Already home to a major casino and convention center, Maryland’s National Harbor may soon offer another Las Vegas-style attraction—a “mini” version of that city’s famed Sphere venue.
According to project owner Sphere Entertainment Co., the proposed 6,000-seat facility at the riverfront mixed-use complex outside Washington, D.C., is the first of a planned global network of smaller-scale versions of the original $2-billion, 875,000-sq-ft Las Vegas Sphere, which opened in 2023.
In addition to its signature “Exosphere”—a full wrap-around exterior LED display 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, according to the company. Advanced sound, haptic seating and 4D environmental effect technologies would combine to create a wide range of immersive experiences. The Maryland Sphere will also have the capability to host indoor sports and other major events.
No contractor has been named for the estimated $1-billion project, which will be located on an 8-acre site at National Harbor. AECOM served as general contractor for the original Las Vegas Sphere before MSG Entertainment assumed the role of construction manager in December 2020.
Negotiations are underway for the state of Maryland, Prince George’s County and National Harbor developer Peterson Cos. to provide more than $200 million in incentives for the project, which could open as early as 2030.
