Key Takeaways:
- The Sphere Entertainment Co. is developing a groundbreaking Sphere venue at National Harbor, Maryland, marking the second U.S. location and the first to utilize a smaller-scale design model.
- The venue is expected to create 2,500 jobs during construction and 4,750 jobs once operational, with an annual economic impact of over $1 billion.
- The Sphere will feature cutting-edge technology, including a 16K x 16K interior display, Sphere Immersive Sound, and haptic seating.
- The development is expected to increase visitor volume, catering and event opportunities, and tourism and hospitality synergies in the National Harbor area.
- Food and beverage businesses should prepare for the influx of visitors and position themselves for partnerships and catering opportunities.
Introduction to the Future of Immersive Entertainment
The future of immersive entertainment is expanding beyond Las Vegas, and the food and beverage industry should pay close attention. Sphere Entertainment Co., the State of Maryland, Prince George’s County, and Peterson Companies have announced their intent to develop a groundbreaking Sphere venue at National Harbor, marking the second U.S. location and the first to utilize a smaller-scale design model. For hospitality professionals and food service executives in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan region, this development signals a massive influx of visitors, economic opportunity, and potential partnerships on the horizon.
A New Era of Immersive Entertainment Arrives on the East Coast
National Harbor, Maryland, is already a premier destination drawing more than 15 million visitors annually with its world-class dining, retail, gaming, and entertainment offerings. Now, with the proposed Sphere venue, the region is poised to cement its status as one of the country’s preeminent tourism and entertainment hubs. The announcement builds on the remarkable success of Sphere Las Vegas, which recently ranked #1 on both Billboard’s and Pollstar’s 2025 lists of top-grossing venues worldwide. For hospitality leaders, this track record suggests the National Harbor venue will become a significant driver of foot traffic and spending across the region.
What Makes the Smaller-Scale Sphere Design Special?
While the Las Vegas Sphere boasts a 17,600-seat capacity, the proposed National Harbor venue will seat approximately 6,000 guests. Don’t let the reduced size fool you: this smaller-scale model will pack all of Sphere’s signature advanced technologies into a more intimate setting. The National Harbor Sphere will feature Exosphere, the iconic exterior LED display that showcases artistic and branded content visible to audiences globally, as well as a 16K x 16K Interior Display, Sphere Immersive Sound, haptic seating, and 4D environmental effects. These technologies combine to create what Sphere Entertainment calls “an experiential medium”: a venue where artists, creators, and technologists collaborate to transport audiences to places both real and imagined.
Economic Impact: Jobs, Revenue, and Regional Growth
For food and beverage professionals, the numbers behind this project are particularly compelling. The Sphere development represents one of the largest economic development projects in Prince George’s County history, backed by approximately $200 million in state, local, and private incentives. The venue is expected to create 2,500 jobs during the construction phase and 4,750 jobs once operational. Once open, the economic impact of Sphere National Harbor is expected to exceed $1 billion annually, translating to significant opportunities for restaurants, catering companies, beverage distributors, and hospitality service providers throughout the DMV region.
Why This Matters for the Food and Beverage Industry
National Harbor already features an impressive array of dining and entertainment options. The addition of a Sphere venue will amplify demand for food and beverage services in several key ways: increased visitor volume, catering and event opportunities, and tourism and hospitality synergies. With millions of additional visitors expected annually, restaurants and bars in the National Harbor area will see substantial increases in foot traffic. The Sphere will also host brand events, corporate gatherings, and private functions in addition to public experiences, creating opportunities for food and beverage companies to position themselves as potential catering partners and vendors.
The Development Partner Behind National Harbor
Peterson Companies, one of the largest privately-owned real estate development companies in the Washington, D.C. region, will partner on the Sphere development. With more than 60 years of experience delivering prominent destinations including National Harbor itself, Peterson brings deep expertise in creating vibrant mixed-use environments. The company is excited to partner with Sphere Entertainment, the State of Maryland, and Prince George’s County to bring a Sphere to National Harbor, further reinforcing National Harbor as the national capital region’s premier destination for conventions, entertainment, retail, and dining, and hospitality.
What’s Next for Sphere’s Global Expansion?
The National Harbor announcement follows Sphere Entertainment’s vision for a global network of venues. Currently, the company operates Sphere Las Vegas and has announced plans for a venue in Abu Dhabi. The smaller-scale design model opens possibilities for Sphere experiences in markets that may not support a Las Vegas-sized venue but still offer substantial audiences hungry for immersive entertainment. For hospitality professionals watching food and beverage trends, the Sphere model represents a convergence of technology, entertainment, and experiential dining that is reshaping how consumers spend their leisure time and dollars.
Important Considerations Moving Forward
It’s worth noting that construction, development, financing, and operation of the Sphere at National Harbor remain contingent upon several factors, including negotiation and execution of definitive agreements and receipt of governmental incentives and approvals from Prince George’s County and the State of Maryland. Food and beverage businesses interested in capitalizing on this opportunity should monitor developments closely and begin strategic planning now. Building relationships with local tourism boards, hospitality associations, and potential partners will position savvy operators to capture their share of the anticipated economic windfall.
The Bottom Line
The proposed Sphere at National Harbor represents a transformative opportunity for the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area’s hospitality industry. With its advanced technology, significant economic impact, and proven success model from Las Vegas, this venue promises to reshape the entertainment landscape on the East Coast. For restaurant owners, beverage industry executives, and hospitality leaders, the message is clear: now is the time to prepare for a new era of visitor-driven growth in the National Harbor region. Whether through enhanced menu offerings, strategic partnerships, or expanded catering capabilities, the Sphere’s arrival will reward those who position themselves ahead of the curve.
