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  • How much money and jobs would a Sphere at National Harbor generate? New figures are out – WTOP News

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    There are new estimates of how much a planned Sphere entertainment venue in Prince George’s County, Maryland, would benefit the D.C. region.

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    How are DC-area locals reacting to National Harbor Sphere news?

    There are new estimates of how much a planned Sphere entertainment venue in Prince George’s County, Maryland, would benefit the D.C. region.

    The project, announced last month, would bring a smaller version of the Las Vegas Sphere to National Harbor.

    Results of a comprehensive study conducted by Ernst & Young released Wednesday found the project would have an economic impact of $1.3 billion a year.

    It also determined the project would create about 3,350 jobs during the construction phase, and about 7,100 jobs once it opens. The permanent jobs would be at the venue itself and at businesses in the nearby area.

    Those are increases from earlier estimates of $1 billion a year in economic impact, 2,500 construction jobs and 4,750 permanent jobs.

    The study also estimated that more than 2 million people a year would attend events at the Sphere at National Harbor.

    “We continue to see just how transformational this is going to be, not just for Prince George’s County and not just for the state of Maryland, but truthfully for the entire region,” Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said Wednesday.

    It was initially announced that the project would involve about $200 million in incentives from the county and state, and that amount has not changed, Prince George’s County Executive Aisha Braveboy said Wednesday.

    Braveboy said tax revenues alone from the new project would more than triple what the county has been getting from the Six Flags amusement park in Bowie that closed late last year, and Northwest Stadium in Landover where the Washington Commanders play. The Commanders expect to start playing in a new stadium in D.C. in 2030.

    “I feel really good about getting this project up, hopefully before the Commanders leave. That would be our goal,” Braveboy said.

    Prince George’s County is not Las Vegas, she said, but it is “the destination of the East Coast.”

    She added that the project will solidify her county as the area’s “entertainment (and) tech capital.”

    “We already have quantum computing. We have a thriving aerospace and cybersecurity industry here … and now, we’ll be the center for entertainment tech in the region,” Braveboy said.

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    © 2026 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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    Michelle Basch

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  • Youth curfew in effect Fridays, Saturdays at National Harbor – WTOP News

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    A youth curfew is now in effect Fridays and Saturdays at the National Harbor in Prince George’s County, Maryland.

    A youth curfew begins Friday at the National Harbor in Prince George’s County, Maryland.

    From 5 p.m. to 5 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays, no unaccompanied minor may be or remain at the National Harbor, Prince George’s County police said.

    There will be exceptions for the following.

    • Minors with a parent or a guardian.
    • Minors accompanied by someone over 21 who is authorized by a parent or guardian.
    • If minors are on the sidewalk in front of where they or their neighbors live (if the neighbor did not complain to the police)
    • If they are coming home, by direct route from a school activity, or an activity of a religious or other association, or place of employment.

    Parents, guardians or businesses are subject to a fine up to $250 plus costs.

    A similar curfew was implemented around the same time last year.

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    © 2026 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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    WTOP Staff

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  • ‘Mini-Sphere’ planned for National Harbor in Maryland – WTOP News

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    Maryland Gov. Wes Moore’s office said Sunday that a “mini-Sphere” — a little brother to the famous Sphere in Las Vegas — is planned for National Harbor.

    Maryland Gov. Wes Moore’s office said Sunday that a “mini-Sphere” — a little brother to the famous Sphere in Las Vegas — is planned for National Harbor in Oxon Hill.

    Sphere Entertainment Co. is working with Maryland, Prince George’s County and Peterson Companies. This venue would be the second in the U.S., after the Las Vegas venue which opened in 2023.

    The proposed venue would be the first smaller-scale Sphere with capacity of 6,000 seats, and feature an Exosphere — the exterior LED display of Sphere that showcases both artistic and branded content, according to a release.

    The venue would also include the world’s highest-resolution LED screen, as well as all of Sphere Entertainment’s other technologies such as immersive sound and 4D effects.

    “Our focus has always been on creating a global network of Spheres across forward-looking cities,” James L. Dolan, executive chairman and chief executive officer of Sphere Entertainment said.

    “Sphere is a new experiential medium. With a commitment to bringing innovative opportunities to residents and visitors, Gov. Moore, County Executive Braveboy, the State of Maryland, and Prince George’s County recognize the potential for a Sphere at National Harbor to elevate and advance immersive experiences across the area.”

    This project would use a combination of public and private funding in the order of $200 million. The release said Sphere would also support nearly 2,500 jobs during the construction phase, and 4,750 jobs once the venue opens, as well as generate millions in additional revenue for the county and state.

