Sphere Entertainment Co. is expanding its cutting-edge venue concept beyond Las Vegas, announcing plans to bring a new Sphere to National Harbor in Prince George’s County, Maryland. In a joint statement on Thursday, Sphere Entertainment, the State of Maryland, Prince George’s County officials, and developer Peterson Companies unveiled a preliminary agreement to develop the immersive entertainment venue along the Potomac River, just outside Washington, D.C. The proposed project marks a significant step in the region’s push to attract world-class attractions and underscores growing interest in experiential entertainment as an economic driver.
Sphere Entertainment Partners With Maryland Leaders to Bring Immersive Venue to National Harbor
Sphere Entertainment Co. has reached a preliminary agreement with state and local officials to develop a next-generation immersive venue at National Harbor, signaling a major economic and cultural investment for the region. The planned project, envisioned as a new anchor attraction along the Potomac waterfront, is expected to blend cutting-edge visual and acoustic technologies with large-scale live entertainment. State and county leaders describe the initiative as a strategic move to strengthen Maryland’s position in the competitive Mid-Atlantic tourism and convention market, while Peterson Companies, the master developer of National Harbor, anticipates a boost in year-round visitation and hospitality demand.
Under the intent framework, the collaboration focuses on a shared commitment to jobs, infrastructure improvements, and community integration, with officials highlighting the potential for broad local impact through:
- Job creation during construction and ongoing operations
- Expanded tourism tied to entertainment, dining, and retail
- Transportation upgrades to support increased regional access
- Education and workforce programs in partnership with local institutions
| Key Focus | Expected Benefit |
|---|---|
| Construction Phase | New union and trade jobs |
| Operations | Permanent venue and hospitality roles |
| Regional Economy | Increased visitor spending |
| Local Community | Civic, arts, and education initiatives |
Economic Impact and Job Creation Projections for Prince Georges County
The proposed Sphere at National Harbor is expected to serve as a powerful economic catalyst, reshaping Prince George’s County’s tourism and entertainment landscape while generating sustained fiscal benefits. Early projections from project partners indicate that construction and ongoing operations will stimulate new business formation, increased hospitality demand, and higher visitor spending across the region. Anticipated economic contributions include:
- Significant private capital investment in construction, technology, and infrastructure
- Boosted tourism driven by large-scale events, immersive shows, and international visitors
- Higher local tax revenues from hotel occupancy, sales, and income taxes
- Spillover growth for nearby restaurants, retail, and small businesses
- Strengthened regional brand positioning National Harbor as a premier East Coast destination
| Category | Estimated Impact |
|---|---|
| Construction Jobs | 1,500+ temporary positions |
| Permanent On-Site Jobs | 800–1,000 roles |
| Indirect & Induced Jobs | 1,200+ across the county |
| Annual Visitor Spend | Hundreds of millions (projected) |
Job creation associated with the venue is expected to span a wide range of skill levels, from specialized technical and production roles to hospitality, security, transportation, and guest services. Local leaders and project stakeholders anticipate targeted workforce development partnerships with Prince George’s County schools, community colleges, and training programs to ensure residents are positioned for new opportunities. Key employment benefits are projected to include:
- Union and skilled trades work during multi-year construction phases
- Long-term careers in venue management, audio-visual production, and digital media
- Entry-level positions designed to create pathways into the entertainment and tourism sectors
- Local hiring commitments aimed at maximizing participation by Prince George’s County residents
- Diverse workforce pipelines emphasizing inclusive recruitment and advancement
Infrastructure Demands Transportation Access and Environmental Considerations
Delivering a next-generation live entertainment venue at National Harbor will require a layered approach to mobility, utilities, and ecological stewardship. Project partners are coordinating with regional planners to analyze roadway capacity, transit connectivity, and pedestrian safety, prioritizing seamless links to Metro stations, rideshare hubs, and existing harbor walkways. Preliminary plans envision integrated drop-off zones, improved signal timing on key corridors, and enhanced wayfinding that guides visitors from regional gateways directly to the venue. In parallel, utility providers are assessing grid resilience and broadband redundancy to support the venue’s advanced audio-visual systems and real-time data operations.
Environmental reviews are expected to focus on the project’s relationship to the Potomac River, neighboring communities, and existing National Harbor amenities. Stakeholders are evaluating options to reduce traffic-related emissions, protect water quality, and preserve view corridors along the waterfront. As discussions advance, potential measures under consideration include:
- Multimodal access enhancements to favor public transit, walking, and cycling.
- Stormwater management systems designed to modern standards for runoff control.
- Noise and light mitigation strategies to limit impacts on nearby residents and habitats.
- Energy-efficient technologies to lower the venue’s long-term environmental footprint.
| Focus Area | Sample Initiative |
|---|---|
| Traffic Flow | Smart signals and coordinated event routing |
| Transit Links | Shuttle connections to key Metro stations |
| Waterfront Protection | Enhanced stormwater filtration and monitoring |
| Community Quality of Life | Noise modeling and lighting controls |
Policy Recommendations for Community Benefits Workforce Development and Local Business Integration
Stakeholders are poised to leverage the project’s long-term footprint by aligning hiring pipelines, training programs, and procurement policies with the needs of nearby neighborhoods. Proposed measures include: first-source hiring agreements with Prince George’s County residents, targeted apprenticeship and internship placements for local students, and the creation of sector-specific academies focused on hospitality, live entertainment technology, and building trades. To ensure transparency, officials and partners are expected to set clear performance benchmarks and publicly track progress on hiring, retention, and advancement for underrepresented groups.
- Local hiring goals for construction and permanent operations roles
- Pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship pathways tied to union and non-union careers
- Vendor readiness support to prepare small firms to meet procurement standards
- Technical and creative skills training aligned with Sphere’s innovative technologies
| Priority Area | Proposed Action | Local Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Workforce | County-based job pipelines | Higher resident employment |
| Training | STEM & media labs in schools | Future-ready talent |
| Small Business | Set-asides for local vendors | More contracts, more growth |
| Diversity | Equity-focused hiring metrics | Inclusive job access |
New policy frameworks under consideration would embed local business participation into every phase of development, from construction to day-to-day venue operations. Officials are weighing requirements for a defined percentage of contracts to go to local, minority-, women-, and veteran-owned enterprises, along with technical assistance to help these firms compete for larger, more complex scopes of work. In addition, partners are discussing streamlined permitting and a dedicated small business liaison office at National Harbor, designed to connect neighborhood entrepreneurs with concession, catering, technology, and maintenance opportunities linked to the venue’s high visitor volume.
Insights and Conclusions
As plans move from memorandum to formal agreements and detailed design, the coming months will test how swiftly the partners can convert vision into a viable project. What is clear for now is that National Harbor has been placed at the center of a high-stakes bet on next-generation live entertainment—one that could reshape the region’s cultural landscape, redefine its waterfront skyline, and set a new benchmark for large-scale experiential venues beyond Las Vegas.
