Developers' plan for constructing a stadium at RFK gets a green light from the D.C. City Council, marking a significant milestone in the project's progress.
The Washington Commanders' plans for a new stadium on the old RFK Stadium site in Washington D.C. have taken a significant step forward. On August 1, 2025, the D.C. City Council voted in favor (9-3) of the $3.8 billion redevelopment, which includes the construction of a new 65,000-seat domed stadium for the Commanders.
The legislation, which requires a second council vote and approval from Mayor Muriel Bowser before finalization, will transfer the land and proceed with the project. The Commanders plan to break ground in 2026, aiming for completion of the stadium by 2030.
The overall project is valued at approximately $3.7 billion, with $1 billion contributed by the District of Columbia and $2.7 billion funded by the team. The redevelopment will include 6,000 housing units, with 30% designated as affordable housing.
The Commanders had a meeting with Council chair Phil Mendelson in late July to adjust the financial terms of the deal. Under the terms of the agreement, the team will commit $2.7 billion to the redevelopment plan. The organization has secured some additional guarantees from the city on revenue that will go to the city.
The redevelopment also includes a SportsPlex for children, parks, and recreation space for the community. The final vote, scheduled for Sept. 17, seems like a formality, but it may not be the final hurdle for the stadium deal.
D.C. mayor Muriel Bowser, who has been leading the push for the stadium, celebrated the news. According to Bowser, the redevelopment will deliver jobs and opportunity when the city needs them most. The redevelopment will also build a campus that will make the city proud for generations of Washingtonians to come.
It is unclear how much former President Donald Trump's threat to hold up the stadium deal if the Commanders didn't bring back their old name matters at this point. The Commanders have not yet decided to bring back their old name.
In January, President Joe Biden already signed a bill that transferred the land from the federal government to the city. The city will add $1.1 billion in funding to the redevelopment plan. The redevelopment will make the Commanders' stadium "Super Bowl" ready, positioning the team to potentially host the NFL's biggest event.
The challenges ahead mainly involve execution of the detailed mixed-use development on schedule and managing political and community expectations. The team has yet to select a developer for the mixed-use component and must adhere to a timeline with penalties if development milestones are missed.
The new stadium, if approved, will be a significant boost for the Commanders and the city of Washington D.C., bringing a modern sports facility and a vibrant mixed-use development to the heart of the city. The final vote, scheduled for Sept. 17, will be a crucial step towards making this vision a reality.
- Despite uncertainties about the team's decision to bring back their old name, the new Washington Commanders stadium project moves forward, with a vote scheduled on September 17.
- The redevelopment plan, valued at around $3.7 billion, includes not only a 65,000-seat stadium for the Commanders, but also a SportsPlex for children, parks, and affordable housing units.
- The project, which aims to be "Super Bowl" ready, will be a significant sports- betting opportunity, with the NFL's biggest event potentially hosted by the Commanders in their new stadium.
