New Stadium at RFK Campus

New Stadium at RFK Campus
New RFK Stadium
Stylistic rendering
Interactive map of New Stadium at RFK Campus
Address2400 East Capitol Street SE
LocationWashington, D.C., U.S.
Coordinates38°53′24″N 76°58′19″W / 38.89°N 76.9719°W / 38.89; -76.9719
OwnerGovernment of DC
OperatorWashington Commanders
Capacity65,000
TypeMulti-purpose stadium
Events
RoofSkylight
Public transit
Construction
Groundbreaking2027 (2027) (planned)
Opened2030 (2030) (planned)
Cost
US$3.8 billion
Architectural styleNeoclassical
ArchitectHKS
General contractors
Tenant
Washington Commanders (NFL) (c. 2030)
Website
OurRFK.DC.gov

New Stadium at RFK Campus is the project name for an indoor stadium in Washington, D.C. scheduled to open in 2030. It will serve as the home venue of the National Football League (NFL) team Washington Commanders and host other sports and public events. The stadium will be the successor of the former RFK Stadium—home of the team from 1961 to 1996—located along the Anacostia River in the city's Hill East neighborhood.

The stadium, designed by architectural firm HKS, will be owned by the government of DC and managed by the Commanders. It is planned for a seating capacity of 65,000 and a neoclassical-inspired colonnade exterior with a skylit roof. The stadium—projected to cost US$3.8 billion—will be among the most expensive ever built and will anchor new adjacent mixed-use development.

History

The former RFK Stadium pictured in 2005. New Stadium at RFK Campus is being designed as its successor.

In the early 2010s, the National Football League (NFL) team Washington Commanders (then known as the Redskins) initiated a search for a site to build a new home venue to replace Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland. The team considered Oxon Cove Park in Maryland and Sterling, Dumfries, and Woodbridge in Virginia,[1][2][3] but ultimately desired the location of the former Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium in Washington, D.C.[4][5] RFK Stadium, considered the "spiritual home" of the team by its owners, had previously hosted their games from its opening in 1961 until 1996.[6] It closed in 2019 due to its age and poor condition and was deconstructed in 2025.[7] The campus had been managed by the National Park Service since the District of Columbia Stadium Act of 1957 (H.R. 1937). On July 27, 2023, Congress introduced the D.C. Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium Campus Revitalization Act (H.R. 4984), which proposed transferring control to the DC city government through a 99-year lease and permitting mixed-use development. The act was passed by the House of Representatives on February 28, 2024, the Senate on December 21, 2024, and signed into law by president Joe Biden on January 6, 2025.[8][9][10]

On April 28, 2025, DC mayor Muriel Bowser, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, and Commanders owner Josh Harris held a joint press conference announcing the RFK Campus as the site for the stadium.[11][12] U.S. president Donald Trump suggested blocking the deal in July 2025 unless the Commanders returned to the Redskins branding and later stated a desire for the stadium to be named after him.[13][14] The project was tentatively approved by the DC Council in August 2025, with another vote finalizing it the following month.[6] The stadium is expected to open in 2030.[15] Work on foundational infrastructure began in April 2026, with groundbreaking scheduled for early 2027.[16] The stadium will be financed through a public–private partnership between the government of DC owning it and the Commanders managing it.[17][18] The Commanders are slated to contribute $2.7 billion for its construction, a parking garage, and any additional cost overrun, with DC spending $500 million on infrastructure by way of the Sports Facilities Fee, $356 million on another parking garage by way of Events DC bonds, and $202 million on public utilities by way of general taxes.[5][15][19] DC is planning for an expansion of the nearby Stadium–Armory Metrorail station and a new Metrobus rapid transit line mirroring the route of the former DC Streetcar to reduce traffic congestion and reliance on parking around the stadium.[20] The Commanders will collect revenue from personal seat licenses (PSL), tickets, and parking for events, with DC anticipating over $5 billion in sales taxes raised over 30 years.[15][21][22][23] Around 8,000 parking spots will be available on opening day.[24] The stadium is expected to host up to 200 additional events annually, such as concerts, Olympic events, college sports, international soccer and rugby matches, and other ceremonies and gatherings. It is in consideration to host Super Bowl LXV and the 2031 FIFA Women's World Cup final, with the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) team Washington Spirit suggested as a possible additional tenant.[17][22][25]

Design

New Stadium at RFK Campus is an indoor stadium being designed by architectural firm HKS in a neoclassical style inspired by the original RFK Stadium, featuring an exterior of colonnades in a wave pattern and a skylight roof made from cable-netted ETFE.[26][27] It will be constructed by a joint venture of Clark Construction, Mortenson Construction, and SmootDC.[28] The playing surface has not been decided upon, with natural grass being preferred by the Commanders.[29] It will have an seating capacity of 65,000 and upwards of 5,000 in standing-room only, with a section that will simulate the shaking stands RFK Stadium was known for.[30][31] New Stadium at RFK Campus is projected to cost US$3.8 billion, ranking it among the most expensive stadiums ever constructed.[5] The top row of seating will be below 130 ft (40 m) to comply with DC's Height of Buildings Act, with the stadium sunken into the ground and fused with RFK Stadium's original foundation.[26][32] The site, considered an eastern gateway into Capitol Hill and downtown DC as part of the L'Enfant Plan monumental axis, lies along the western bank of the Anacostia River adjacent to the D.C. Armory approximately 2 miles (3.2 km) east of the United States Capitol and National Mall.[6][15][33] The stadium is bordered by C Street and Independence Avenue, which respectively run along the stadium's northern and southern edges before converging at the Whitney Young Memorial Bridge to continue East Capitol Street eastward.[34][35] A balcony on the stadium's western entrance will overlook the plaza and offer views of the Capitol building and Washington Monument down East Capitol Street.[36]

