Following the global success of Sphere Las Vegas, Sphere Entertainment is planning to bring a smaller MSG Sphere to the US East Coast. The new venue, named Sphere National Harbor, will become the second MSG Sphere in the United States. This smaller MSG Sphere format combines compact design with the immersive LED displays and advanced audiovisual technologies that made the original Sphere globally famous. It aims to deliver a premium entertainment experience in a more flexible, scalable format near Washington, DC.
Although smaller in size, Sphere National Harbor will retain the core technologies that define the Sphere experience. The venue is planned to accommodate approximately 6,000 seats, about one-third of the capacity of Sphere Las Vegas.
Despite the reduced scale, it will feature the iconic Exosphere exterior LED display. The interior will include a high-resolution 16K × 16K display plane.
Sphere Immersive Sound, haptic seating systems, and 4D environmental effects will also be integrated. These technologies will work together to create a fully synchronized audiovisual and sensory environment. Visitors can enjoy concerts, immersive shows, and branded events with the same intensity as at the original Sphere.
The East Coast venue represents the company’s first smaller Sphere in the United States. It is also the second MSG Sphere in the country. This project reflects Sphere Entertainment’s long-term strategy to replicate the Sphere concept across multiple forward-looking cities globally.
Sphere Las Vegas has already established itself as a top-grossing live entertainment venue worldwide. Building on this success, Sphere National Harbor is designed to serve as a flexible and scalable model for future compact Sphere venues. It provides premium immersive experiences in cities that may not accommodate a full-scale Sphere.
Sphere National Harbor is being developed through a collaboration between Sphere Entertainment, the State of Maryland, Prince George’s County, and Peterson Companies. The project will be supported by a combination of private investment and public incentives.
Construction is projected to create approximately 2,500 jobs. Ongoing operations could support more than 4,700 permanent positions. The venue’s long-term economic impact is expected to exceed $1 billion annually. These benefits are expected to support tourism, hospitality, and the local entertainment ecosystem.
National Harbor is a major mixed-use destination along the Potomac River. It features hotels, convention facilities, retail outlets, and entertainment attractions. The area welcomes over 15 million visitors annually, making it one of the region’s busiest tourism hubs.
Adding a Sphere venue will enhance National Harbor’s reputation as a center for digital entertainment and immersive experiences. Planned offerings include original Sphere Experiences, live performances, interactive programs, and large-scale brand activations.
From a technical perspective, the smaller MSG Sphere highlights the growing importance of high-resolution LED display systems in immersive entertainment. Projects like this require advanced solutions for brightness control, color consistency, thermal management, and long-term reliability.
As compact Sphere venues gain traction, demand for high-performance LED components and integrated display systems is expected to rise. Manufacturers, system integrators, and solution providers can look to Sphere National Harbor as a reference for future premium display applications.
At present, construction remains contingent on final development agreements. Approval of financial incentives by state and local authorities is also required. Once these conditions are met, the project is expected to move into the implementation phase.
No official opening date has been announced. However, the smaller MSG Sphere is already viewed as one of the most anticipated immersive venues on the East Coast.
The smaller MSG Sphere represents a key evolution of the Sphere concept. By combining reduced scale with flagship display technologies, the project shows how immersive venues can be adapted to different urban environments and market needs.
As development plans progress, Sphere National Harbor is poised to become a benchmark for compact immersive venues. It also serves as a reference point for the next generation of large-format LED display applications.
