At a Glance
- Sphere Entertainment plans a scaled-down venue at National Harbor.
- The project will receive roughly $200 million in incentives.
- The new Sphere will seat about 6,000 people, compared to 18,600 in Las Vegas.
Why it matters: The expansion signals a shift toward more intimate, tech-rich live-event spaces in the U.S.
Sphere Entertainment announced on Sunday that it intends to open a smaller version of its flagship venue in the Washington, D.C., metro area. The announcement came alongside the state of Maryland, Prince George’s County, and real-estate developer Peterson Companies, all of whom are backing the project with a mix of public and private money.
The company’s CEO, James L. Dolan, said in a press release that “Our focus has always been on creating a global network of Spheres across forward-looking cities.” He added that the new venue would be a “new experiential medium,” and that a third Sphere is planned for Abu Dhabi.
Funding and Scale
The National Harbor project will be supported by roughly $200 million in state, local, and private incentives. The venue will be the first-ever smaller-scale Sphere, with a capacity of around 6,000 seats. By contrast, the Las Vegas Sphere, which opened in 2023, can hold 18,600 people and cost an estimated $2.3 billion to build.
Partnership and Incentives
The project is a joint effort between Sphere Entertainment, the state of Maryland, Prince George’s County, and Peterson Companies. Together they have secured a mix of public and private funds totaling roughly $200 million, a figure that covers construction, technology upgrades, and community outreach.
Community Impact
Local officials say the venue will create dozens of construction jobs and generate increased tourism revenue. The developers plan to integrate public spaces and green infrastructure to enhance the National Harbor waterfront. The venue will also provide ongoing employment for staff and event crews.
Event Strategy
Sphere Entertainment intends to use the smaller venue to host a variety of shows, from pop concerts to immersive theater. The company has already lined up a schedule that includes U2, Phish, and the Backstreet Boys, with plans to add artists like No Doubt and Carín León in the coming months. The schedule will also feature interactive art installations.
Technology and Experience
Both the Las Vegas and the forthcoming National Harbor venues will feature the same advanced technology. The original Sphere is wrapped in a giant LED exosphere that displays 366-foot animations around the clock.
Inside, the venue offers a 360-degree audio-visual experience that has attracted major acts such as U2, Phish, and the Backstreet Boys. In 2024, No Doubt and Mexican artist Carín León joined the lineup.
Immersive film
The venue has also hosted immersive film experiences, including Darren Aronofsky’s “Postcard from Earth” and a reimagining of the classic “The Wizard of Oz.” The Oz show debuted last August, selling more than 2 million tickets and generating over $260 million in ticket sales, according to the company. The film continues to run daily until the end of the year, with tickets available through the company’s website.
Financial Performance
Sphere’s first year of operations was challenging, with an operating loss exceeding $500 million. Plans for a London venue also fell through.
However, the latest quarterly earnings report shows a turnaround. During the first nine months of 2025, the Sphere division generated $507 million in revenue while narrowing its operating loss to $261 million.
Financial Outlook
First-year operating loss exceeded $500 million. Revenue in first nine months of 2025 reached $507 million. Operating loss narrowed to $261 million in the same period. Capital needs remain high for construction and technology upgrades.
Future Outlook
The new National Harbor Sphere represents a strategic move to diversify the company’s portfolio and tap into a new market. By offering a more intimate setting, Sphere Entertainment can host a broader range of events, from concerts to immersive experiences, while leveraging its proprietary technology. The company also plans to use the venue to host corporate events and private celebrations.
Global Expansion
Beyond the U.S., Sphere Entertainment has announced a planned venue in Abu Dhabi. The company aims to replicate the Las Vegas model in other forward-looking cities, leveraging its proprietary technology and experiential design.
Technology Highlights
- LED exosphere displays 366-foot animations around the clock.
- 360-degree audio-visual system delivers immersive sound and light.
- Advanced projection mapping creates dynamic visuals inside the dome.
- Real-time data feeds allow interactive audience experiences.
Economic Impact
- Creates dozens of construction jobs during the build phase.
- Generates increased tourism revenue for National Harbor.
- Integrates public spaces and green infrastructure along the waterfront.
- Provides ongoing employment for venue staff and event crews.
Artist Lineup
- U2, Phish, Backstreet Boys already booked.
- No Doubt and Carín León scheduled for 2024.
- Future dates to include emerging acts and regional performers.
- Concerts will be followed by immersive film screenings.
Financial Analysis
- First-year operating loss exceeded $500 million.
- Revenue in first nine months of 2025 reached $507 million.
- Operating loss narrowed to $261 million in the same period.
- Capital needs remain high for construction and technology upgrades.
Strategic Vision
- Replicate Las Vegas model in other forward-looking cities.
- Leverage proprietary technology across global venues.
- Expand to Abu Dhabi and potentially other U.S. markets.
- Position Sphere as a premium experiential destination worldwide.
Key Takeaways
- The National Harbor Sphere will seat about 6,000 and be backed by $200 million in incentives.
- The Las Vegas venue, opened in 2023, seats 18,600 and cost $2.3 billion.
- Revenue grew to $507 million in 2025, with the operating loss reduced to $261 million.
- The company plans additional Spheres in Abu Dhabi and potentially other U.S. markets.
