Maryland’s National Harbor, already home to a major casino and convention center, could soon offer another Las Vegas-style attraction: a “mini” version of that city’s famous Sphere venue.
The proposed 6,000-seat facility at the mixed-use riverfront complex outside Washington, D.C., is the first in a planned global network of smaller-scale versions of the original $2 billion, 875,000-square-foot Las Vegas Sphere, which opened in 2023, according to the project’s owner, Sphere Entertainment Co.
In addition to its signature “Exosphere,” a full outdoor LED screen that displays artistic and branded content, the venue would also feature a 16K x 16K indoor viewing plane, the highest resolution LED screen in the world, according to the company. Advanced sound technologies, haptic seats and 4D environmental effects would combine to create a wide range of immersive experiences. The Maryland Sphere will also have the capacity to host indoor sports and other major events.
No contractor has been named for the estimated $1 million project, which will be located on an 8-acre site in National Harbor. AECOM served as the general contractor for the original Las Vegas arena 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. provide more than $200 million in incentives for the project, which could open by 2030.
