Key Takeaways:
- A new Sphere venue will be developed in the Washington, D.C. area, specifically at National Harbor in Maryland.
- The venue will have 6,000 seats, smaller than the one in Las Vegas, but will still provide an immersive experience.
- The project will receive approximately $200 million in state, local, and private incentives.
- The project is expected to support around 2,500 jobs during construction and 4,750 jobs once operational.
- The economic impact is projected to exceed $1 billion annually once the venue opens.
Introduction to the Sphere Venue
The Sphere Entertainment Co. has announced its plans to develop a new Sphere venue on the East Coast, specifically in the Washington, D.C. area. This new venue will be located at National Harbor in Maryland, a popular waterfront destination that attracts over 15 million visitors annually. The area offers a range of entertainment, dining, retail, gaming, and convention facilities, making it an ideal location for the new Sphere. With its proximity to Washington, D.C., just 15 minutes away, the venue is expected to draw in a large and diverse crowd.
The Venue’s Features and Design
The proposed venue will have 6,000 seats, which is smaller than the Las Vegas Sphere, which has over 17,000 seats. However, despite its smaller size, the company promises that the new Sphere will provide the same immersive experience and jaw-dropping exterior that the Las Vegas Sphere is known for. The venue’s design and features will be similar to its Las Vegas counterpart, with a focus on providing an exceptional experience for visitors. The company’s goal is to create a global network of Spheres across forward-looking cities, and the new venue in Maryland is a significant step towards achieving this goal.
Economic Impact and Job Creation
The project is expected to have a significant economic impact on the area, with officials projecting that it will exceed $1 billion annually once the venue opens. The project will also support approximately 2,500 jobs during construction and 4,750 jobs once operational. This will make it one of the largest economic development projects in Prince George’s County history, according to Gov. Wes Moore. The state, local, and private incentives of approximately $200 million will also play a crucial role in supporting the project’s development.
Global Expansion and Future Plans
The Sphere Entertainment Co. has plans for global expansion, with a venue already planned in Abu Dhabi. The company’s focus on creating a global network of Spheres across forward-looking cities is a key part of its strategy. The Las Vegas Sphere has already been ranked No. 1 on Billboard’s list of top-grossing venues worldwide, demonstrating the success of the concept. With the new venue in Maryland and plans for further expansion, the company is well on its way to achieving its goal of creating a global network of Spheres.
Conclusion and Next Steps
The new Sphere venue in Maryland is an exciting development for the Washington, D.C. area, and it is expected to provide a unique and immersive experience for visitors. With its smaller size and similar design to the Las Vegas Sphere, the venue is expected to be a popular destination for entertainment and events. While the exact opening date is not yet known, the project is expected to have a significant economic impact and create thousands of jobs. As the company continues to expand globally, it will be interesting to see how the Sphere concept evolves and grows in the future.
