The U.S. is getting a second Sphere venue after the success of the initial location in Las Vegas.
Sphere Entertainment Co., the State of Maryland, Prince George’s County, and Peterson Companies this week announced plans for a second Sphere that will utilize a smaller-scale design model. The National Harbor, near the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, is the planned site for the project.
The smaller Sphere would have a capacity of 6,000 seats with the same exterior LED display that showcases both artistic and branded content. The venue would also feature a 16K x 16K interior display plane – which the developers are calling the world’s highest-resolution LED screen. All of Sphere’s advanced technologies would be incorporated, including Sphere Immersive Sound, as well as haptic seating and 4D environmental effects.
This project would use a combination of public and private funding, including approximately $200 million in state, local, and private incentives. Sphere said the venue would support approximately 2,500 jobs during the construction phase, and 4,750 jobs once operational. It's estimating the economic impact of Sphere National Harbor to be more than $1 billion annually.
