The Prince George’s County Planning Board has granted unanimous approval for the proposed National Harbor Sphere, clearing a key local entitlement hurdle for the large-scale entertainment project. The venue is planned as a $1.4 billion investment and marks a major step forward following a recent public hearing where the plans were reviewed and endorsed by the board.
According to information shared during the approval process, the proposed Sphere will be located adjacent to the existing MGM National Harbor complex, positioning it within an established entertainment cluster. Developers outlined updated visuals and design details for the project, illustrating how the new venue would relate to its surroundings and nearby uses.
One of the updated project images depicts a substantial orb-shaped structure totaling more than 447,000 square feet. The building is planned to rise slightly above 300 feet in height when measured from the exterior, while the interior height will reach approximately 214 feet. As currently envisioned, the structure will stand somewhat taller than the hotel towers at MGM National Harbor, underscoring its role as a highly visible addition to the local skyline.
Plans also incorporate a 2,100-space parking garage that would be built in the vicinity of the venue. This dedicated parking component is intended to support event traffic associated with the Sphere, complementing existing parking resources in the broader National Harbor area. While detailed phasing and operational plans were not disclosed, the inclusion of structured parking reflects the scale of anticipated visitation to the immersive entertainment facility.
The planning board’s action positions the development team to advance pre-construction activities on the 14-acre site by the end of this year. With entitlements in place, the project can move from the entitlement phase toward detailed design, permitting, and site preparation, subject to the developers’ internal timelines and any remaining approvals that may be required.
New York-based Sphere Entertainment Co. is identified as the company seeking to deliver the project. The firm is targeting a groundbreaking in late 2027, with completion and delivery of the venue projected for 2030. These milestones frame a multi-year development schedule consistent with a complex, large-format entertainment asset.
The National Harbor Sphere is planned as a 6,000-seat, orb-shaped immersive entertainment venue. It is proposed to be the second Sphere location in the United States and the first smaller-scale model of the original Sphere in Las Vegas. This positions the National Harbor project as a follow-on deployment of the company’s immersive venue concept, adapted to a different market and scale while retaining the signature orb design.
With planning board approval secured, the project now advances as a significant future addition to the hospitality and entertainment offerings at National Harbor. The combination of a high-capacity immersive venue, substantial parking infrastructure, and proximity to an existing gaming and hospitality anchor underscores the project’s potential to reshape the area’s live entertainment landscape once delivered.
