SUMMARY
- A joint effort involving Fairfax-based Peterson Cos. could bring a 6,000-seat mini-Sphere to National Harbor in Maryland.
- The project could cost more than $1 billion and rely on about $200 million in public and private incentives.
- It could generate more than $1 billion in annual economic impact.
Virginians may one day travel to National Harbor in Maryland to marvel at a smaller version of the Sphere that now stands in Las Vegas.
A joint effort among Fairfax County-based Peterson Cos., Nevada-based Sphere Entertainment, the state of Maryland and Prince George’s County, the project would rely on about $200 million in public and private incentives, according to a Monday news release.
The cost of the project would exceed $1 billion, The Washington Post has reported.
Since opening in Las Vegas in 2023, the original Sphere has hosted storied residencies for U2 and Dead & Company. At 366 feet tall and 516 feet wide, it is the world’s largest spherical structure and has a capacity of 20,000, but the mini-Sphere would seat about 6,000.
Travel from Alexandria to National Harbor via water taxi takes about 25 minutes.
“Our focus has always been on creating a global network of Spheres across forward-looking cities,” Sphere Entertainment Executive Chairman and CEO James L. Dolan said in the news release.
The smaller-scale Sphere proposed for National Harbor would have a capacity of about 6,000 seats. Like the one in Las Vegas, it would feature an Exosphere, an exterior LED display that showcases artistic images — including visuals that take advantage of the building’s shape, such as a globe or an eyeball — and branded content. Inside, the venue would feature a 16K-by-16K interior display plane, immersive sound, haptic seating (seats that move or vibrate) and 4D environmental effects.
Peterson was the chief developer of National Harbor, home to 160 stores, 40 restaurants, a Ferris wheel and the MGM National Harbor, a resort and casino. The 61-year-old company also developed Fairfax Corner, Fair Lakes, Burke Centre and Tysons McLean Office Park, and is one of the Washington, D.C., region’s most successful real estate developers.
Building a Sphere in Maryland would support about 2,500 jobs during construction and 4,750 jobs once operational, according to the news release. The economic impact of the Sphere National Harbor is expected to be more than $1 billion annually.
“This innovative project will further reinforce National Harbor as the national capital region’s premier destination for conventions, entertainment, retail and dining, and hospitality; deliver more economic activity and jobs; and elevate National Harbor, and Maryland, as one of the country’s preeminent tourism and entertainment hubs,” Peterson Cos. CEO Jon Peterson said in a statement.
A request for comment was not immediately returned by Sphere Entertainment.
On Nov. 4, 2025, Sphere Entertainment released third-quarter 2025 results, which were driven by an immersive screening of “The Wizard of Oz” and a Backstreet Boys residency. The company reported revenues of $262.5 million, a 15% increase from the same quarter a year earlier, and an operating loss of $129.7 million.
In 2024, Sphere Entertainment announced plans to build a Sphere in Abu Dhabi, which is supposed to echo the scale of the Sphere in Las Vegas.
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