Sphere Coming to National Harbor: $1B Plan Sparks Debate

Prince George's County officials unveiled plans for a Sphere venue at National Harbor, Maryland. The venue would sit next to the MGM National Harbor casino. Backed by Sphere Entertainment, Peterson Companies, the state of Maryland, and the county, the project would cost more than $1 billion.

County Executive Aisha Braveboy called it one of the largest economic development projects in county history. Gov. Wes Moore has used similar language to describe the project. With 6,000 seats, the venue would be the second Sphere in the United States, after Las Vegas. Officials project more than $1 billion in annual economic impact and thousands of jobs.

Some nearby residents, however, question whether the area's roads and public transit can handle the crowds.

Sphere's Economic Promise: Jobs, Revenue, and Public Funding

County officials say the Sphere could reshape the local economy. Once open, the venue is projected to generate more than $1 billion in economic activity each year. Construction would support about 2,500 jobs, and the finished venue would employ roughly 4,750 people permanently.

Officials also see the project as a way to replace revenue lost when Six Flags America closed and from the Washington Commanders' planned move out of Northwest Stadium in Landover. According to Braveboy, the venue would "more than triple the taxes from Northwest Stadium and Six Flags combined."

The funding package includes roughly $200 million in state, local, and private incentives. Separately, the County Council is weighing whether to issue up to $215 million in bonds to prepare the site. Council Chair Krystal Oriadha said officials are also considering a project labor agreement, which would set wages and working conditions for construction crews.

Residents Split Between Traffic Worries and Excitement

Not every resident shares officials' enthusiasm. Maryland resident Evelyn Kent pointed to the area's transportation options. "We don't have the infrastructure for that," Kent said. "There's no public transportation over there." Traffic around National Harbor has grown heavier since MGM National Harbor opened in 2016.

So far, County officials have not released a plan to manage the extra congestion the Sphere could bring.

The venue has its fans, too. One person who has visited the Las Vegas Sphere called the planned National Harbor venue "beautiful." At-Large Councilmember Jolene Ivey said she is looking forward to concerts there. Officials acknowledge the infrastructure concerns and say they will address them before construction begins.

FAA Review and Other Hurdles Before a Possible 2030 Opening

The project still needs several approvals before construction can start. Because National Harbor sits about five miles from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, federal officials must review the structure's height. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed it will evaluate whether the proposed structure poses a hazard to aircraft.

On the local side, the Prince George's County Council must approve the bond financing. State and county officials must also sign final agreements with Sphere Entertainment. If the project wins approval, construction is expected to take three to four years. The venue could open as early as 2030.