A Mini-Sphere Is Planned for National Harbor

If you hadn’t yet heard the news, a mind-blowing mini-Sphere is set to light up the Potomac waterfront at National Harbor, just minutes from DC. This new immersive entertainment icon, a smaller-scale sibling of the famed Las Vegas Sphere, was announced in partnership between Sphere Entertainment Co., the State of Maryland, Prince George’s County, and developers at Peterson Companies.

So what is a mini-Sphere? Think Las Vegas flair meets Maryland mojo: a spherical entertainment venue with about 6,000 seats that brings high-tech immersion closer to home. It’s designed to feature the same signature LED exosphere and cutting-edge tech — from ultra-high-resolution interior screens to immersive sound, 4D effects, and haptic seating that blur the line between stage show and sensory spectacle.

And this sphere isn’t just shiny, it’s strategic. Officials tout it as a ‘major economic engine,‘ potentially surpassing local staples in annual revenue and creating thousands of jobs during construction and operation. Plus, it could help bolster National Harbor’s standing as a year-round draw for concerts, immersive experiences, corporate events, and tourism.

Though still in planning and subject to approvals, Sphere developers aim to open this standout spectacle by 2030, bringing a little Vegas vibe to the DC area. The new venue is part of a planned “global network of Spheres” and would include a similar exterior LED display as the original in Las Vegas.

*Lead image created with AI and not intended as a realistic depiction