“A historic moment”: Commanders take huge step forward in new stadium plan
After a vote by the D.C. Council, the Washington Commanders are set to get their new home near the site of the old RFK Stadium.
The Washington Commanders are set to get a new home. The District of Columbia Council has approved a deal to construct a state-of-the-art stadium with a capacity of 65,000 fans, to be located near the site of the old RFK Stadium at 2400 East Capitol Street SE.
Before the NFL franchise’s new arena can be given the final green light, the council will hold another vote in September. However, insiders have revealed to ESPN that the Commanders have been told they can move forward with their plans, with the second ballot expected to yield the same result.
“This is a historic moment”
The Commanders’ majority owner, Josh Harris, expressed his gratitude following the council’s approval on Friday, after the measure passed with a 9-3 vote. Harris also emphasized the economic impact of the project, noting that it stands to generate significant employment during both the construction phase and long-term operations.
“We’re incredibly grateful to the mayor and the council throughout this process for their leadership and guidance," