NFL Commanders $3B Stadium Plan Returns Team To DC; Super Bowl To Follow?

By Barry Janoff

Artist's Rendition: CommandersApril 28, 2025: The Washington Commanders and Washington DC officials today unveiled a plan to build a $3 billion stadium on the site of the current RFK Stadium that would being the franchise back to DC.

With an eye on hosting the Super Bowl and other events year-round, the approximately 65,000-seat stadium will have a glass-domed roof.

Currently projected ancillary costs could raise the tab to $4 billion.

The proposed venue, which is expected to open in 2030, would occupy about 11% of the 180 acres at the RFK campus, with plans also including housing, parks and recreation, hotels, restaurants, retail and neighborhood amenities such as a sportsplex that would host year-round sporting events and tournaments for youth in DC.

"Today is a defining moment for the DMV and the Washington Commanders,” Josh Harris, Commanders managing partner, said via the team.

“RFK Stadium holds a legendary place in our history — it's where the team dominated the NFL, capturing three Super Bowls and creating unforgettable memories for fans. Now, we have the opportunity to honor that legacy by building a new world-class stadium — one that is also a once-in-a-generation catalyst for uplifting and transforming our region.”

The plan awaits final approval from the DC city council.

Under terms of the deal, the Commanders “will drive the investment of at least $2.7 billion to build a roofed stadium that can be used year-round, together with related improvements, making this the single largest private investment in DC's history.”

DC Government (the District) “will invest $500 million for stadium horizontal and non-vertical costs from the Sports Facilities Fee (formerly known as the Ballpark Fee).”

The District will invest $202 million for utilities infrastructure, roadways and a Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority transit study.

The District will facilitate parking development using a $175 million revenue bond, which will be funded by in-stadium activity once the stadium is operating. Events DC will contribute up to $181 million for parking garages near the community recreation facilities, which Events DC will own.

The Commanders (then the Redskins) played in DC’s RFK Stadium for 35 seasons, from 1961 to 1996. They then moved to Jack Kent Cook Stadium in Landover, MD in 1997, which became FedEx Field from 1999-2024, and renamed Northwest Stadium when the naming rights deal ended.

The team will remain in Northwest Stadium until the new venue opens.

RFK Stadium is currently being demolished.

"Some of my earliest football memories growing up in the District were going to games at RFK Stadium,” NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said via the Commanders. “It's time to bring the Commanders home.

"We are grateful for Josh Harris' vision and determination and the leadership of DC Mayor Muriel Bowser in moving this transformational project forward. This world-class stadium will not only be an exciting site for NFL games and events in an iconic location but it will also be a community asset and an economic driver."

During their time at RFK, the team won Super Bowl XVII (following the 1983 NFL season), Super Bowl XXII (following the 1987 season) and Super Bowl XXVI (following the 1991 season).

Should the stadium open for the 2030 season, and given the NFL’s penchant for letting a new venue settle in for at least a year, the Commanders could potentially host Super Bowl LXVI in February 2032.

According to both sides, RFK campus through this deal is expected to create approximately 14,000 jobs in connection to the stadium construction alone and 2,000 permanent jobs.

“We said that we could do it all — Commanders, housing, park space, recreation, retail, entertainment and more — and, together, that's what we are delivering,"

The stadium and surrounding development is anticipated to create approximately $4 billion in total tax revenue and yield more than $15.6 billion in direct spending over 30 years.

“We said that we could do it all — Commanders, housing, park space, recreation, retail, entertainment and more — and, together, that's what we are delivering," Mayor Bowser said via the team.

"When we got control of 180 acres of land on the banks of the Anacostia, we knew right away that partnering with the Commanders would be the fastest and surest route to bringing the RFK campus to life. As we focus on the growth of our economy, we're not only bringing our team home, but we're also bringing new jobs and new revenue to our city and to Ward 7."

According to Harris. "Working hand-in-hand with District and community leaders, we're focused on delivering an incredible home for our players and fans, creating a landmark venue that reflects the pride of our nation's capital, and sparking a new era of economic opportunity across the DMV.

“RFK was once a place our fans loved, and opponents feared — we're determined to make it that way again."

The stadium opened in autumn 1961 as District of Columbia Stadium and also was home to MLB’s Washington Senators. It was renamed in January 1969 for U.S. Senator and presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy, who had been assassinated in Los Angeles seven months earlier.

Back to Home Page