"Major NFL franchise secures city commitment following significant increase, bringing a $3 billion upgrade to a legendary stadium within reach"
Washington Commanders Secure Approval for New Stadium
The Washington Commanders are one step closer to returning to their home in Washington, D.C., as the District of Columbia has approved a plan to build a new stadium on the site of the former RFK Stadium.
In a 9-3 vote on August 1, 2025, the D.C. Council advanced the $3.7 billion RFK redevelopment project. This vote is the first of two required, with the final vote scheduled for September 17, 2025. The strong margin of the initial vote and statements from officials indicate confidence that the deal will be approved in full.
The new stadium will be a 65,000-seat facility and form part of a 174-acre mixed-use development that includes housing, sports complexes, and retail shops. The project aims to revitalize the long-neglected area along the Anacostia River, where the original RFK Stadium is located.
Mayor Muriel Bowser and Commanders owner Josh Harris both publicly support the project. Bowser has referred to the deal as a "BBD," or a big, beautiful deal, due to its potential to become an integral economic driver for the district.
The Commanders' new stadium will not only provide a state-of-the-art, Super Bowl-ready venue for the team but also create thousands of jobs and unlock long-term economic benefits for the District. Commanders president Mark Clouse has estimated that within the stadium's first year, they will bring in $1.3 billion in gross revenue, of which 57 percent will be new net revenue to D.C.
The Commanders found their quarterback for the future after their second overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, Jayden Daniels, led the team to the NFC Championship Game with a 12-5 record, their best since 1994.
The stadium deal was previously thought to be in jeopardy due to a threat from US President Donald Trump to restrict the deal if the team did not revert back to its past name - the Redskins. However, the Commanders have since changed their name, and the latest changes to the stadium plan call for additional community support and a particular emphasis on environmental considerations throughout the project.
Council pro tempore Kenyan McDuffie expressed appreciation for the effort to get the bill to its current state, stating, "This is a once-in-a-generation investment in our city, and I'm proud to be a part of making it happen."
DC Mayor Muriel Bowser and the Commanders announced their plans to bring the team back to the district in April, with a return scheduled for 2030. Harris, on behalf of the Commanders, stated that the project is about more than delivering a world-class stadium; it's about the revitalization of the city and long-term benefits for the District.
With the District of Columbia's approval of the stadium bill, the Commanders are now one step closer to creating new history under their new moniker, which is here to stay.
- The Commanders, having successfully secured approval for a new football stadium, will return to their home in Washington, D.C., a move that aligns with the NFL's long list of American-football stadiums across the country.
- In addition to American-football, sports enthusiasts in the district can look forward to MMA events in the new mixed-use development, as it will include sports complexes that cater to a variety of sports.
- The NBA has been discussing the possibility of expanding its roster, and with the revitalization of the District of Columbia, the prospect of a new NBA team in DC is not entirely out of the question.
- As part of their sports-analysis, many critics have praised the Commanders for their strategic moves both on and off the field, with their success in the NFL and the progress made on their new stadium project.
