Maryland Is Getting Its Own (Mini) Sphere
The Prince George’s County Council has authorized up to $215 million for a venue at the D.C. area National Harbor
East Coast concert lovers with a penchant for geodesic domes, rejoice: the Las Vegas Sphere is getting a sister venue in Maryland. WTOP reports that the Prince George’s County Council (PGCC) has approved up to $215 million in funding to build a Sphere on the Potomac River, just south of Washington, D.C.
The shape of the proposed Sphere at National Harbor will be the same, but the size will be smaller: where the Las Vegas Sphere can hold up to 20,000 people, the planned capacity for the Maryland venue is around 6,000. The new Sphere will be part of a larger complex. The PGCC voted unanimously on October 27 to push the project, which was first announced back in January, forward. Dates for both a groundbreaking ceremony and an opening have yet to be confirmed. All told, the venue is projected to cost around $1.4 billion.
“This project represents a $1.3 billion dollar economic impact to Prince George’s County and a $1.5 billion dollar impact to the state of Maryland,” County Executive Aisha Braveboy said in a news conference. “This project is projected to generate $63 million annually in just property tax and sales and amusement tax alone.” Earlier this month, the PGCC also approved a labor peace agreement that will allow Sphere workers to organize once it opens; however, this deal did not include the construction workers who will build the venue.
Since it opened in 2023, the Las Vegas Sphere has hosted large-scale residencies from U2 , No Doubt , Dead & Company , Metallica , and more. Backstreet Boys, the Eagles, Carín Leon, and John Mayer all have upcoming shows slated at the venue.
