Sphere to open new venue in Washington DC
Sphere Entertainment have confirmed plans to open a new venue in the Washington DC area.
The state-of-the-art venue is set to open in National Harbour in Maryland, and will be considerably smaller than its big brother in Las Vegas, with only a planned capacity of 6,000. In comparison, the Vegas venue can fit more than 18,000.
From a design perspective, the Sphere in Maryland will have the same look as the Las Vegas version, despite being scaled down, and also promises to have the world’s highest-resolution LED screen.
James Dolan, executive chairman and CEO of Sphere Entertainment, said in a statement about the prospective venue, “Our focus has always been on creating a global network of Spheres across forward-looking cities.”
Dolan continued, “Sphere is a new experiential medium. With a commitment to bringing innovative opportunities to residents and visitors, Governor Moore, County Executive Braveboy, the State of Maryland, and Prince George’s County recognize the potential for a Sphere at National Harbor to elevate and advance immersive experiences across the area.”
Governor Wes Moore has given the project his full support, which he believes will be a perfect fit for Maryland, stating, “Maryland has a long history of providing world-class entertainment and we could not be more excited to work with Sphere Entertainment to bring this cutting-edge project to life.”
Moore also claimed that the Sphere “will be one of the largest economic development projects” in the history of Prince George’s County, a place that he said is “the best place in the country to bring dreams to life”.
The governor continued, “We’re excited for what this means for our people, and how it will showcase the best of what Maryland has to offer to everyone who visits.”
Once it has been built, the Sphere in Maryland will be the second venue from Sphere Entertainment in the United States. In 2024, they announced plans for a location in Abu Dhabi, which is yet to receive an official opening date.
In 2024, plans were rejected over pollution fears and concerns of locals over a Sphere in London, which they hoped to build in Stratford.
Never Miss A Beat
The Far Out Music Newsletter
All the latest music news from the independent voice of culture.
Straight to your inbox.