The Prince George’s County Council voted Tuesday to approve a multimillion-dollar financing package for a $1.4 billion Sphere entertainment venue at Maryland’s National Harbor, clearing a major hurdle for the development of a smaller version of the Las Vegas attraction.
The council voted unanimously to authorize up to $215 million in special obligation bonds to finance the project, which is expected to generate thousands of jobs and millions in annual tax revenue.
The proposed 6,000-seat venue would become the second Sphere in the United States, featuring immersive entertainment technology, high-resolution displays, and an exterior LED screen similar to its Las Vegas counterpart.
Included in the financing package approved Tuesday evening is $130 million in county bonds to support construction and a $40 million publicly financed parking garage. Maryland is also expected to contribute $13.5 million toward the development.
The broader $215 million bond authorization includes refinancing existing National Harbor debt and other financing costs. The bonds would be repaid using designated tax revenue generated at National Harbor rather than the county’s general fund.
Prince George’s County Executive Aisha Braveboy, a supporter of the project, said Tuesday the development would generate $1.3 billion in economic activity for the county and $1.5 billion statewide. She also estimated it would produce $63 million annually in property, sales, and amusement taxes.
Gov. Wes Moore (D-MD) previously predicted the project will support over 2,500 construction jobs, generate over 4,700 permanent jobs once the landmark is constructed, and deliver more than $1 billion in economic benefits per year.
The project’s approval comes as the county grapples with several economic setbacks, including the closure of Six Flags America and the Washington Commanders’ return to Washington, D.C.
Tuesday’s approval followed weeks of negotiations over labor protections and concerns about the financial implications for county taxpayers.
Labor unions had pushed for a project labor agreement that would generate union participation in construction. The council ultimately rejected proposals mandating union labor, instead approving amendments requiring a labor peace agreement and a community benefits agreement.
The National Harbor Sphere is expected to stand approximately 302 feet tall, overlooking the Potomac River and near MGM National Harbor.
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Construction is expected to begin in 2027 with an anticipated opening in 2030.
The venue would be considerably smaller than the Las Vegas Sphere, which opened in 2023 and seats approximately 17,600 people.