Prince George’s County Gives Approval to Bring Sphere to DC Area

Prince George’s County in Maryland votes to pass a deal committing to financing $200 million toward bringing Sphere to National Harbor in the DC area.

On Tuesday, the Prince George’s County Council in Maryland passed a final vote on a deal that commits financing approximately $200 million toward bringing a Sphere venue to National Harbor. The final day of the council’s legislative session saw an 8-0 vote to secure the Sphere deal.

“Today, Prince George’s County enters the global stage and redefines itself as a destination for investment, entertainment, technology, and innovation,” said County Executive Aisha Braveboy during a conference held immediately following the vote’s passage.

The council authorized the issuance of up to $215 million in special obligation bonds to help finance the construction of the 6,000-seat venue and the complex that will house it. Sphere Entertainment will gradually repay the bonds to the county.

“This project represents a $1.3 billion economic impact to Prince George’s County and a $1.5 billion impact to the state of Maryland,” Braveboy said. “This project is projected to generate $63 million annually in just property tax and sales and amusement tax alone.”

The council also approved a labor peace agreement earlier this month, which will allow union groups to organize workers at the Sphere once it opens. However, the agreements between Sphere and labor groups are not as robust as initially hoped and will not include protections for construction workers. Regardless, the project will ensure an influx of jobs to the area, which are sorely needed following the closure of the region’s Six Flags amusement park and other economic challenges.

“It also sends a message to the rest of the investment world that Prince George’s County is a place where world-class investment and high-quality development can happen,” Braveboy added.

The terms of the deal will see the county build a $40 million parking garage and offer up $130 million in financing for the bonds, which will then be paid back through tax revenues generated by the Sphere after it’s built. Additionally, the state will provide over $13 million toward the development. The project will cost around $1.4 billion in total, and a groundbreaking ceremony will be scheduled soon with the hope that the venue will open in early 2030.