New Sphere venue planned for Maryland’s National Harbor

Madison Square Garden Entertainment, the company behind the Las Vegas Sphere, has its sights set on the Washington, DC waterfront for its next venue.

A smaller Sphere is planned for the National Harbor in Maryland, part of the D.C. metro area on the Potomac River. MSG has signed a deal with the state of Maryland, Prince George’s County and Peterson Companies in an effort to make the site a tourist destination, according to the Hollywood Reporter. 

Plans for the National Harbor Sphere align with MSG’s previously announced plan to construct “mini-sphere” venues in other US cities, with estimated capacity at 6,000 compared to the Las Vegas Sphere’s 20,000 capacity. The outside of the new Sphere will be fitted with the signature “Exosphere” screen facade and the inside arena will display “the world’s highest-resolution LED screen”. 

The National Harbor Sphere will be financed using private and public funds, “including approximately $200 million in state, local and private incentives”, the Hollywood Reporter wrote. 

“Our focus has always been on creating a global network of Spheres across forward-looking cities”, Sphere Entertainment CEO James Dolan said in a press statement. “…With a commitment to bringing innovative opportunities to residents and visitors, Governor Moore, County Executive Braveboy, the State of Maryland, and Prince George’s County recognize the potential for a Sphere at National Harbor to elevate and advance immersive experiences across the area.”

After being proposed in 2019, controversial plans for a 21,000-capacity London Sphere in Stratford were withdrawn in early 2024 following a formal rejection by London mayor Sadiq Khan. MSG is planning another large-scale Sphere for Abu Dhabi. 

Last September, Tomorrowland and Insomniac teamed up for a UNITY event series at the Las Vegas Sphere headlined by Chase & Status, Kaskade and Eli Brown.