Mixed-use development

Plans for adjacent mixed-use development

New Stadium at RFK Campus will eventually anchor approximately 180 acres (0.73 km2) of adjacent mixed-use development featuring housing, hotels, restaurants, shops, offices, parks, and public spaces.[15][19] The Commanders are to oversee the development of the Plaza and Riverfront districts.[15] The DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) will develop the Recreation district, adding a $89 million indoor gymnasium and sports facility to the existing Fields at RFK recreation center,[35] the Kingman Commons district, which will expand upon the bordering Kingman Park residential neighborhood to the northwest, and Anacostia Commons, a protected riparian zone along Kingman Lake containing a section of the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail.[15] Around 6,000 residences are expected to be built across Kingman Commons and the Plaza and Riverfront districts, with 30% designated to be affordable.[37] Over a third of the campus will be dedicated to green space, with heritage trees preserved.[38] A grass plaza west of the stadium, known as the Festival Plaza, will host public events, markets, and concerts.[39] The Commanders will move their corporate headquarters next to the stadium while retaining their football operations and training facility in Ashburn, Virginia.[19] Due to phased zoning approval, full district construction is expected to take until 2040.[15][37]

References

  1. ↑ Broom, Scott (December 10, 2018). "The possible Redskins stadium site you've never heard of". WUSA9. Archived from the original on April 18, 2022. Retrieved May 26, 2025.
  2. ↑ Jhabvala, Nicki; Vozzella, Laura (February 25, 2022). "Commanders eye three possible sites in Virginia for new stadium, entertainment complex". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on December 3, 2022. Retrieved May 26, 2025.
  3. ↑ Keim, John (May 23, 2022). "Source: Washington Commanders spend $100 million on land in Virginia for possible stadium". ESPN. Archived from the original on June 29, 2025. Retrieved May 26, 2025.
  4. ↑ O'Connell, Jonathan; Heath, Thomas (August 29, 2014). "Redskins, Olympic backers both eye new stadium at RFK". The Washington Post. Retrieved May 26, 2025.
  5. 1 2 3 Aldridge, David; Jhabvala, Nicki (May 7, 2026). "How the Commanders returned to D.C.: The wild, unlikely saga of a years-long journey home". The Athletic. The New York Times. Retrieved May 11, 2026.
  6. 1 2 3 Gathright, Jenny (September 17, 2025). "D.C.'s $3.7 billion Commanders stadium deal gets final council approval". The Washington Post. Retrieved September 17, 2025.
  7. ↑ Domingo, Ida (January 12, 2025). "RFK Stadium demolition to begin late January, officials say". WJLA-TV. Retrieved January 12, 2025.
  8. ↑ Adragna, Anthony (February 28, 2024). "House passes bill transferring control of RFK Stadium site to DC, enabling possible Commanders redevelopment". Politico. Archived from the original on June 27, 2025. Retrieved September 29, 2025.
  9. ↑ Whyno, Stephen (December 21, 2024). "Senate passes RFK Stadium land bill, giving the Washington Commanders a major off-the-field win". Associated Press. Archived from the original on July 23, 2025. Retrieved September 29, 2025.
  10. ↑ Whyno, Stephen (January 6, 2025). "Biden signs RFK Stadium land bill into law, a step toward potential Commanders stadium in Washington". Associated Press. Archived from the original on April 28, 2025. Retrieved April 29, 2025.
  11. ↑ Flynn, Meagan; Fortier, Sam; Jhabvala (April 28, 2025). "D.C., Commanders announce $3.7B deal to move team to RFK Stadium site". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Archived from the original on April 29, 2025. Retrieved April 28, 2025.
  12. ↑ Standig, Ben; Aldridge, David (April 27, 2025). "D.C. mayor announces Commanders will build new stadium in nation's capital". The Athletic. The New York Times. Archived from the original on September 12, 2025. Retrieved September 29, 2025.
  13. ↑ Stein, Rob (July 20, 2025). "Trump threatens to derail Washington Commanders' new stadium deal over team name". NPR. Archived from the original on July 21, 2025. Retrieved July 21, 2025.
  14. ↑ Van Natta Jr., Don; Schefter, Adam (November 8, 2025). "Sources: Trump wants Commanders' new D.C. stadium named for him". ESPN. Retrieved November 10, 2025.
