A second US Sphere could come to Maryland | The VergeSkip to main contentThe homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.The VergeThe Verge logo.TechReviewsScienceEntertainmentAICESHamburger Navigation ButtonThe homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.Hamburger Navigation ButtonNavigation DrawerThe VergeThe Verge logo.Login / Sign UpcloseCloseSearchTechExpandAmazonAppleFacebookGoogleMicrosoftSamsungBusinessSee all techGadgetsExpandLaptopsPhonesTVsHeadphonesSpeakersWearablesSee all gadgetsReviewsExpandSmart Home ReviewsPhone ReviewsTablet ReviewsHeadphone ReviewsSee all reviewsAIExpandOpenAIAnthropicSee all AIVerge ShoppingExpandBuying GuidesDealsGift GuidesSee all shoppingPolicyExpandAntitrustPoliticsLawSecuritySee all policyScienceExpandSpaceEnergyEnvironmentHealthSee all scienceEntertainmentExpandTV ShowsMoviesAudioSee all entertainmentGamingExpandXboxPlayStationNintendoSee all gamingStreamingExpandDisneyHBONetflixYouTubeCreatorsSee all streamingTransportationExpandElectric CarsAutonomous CarsRide-sharingScootersSee all transportationFeaturesVerge VideoExpandTikTokYouTubeInstagramPodcastsExpandDecoderThe VergecastVersion HistoryNewslettersExpandThe Verge DailyInstallerVerge DealsNotepadOptimizerRegulatorThe StepbackArchivesStoreSubscribeFacebookThreadsInstagramYoutubeRSSThe VergeThe Verge logo.A second US Sphere could come to MarylandComments DrawerCommentsLoading commentsGetting the conversation ready...TechCloseTechPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All TechNewsCloseNewsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All NewsA second US Sphere could come to MarylandThe proposed venue would be one of the first smaller-scale Spheres with seating for 6,000 people instead of over 17,000.The proposed venue would be one of the first smaller-scale Spheres with seating for 6,000 people instead of over 17,000.by Andrew LiszewskiCloseAndrew LiszewskiSenior Reporter, NewsPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Andrew LiszewskiJan 19, 2026, 7:35 PM UTCLinkShareGiftImage: Sphere EntertainmentAndrew LiszewskiCloseAndrew LiszewskiPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Andrew Liszewski is a senior reporter who’s been covering and reviewing the latest gadgets and tech since 2006, but has loved all things electronic since he was a kid.Sphere Entertainment, the company behind the eye-catching interactive venue in Las Vegas, has announced its “intent to develop” another Sphere in Maryland that will be located 15 minutes south of Washington, DC. A timeline and exact location haven’t been finalized, but the Maryland Sphere would be the company’s second venue in the US, following plans to build a Sphere in Abu Dhabi announced in October 2024.The second US sphere would be built in an area known as National Harbor in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Located along the Potomac River, National Harbor currently features a convention center, multiple hotels, restaurants, and shops. While Abu Dhabi plans to build a sphere as large as the one in Las Vegas, the National Harbor venue would be one of the first mini-Sphere venues announced last March.Its capacity would be limited to 6,000 seats instead of over 17,000. But the smaller Sphere would still be hard to miss with an exterior LED exosphere for showcasing the “artistic and branded content” that helped make the original sphere a unique part of the Las Vegas skyline.The Maryland Sphere would feature a smaller design than the original in Las Vegas, seating around 6,000 people instead of over 17,000. Image: Sphere EntertainmentThe inside of the mini-Sphere will feature a high-resolution 16,000 by 16,000 pixel wrap-around screen, the company’s immersive sound technology, haptic seating, and “4D environmental effects.” For the AI-enhanced version of The Wizard of Oz currently playing in Las Vegas, audiences experience effects like wind, fog, smells, and apples falling from the ceiling.The mini-Sphere will potentially also be cheaper to build than the $2.3 billion original, but its construction is contingent on the “receipt of certain governmental incentives and approvals from Prince George’s County and the State of Maryland.” Sphere Entertainment says the project “would utilize a combination of public and private funding, including approximately $200 million in state, local, and private incentives,” but would potentially generate millions of dollars in revenue for the country and state while supporting over 4,700 jobs once it opens.Follow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.Andrew LiszewskiCloseAndrew LiszewskiSenior Reporter, NewsPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Andrew LiszewskiNewsCloseNewsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All NewsTechCloseTechPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All TechMost PopularMost PopularDisney deleted a Thread because people kept putting anti-fascist quotes from its movies in the repliesWhy Coinbase derailed the crypto industry’s political futureUnder Musk, the Grok disaster was inevitableThe LG C5 and Apple’s M4 Mac Mini are both steeply discounted this weekendMicrosoft’s first Windows 11 update of 2026 stopped some computers from shutting downThe Verge DailyA free daily digest of the news that matters most.Email (required)Sign UpBy submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice. 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Sphere Entertainment, the company behind the Las Vegas Sphere, has announced its intent to develop a second venue in Maryland, marking a significant expansion of its immersive entertainment model. The proposed site would be located in National Harbor, Prince George’s County, approximately 15 minutes south of Washington, D.C., and would serve as the company’s second U.S. venue following a previously announced project in Abu Dhabi. This Maryland Sphere would differ from its Las Vegas counterpart by being a smaller-scale “mini-Sphere,” with an estimated capacity of 6,000 seats compared to the original venue’s over 17,000. The announcement highlights a strategic shift toward more compact, adaptable venues that retain the core technological and experiential features of the original while addressing logistical and financial constraints.

