USA – The world’s biggest LED display project is to get a smaller cousin on the east coast of the USA. The new Sphere, to be built at the National Harbor waterfront resort 15 minutes from Washington DC, will not just be the second in the US.
It will also be the first in Sphere Entertainment’s proposed network of smaller Sphere venues around the world.
It will, in addition, be the third Sphere globally, after Sphere Entertainment previously announced plans for a full-scale Sphere in Abu Dhabi.
“Our focus has always been on creating a global network of Spheres across forward-looking cities,” said James L. Dolan, executive chairman and CEO of Sphere Entertainment Co.
Sphere National Harbor will have a capacity of 6,000 seats, a third of Sphere Las Vegas. However, it will still have the Sphere’s trademark Exosphere exterior LED display and 16K x 16K interior display plane. It will also come with Sphere Immersive Sound, haptic seating and 4D environmental effects.
The smaller-scale Sphere is to be developed by Sphere Entertainment Co, the State of Maryland, Prince George’s County and Peterson Companies. In an announcement, they said their aim is to develop a new attraction in Maryland that brings economic, cultural and community benefits to the county, state and region.
The project will use a combination of public and private funding, including around $200m in state, local and private incentives. The Sphere will support some 2,500 jobs during construction and 4,750 once operational.
Sphere Las Vegas was recently ranked #1 on both Billboard’s and Pollstar’s 2025 lists of top-grossing venues worldwide, while the total economic impact of Sphere National Harbor is expected to be greater than $1bn annually.
Construction of the Sphere in National Harbor remains contingent on negotiation of definitive agreements, as well as approval and receipt of incentives from the State of Maryland and Prince George’s County. National Harbor is situated along the Potomac river and its entertainment, dining, retail, gaming, convention and leisure activities attract more than 15 million visitors a year. Sphere National Harbor will add an array of immersive experiences, including original Sphere Experiences, concerts and brand events to the mix.
