plans for its second U.S. venue, marking a significant expansion of the entertainment brand's presence in the country.
The company, behind Las Vegas' state-of-the-art Sphere, revealed that it will be building a smaller-scale version at National Harbor in Maryland, a major tourist destination just outside Washington, D.C. The proposed 6,000-seat venue is significantly smaller than its larger counterpart in Las Vegas, but will still boast an exterior "Exosphere" LED display and the world's highest-resolution LED display interior theater.
According to James Dolan, executive chairman and CEO of Sphere Entertainment, the company's focus has always been on creating a global network of Spheres across forward-looking cities. The Maryland venue is part of this vision, with a partnership between Sphere Entertainment, the state of Maryland, Prince George's County, and Peterson Companies driving the project.
The $200 million project will be funded through a combination of public and private investment, including roughly $200 million in state, local, and private incentives. Once open, it's projected to host year-round entertainment and generate $1 billion annually.
Dolan described Sphere as "a new experiential medium" that aims to bring innovative opportunities to residents and visitors. The State of Maryland, Prince George's County, and Governor Moore have all recognized the potential for a Sphere at National Harbor to elevate and advance immersive experiences across the area.
The upcoming Sphere in Maryland will be the third planned location, following the original venue in Las Vegas and another proposed for Abu Dhabi. Since opening in 2023, the Las Vegas Sphere has hosted a star-studded lineup of musical acts and immersive productions like a new adaptation of "The Wizard of Oz." The venue ranked No. 1 on Billboard's Top Venue chart for buildings with a capacity of 15,000 or more, grossing $370 million from 105 shows.
The company, behind Las Vegas' state-of-the-art Sphere, revealed that it will be building a smaller-scale version at National Harbor in Maryland, a major tourist destination just outside Washington, D.C. The proposed 6,000-seat venue is significantly smaller than its larger counterpart in Las Vegas, but will still boast an exterior "Exosphere" LED display and the world's highest-resolution LED display interior theater.
According to James Dolan, executive chairman and CEO of Sphere Entertainment, the company's focus has always been on creating a global network of Spheres across forward-looking cities. The Maryland venue is part of this vision, with a partnership between Sphere Entertainment, the state of Maryland, Prince George's County, and Peterson Companies driving the project.
The $200 million project will be funded through a combination of public and private investment, including roughly $200 million in state, local, and private incentives. Once open, it's projected to host year-round entertainment and generate $1 billion annually.
Dolan described Sphere as "a new experiential medium" that aims to bring innovative opportunities to residents and visitors. The State of Maryland, Prince George's County, and Governor Moore have all recognized the potential for a Sphere at National Harbor to elevate and advance immersive experiences across the area.
The upcoming Sphere in Maryland will be the third planned location, following the original venue in Las Vegas and another proposed for Abu Dhabi. Since opening in 2023, the Las Vegas Sphere has hosted a star-studded lineup of musical acts and immersive productions like a new adaptation of "The Wizard of Oz." The venue ranked No. 1 on Billboard's Top Venue chart for buildings with a capacity of 15,000 or more, grossing $370 million from 105 shows.