Sphere Entertainment has unveiled plans to develop a 6,000-seat immersive “mini-Sphere” entertainment venue at National Harbor in Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C., marking a major expansion of its groundbreaking spherical entertainment concept pioneered in Las Vegas.

The proposed venue, announced jointly with Maryland state officials and Prince George’s County leaders, would feature the signature cutting-edge technologies of the original Sphere, including expansive LED screens, immersive sound, haptic seating and 4D environmental effects, all tailored to a smaller footprint for broader market appeal.

The National Harbor location adjacent to the MGM National Harbor casino and resort district is designed to serve as a year-round cultural and entertainment hub for concerts, sporting events, corporate functions and original immersive productions.

Costing more than $1 billion to construct, the project is expected to generate significant economic activity in the region.

Officials estimate the venue will support approximately 2,500 construction jobs and some 4,700 long-term roles once operational, while generating upwards of $1 billion annually through tourism, events and related commercial activity.

The announcement has attracted praise from Maryland’s governor and county executives, who see the Sphere as a catalytic investment in the region’s diversification and cultural landscape after recent setbacks including federal job losses and major local attraction closures.

The “mini-Sphere” represents the first of its kind on a global scale, distinguished from the original Las Vegas venue by its more accessible size yet retaining the immersive multimedia and experiential elements that have defined the Sphere brand.

Planning and development agreements include roughly $200 million in combined public and private incentives, including tax breaks and infrastructure support, though several provisions require voter approval.

Sphere Entertainment holds a letter of intent with Peterson Companies, the National Harbor developer, and anticipates negotiating key land and build-out terms as the project moves forward.

Supporters of the initiative emphasise the venue’s potential to enhance the Washington region’s cultural offerings and attract national and international visitors, further integrating National Harbor into the broader economic and experiential map of the Mid-Atlantic.

With the success of the Las Vegas Sphere and forthcoming expansion to locations including Abu Dhabi, the mini-Sphere at National Harbor is viewed as a strategic extension of a globally recognised entertainment ecosystem that blends technology and live performance in immersive formats.