The Maryland Sphere’s design would incorporate many elements that define the Las Vegas venue, including a visually striking exterior with an LED exosphere capable of displaying dynamic artistic and branded content. This feature, which contributed to the Las Vegas Sphere’s prominence as a landmark, would remain central to the Maryland project despite its reduced size. Inside, the venue would feature a high-resolution 16,000 by 16,000 pixel wrap-around screen, immersive sound technology, haptic seating, and “4D environmental effects.” These technologies were notably showcased in the AI-enhanced production of *The Wizard of Oz* currently running in Las Vegas, which simulates effects such as wind, fog, scents, and even falling apples. The Maryland venue would aim to replicate this level of interactivity while scaling down the physical footprint, making it more feasible for urban or suburban locations.

Financial details of the project remain conditional on securing governmental incentives and regulatory approvals from Prince George’s County and the State of Maryland. Sphere Entertainment has outlined a funding strategy that combines public and private resources, including approximately $200 million in state, local, and private incentives. While the company has not disclosed the total projected cost of construction, it is expected to be significantly lower than the $2.3 billion price tag of the Las Vegas Sphere. The Maryland venue’s developers anticipate that it would generate substantial economic benefits, potentially creating over 4,700 jobs and contributing millions in revenue to the region once operational. This economic impact underscores the company’s emphasis on leveraging public-private partnerships to support large-scale entertainment projects in densely populated areas.

The proposal for the Maryland Sphere aligns with broader trends in experiential entertainment, where venues seek to merge cutting-edge technology with immersive storytelling to attract audiences. By introducing a smaller-scale model, Sphere Entertainment aims to expand its reach beyond major metropolitan hubs like Las Vegas and Abu Dhabi, targeting regions with high foot traffic and cultural significance. National Harbor’s existing infrastructure—a mix of convention centers, hotels, restaurants, and retail spaces—positions it as an ideal location to integrate the Sphere into a vibrant commercial and tourist district. The venue’s proximity to Washington, D.C., also suggests potential for collaboration with local institutions, media outlets, and cultural organizations to curate content that resonates with regional audiences.

The project’s success hinges on overcoming regulatory and financial hurdles, including obtaining approvals from local authorities and securing the necessary incentives. These steps are critical given the complexities of developing large-scale entertainment infrastructure in a region with established tourism and business ecosystems. Sphere Entertainment’s approach reflects a calculated balance between innovation and pragmatism, as the company navigates the challenges of scaling its vision while maintaining the quality and uniqueness that define its brand. The Maryland Sphere’s development could set a precedent for future projects, demonstrating how adaptable designs and strategic partnerships can facilitate the growth of immersive entertainment platforms in diverse geographic contexts.

Andrew Liszewski, a senior reporter for *The Verge*, highlights the significance of this expansion as part of Sphere Entertainment’s evolving strategy. His coverage emphasizes the company’s ambition to redefine entertainment spaces by blending technology, artistry, and interactivity. The Maryland project also raises questions about the long-term viability of such ventures in regions with different economic and cultural dynamics compared to Las Vegas. While the original Sphere has become a symbol of technological innovation in entertainment, its smaller counterpart in Maryland may serve as a test case for how these concepts can be tailored to meet the needs of new markets.

The proposed Sphere in Maryland represents more than just a physical structure; it embodies a broader vision for the future of live entertainment. By prioritizing accessibility, scalability, and community engagement, Sphere Entertainment aims to create a model that can be replicated across the U.S. and beyond. The venue’s focus on immersive technology and environmental effects aligns with growing consumer demand for experiences that transcend traditional performance formats. As the company moves forward, its ability to adapt its core offerings to local contexts will be crucial in determining the success of this new endeavor.

The project’s timeline remains uncertain, as Sphere Entertainment has yet to finalize the exact location or construction schedule. However, the announcement signals a clear commitment to expanding its footprint and exploring new opportunities for innovation in entertainment. For now, the Maryland Sphere remains a proposed concept, but its potential to reshape the landscape of live events and digital experiences underscores the transformative power of technology in modern culture. As discussions continue, stakeholders will closely monitor how this initiative navigates the intersection of ambition, economics, and community impact.