Prince George's County Council approves $215M bond plan for National Harbor Sphere
The Prince George's County Council voted 8-0 on October 27, 2026, to authorize up to $215 million in special obligation bonds for the construction of a 6,000-seat Sphere entertainment venue at National Harbor. The project, developed by Sphere Entertainment Co., is expected to open in early 2030 and will feature a massive interior display and immersive technology. County Executive Aisha Braveboy supports the deal, arguing it will generate significantly higher tax revenue than the defunct Six Flags park and the soon-to-be-abandoned Northwest Stadium. While the county will fund a $40 million parking garage and $130 million in bond financing, the state contributed over $13 million. Construction is set to begin within months, though union groups have criticized the labor peace agreement for excluding protections for construction workers.