New Sphere Venue Planned Near Washington, D.C.
James Dolan, the owner of Madison Square Garden, aims to bring the excitement of the Las Vegas Sphere to a new location— a striking spherical arena planned for National Harbor, just outside Washington, D.C. This project is backed by roughly $200 million in combined public and private funding.
The proposed venue will accommodate 6,000 seats and marks Sphere’s second location in the U.S., featuring a more compact design. Once operational, it is anticipated to attract entertainment audiences year-round and generate over $1 billion in annual revenue.
This initiative was unveiled on Sunday by Sphere Entertainment, the state of Maryland, Prince George’s County, and developer Peterson Companies. National Harbor will follow the Las Vegas Sphere as the next U.S. venue.
Dolan, the executive chairman of Sphere Entertainment, emphasized the company’s goal to expand Sphere’s global presence in forward-thinking cities.
As the head of MSG—which also owns entities like the Knicks, Rangers, and Radio City Music Hall—Dolan described Sphere as a “new experiential medium,” expressing gratitude for the backing of local officials.
Maryland Governor Wes Moore highlighted the project as one of the largest economic developments in Prince George’s County’s history, while County Executive Aisha Braveboy called it a “world-class victory,” reflecting the county’s capacity for significant developments at a national level.
Sphere has stated that construction will create around 2,500 jobs, with an additional 4,750 jobs expected once the venue opens, contributing millions in new revenue to Prince George’s County and the state.
Situated roughly 15 minutes from the heart of Washington, D.C., National Harbor attracts over 15 million visitors annually with its mix of hotels, dining, entertainment, and convention facilities along the Potomac River.
The new Sphere is set to be a year-round attraction, offering original immersive shows, concerts, and branded events for both residents and tourists.
The plans for the National Harbor Sphere include an enormous indoor LED screen, touted as having the highest resolution in the world, along with advanced sound technology and features designed to engage multiple senses.
In contrast, the original Las Vegas Sphere has a capacity of over 11,000 seats and covers a much larger area. However, it utilizes similar technologies, including its signature “Exosphere” LED display and immersive audio system.
The Las Vegas Sphere has swiftly gained recognition as one of the most lucrative live entertainment venues globally, ranking at the top of Billboard and Pollstar’s 2025 list of profitable venues.
Sphere Entertainment is also eyeing international growth, with plans for a full-scale Sphere in Abu Dhabi, part of its strategy to cultivate a worldwide network of immersive entertainment experiences.
Since its public offering in April 2020, Sphere Entertainment’s stock has surged by more than 108%. As of Monday, shares were trading at $96.36 each.
