County approves Sphere National Harbor financing
Prince George’s County Council has authorized up to $215 million in special obligation bonds to support the proposed Sphere National Harbor entertainment venue in Maryland. The council approved the financing package October 27 in an 8–0 vote.
The proposed $1.4 billion development includes a 6,000-seat immersive venue and surrounding facilities. Sphere Entertainment would repay the bonds over time, with the financing arrangement drawing on tax revenues generated by the development once it is operating.
County Executive Aisha Braveboy welcomed the decision after the vote. “Today, Prince George’s County enters the global stage and redefines itself as a destination for investment, entertainment, technology and innovation,” Braveboy said.
The approval followed negotiations over labor protections and community benefits. Earlier amendments to the financing legislation required a Community Benefits Agreement and a labor peace agreement, with the council identifying local hiring, workforce development, and participation by local businesses among its priorities.
The financing package includes infrastructure and parking support
The county’s contribution includes a $40 million county-owned parking garage and $130 million in financing to be repaid through revenues associated with the facility. WTOP’s reporting, republished by Maryland Matters, also identifies a state contribution exceeding $13 million.
Officials have cited an Ernst & Young study projecting $63 million in annual local tax revenue from the project. Those figures are forecasts supporting the financing case, rather than revenue already generated by an operating venue.
The planned development is near MGM National Harbor, connecting the entertainment proposal geographically with an existing casino resort. Sphere National Harbor itself is an entertainment project, and the financing approval does not represent authorization for a new casino.
A groundbreaking date remains to be scheduled, according to the county spokesperson cited in WTOP’s report. Earlier plans contemplated an opening in early 2030, but the financing decision does not establish a confirmed completion date