  15. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Gathright, Jenny; Flynn, Meagan (September 18, 2025). "The Washington Commanders stadium is coming to D.C. Here's what to expect". The Washington Post. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  16. ↑ Doran, John (March 30, 2026). "Commanders managing partner Josh Harris says stadium construction is on track". WUSA9. Retrieved May 11, 2026.
  17. 1 2 Jhabvala, Nicki; Maske, Mark (April 28, 2025). "Commanders' stadium plans could put D.C. in the Super Bowl mix". The Washington Post. Retrieved May 5, 2025.
  18. ↑ "Term Sheet For the Redevelopment of a Portion of the Robert F. Kennedy Stadium Campus" (PDF). documentcloud.org. April 28, 2025. p. 8. Archived from the original on May 2, 2025. Retrieved May 4, 2025.
  19. 1 2 3 McCormick, Bret (August 1, 2025). "Commanders potential RFK Stadium project passes first D.C. Council vote". Sports Business Journal. Archived from the original on August 12, 2025. Retrieved September 29, 2025.
  20. ↑ Murillo, Mike (May 12, 2026). "No new Metro station planned for RFK Stadium site, but new Gold Line bus service proposed to handle crowds". WTOP. Retrieved May 12, 2026.
  21. ↑ Abraham, Scott (April 28, 2025). "The PSL-era will arrive with a new Commanders stadium in DC". WJLA-TV. Archived from the original on June 12, 2025. Retrieved October 11, 2025.
  22. 1 2 "Commanders $3.7B stadium project gets D.C. City Council OK". Reuters. September 17, 2025. Retrieved September 29, 2025.
  23. ↑ Dil, Cuneyt (September 17, 2025). "D.C. approves $3.7 billion RFK Stadium project for Commanders". Axios. Retrieved October 12, 2025.
  24. ↑ "NCPC Preliminary Review" (PDF). ncpc.gov. National Capital Planning Commission. February 27, 2026. Retrieved May 28, 2026.
  25. ↑ Dil, Cuneyt (September 24, 2025). "D.C. hopes to land 2031 Super Bowl at redeveloped RFK Stadium". Axios. Archived from the original on September 24, 2025. Retrieved September 24, 2025.
  26. 1 2 Jhabvala, Nicki (January 15, 2026). "Commanders' new stadium renderings depict an homage to the team's past". The Athletic. Retrieved January 18, 2026.
  27. ↑ Spiegel, Anna; Cuneyt, Dil (January 15, 2026). "What architecture experts like — and don't — about Commanders' stadium designs". Axios. Retrieved January 19, 2026.
  28. ↑ "Clark | Mortenson | SmootDC Joint Venture Tapped to Build New Washington Commanders Stadium". Commanders.com. August 11, 2026. Retrieved August 14, 2026.
  29. ↑ Domen, John (June 28, 2025). "Commanders go international for possible designs in new DC stadium". WTOP. Retrieved July 19, 2026.
  30. ↑ Edholm, Eric (January 15, 2026). "Commanders unveil initial renderings of new roofed stadium at RFK site". NFL.com. Retrieved May 11, 2026.
  31. ↑ Lambert, Ivan (July 11, 2026). "Exciting news for Commanders' new stadium". Commanders Wire. USA Today. Retrieved July 15, 2026.
  32. ↑ Neibauer, Michael (September 10, 2025). "Height Act won't limit Commanders stadium dome, D.C. zoning administrator rules". Washington Business Journal. Archived from the original on October 6, 2025. Retrieved September 23, 2025.
  33. ↑ O'Gorek, Elizabeth (February 14, 2025). "Mayor: NFL Stadium Fastest Route to RFK Development". Hill Rag. Archived from the original on February 16, 2025. Retrieved October 7, 2025. The charge that we would give any architect that works with us is that this stadium will be on the monumental axis in the nation's capital that's built on the L'Enfant Plan
  34. ↑ Allen, Ike (April 28, 2025). "What to Know About the $3.6 Billion New Commanders Stadium Plan". Washingtonian. Archived from the original on August 6, 2025. Retrieved September 29, 2025.
  35. 1 2 Stark, Cortlynn (August 17, 2019). "While stadium rusts away, newly opened Fields at RFK offers a glimpse into site's future". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on August 19, 2024. Retrieved September 29, 2025.
  36. ↑ Flack, Eric (July 16, 2026). "Commanders Stadium wins preliminary CFA approval, but federal design panel wants stronger entrances and more review of parking garage plans". WUSA9. Retrieved July 19, 2026.
  37. 1 2 Dil, Cuneyt (September 22, 2025). "RFK Stadium neighborhood delayed beyond 2030". Axios. Archived from the original on September 23, 2025. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  38. ↑ Caraballo, Marina; Rodriguez, Francisco (September 23, 2025). "Commanders Promise to Preserve Some of RFK Stadium's Heritage Trees". Washington City Paper. Archived from the original on September 24, 2025. Retrieved September 29, 2025.
  39. ↑ Jonas Roche, Daniel (April 29, 2026). "OJB shares landscape plans for Washington Commanders stadium". The Architect's Newspaper. Retrieved May 26, 2026.
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