Prince George’s County will be home to the nation’s second Sphere, after the plan for the $1.4 billion entertainment venue got final approval from the county council on Tuesday.
The Sphere National Harbor, a smaller version of the famed Las Vegas venue, will bring a 6,000-seat theater equipped with high-resolution displays and an exterior LED screen to the banks of the Potomac River. Prince George’s County Council unanimously approved the project Tuesday, agreeing to issue $215 million in bonds to the developers. Sphere Entertainment Company will gradually repay that sum to the county.
Construction is expected to begin next year, with a planned opening in 2030, according to Sphere Entertainment. Internal estimates show the venue will create 1,750 on-site construction jobs and support an additional 2,400 through suppliers. The venue will have 328 full-time jobs and 925 part-time positions once it opens, according to the company.
The county council earlier this month shot down a proposal to require 40% of construction labor to come from unionized workers. It did pass an agreement that will allow union groups to organize Sphere workers once the venue opens.
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Early estimates project 2 million annual visitors to the Sphere. County Executive Aisha Braveboy previously said the Sphere would bring $67 million in annual tax revenue — three times more than the combined tax revenue from Six Flags amusement park in Bowie, which closed last year, and Northwest Stadium, which the Commanders are leaving to move back to D.C.
If all timelines stay on track, the National Harbor venue will be the third Sphere in the world. Sphere Entertainment Co. is currently working on a 20,000-seat venue in Abu Dhabi, expected to be completed in 2029.
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