    The economic impact of Sphere National Harbor is expected to be greater than $1 billion annually.

    “Maryland has a long history of providing world-class entertainment and we could not be more excited to work with Sphere Entertainment to bring this cutting-edge project to life,” Gov. Wes Moore said in a release.

    “This will be one of the largest economic development projects in Prince George’s County history — proving once again our state is the best place in the country to bring dreams to life. We’re excited for what this means for our people, and how it will showcase the best of what Maryland has to offer to everyone who visits.”

    The proposed venue is still being negotiated on and awaiting approvals from Sphere, Prince George’s County and the State of Maryland.

    A completion date has not yet been announced.

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    Zsana Hoskins

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  • Behind the scenes of National Harbor’s holiday tree lighting and fireworks kickoff – WTOP News

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    In today’s special “Working Capital” edition of “Matt About Town,” we got to experience what it’s like to be responsible for setting up one of the D.C. area’s coolest holiday tree displays, by posing as interim “holiday celebration planners” for the day in National Harbor.

    In the D.C. region, conversations often start with, “What do you do?” WTOP’s “Working Capital” series profiles the people whose jobs make the D.C. region run.

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    Behind the scenes: National Harbor tree lighting and holiday fireworks kickoff

    Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be responsible for setting up one of the D.C. area’s coolest holiday tree displays? Or what it’s like to throw the switch that sets off a fireworks show in the nation’s capital?

    In today’s special “Working Capital” edition of “Matt About Town,” we got to experience both, posing as interim “holiday celebration planners” for the day in National Harbor!

    Every Saturday from now through Dec. 27, National Harbor in Maryland will be having their “Holidays at National Harbor” events, featuring a unique 3-minute LED Christmas tree light show every half hour, and a fireworks show at 5:30 p.m.

    As we found out, a ton of work takes place behind the scenes to make it all happen, from rigging nearly 1,000 pyrotechnic devices to assembling and programming more than 90,000 lights that operate in sync!

    Find out more about National Harbor’s holiday season events on their website.

    Hear “Matt About Town” first every Tuesday and Thursday on 103.5 FM!

    If you have a story idea you’d like Matt to cover, email him, or chat with him on Instagram and TikTok.

    Check out all “Matt About Town” episodes here!

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    © 2025 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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    Matt Kaufax

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  • Youth curfew at National Harbor now in effect – WTOP News

    Youth curfew at National Harbor now in effect – WTOP News

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    A youth curfew is now in effect at National Harbor in Prince George’s County, Maryland, after a surge in incidents involving young people.

    A youth curfew is now in effect at National Harbor in Prince George’s County, Maryland.

    Unaccompanied kids and teens who are 16 and younger aren’t allowed there on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights from 5 p.m. to 6 a.m. The first time a kid is caught unsupervised will come with a warning. After that, a written notice will be mailed to their parents.

    The curfew comes after rowdy scenes last weekend, when about 800 young people at National Harbor were fighting, shoplifting, illegally smoking and engaging in other criminal behavior, Police Chief Malik Aziz said.

    A sign at National Harbor seen on April 26, 2024. (WTOP/Matt Kaufax)

    Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks declared a state of emergency Thursday that allows officials to enforce the curfew.

    Alsobrooks’ order came after the Prince George’s County Council took action to address incidents at National Harbor this week. The Committee of the Whole passed an emergency bill Tuesday that would let the county police chief designate juvenile curfew zones if requested by retail and commercial property owners.

    That legislation could be taken up by the council next week. If passed, it would not become law until late next month at the earliest.

    WTOP’s Matt Kaufax was at National Harbor when the curfew went into effect.

    “There’s not a lot of activity on the streets, but you can see an elevated police presence,” he said. “I just had a squad car pull up to me a few seconds ago and there are signs clearly delineating all around National Harbor that the Prince George’s County emergency juvenile curfew is in effect.”

    In the area of National Plaza and Waterfront Street, Kaufax said he spoke with a number of business owners about the curfew who said they really don’t have to worry about things until it gets dark.

    “But, they say, when that happens, there have been a lot of issues recently with looting, vandalism, yelling, profanity, lots of fighting, lots of teens out and about just causing rowdiness and committing crime, frankly, in this area late night. They are in favor — every small business owner who I’ve spoken to today is in favor of this curfew,” he said.

    Prince George’s County police confirmed to WTOP that exact data of how many warnings were dolled out will be released on Monday.

    WTOP’s Jessica Kronzer and Matt Kaufax contributed to this report.

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    © 2024 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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    Thomas Robertson

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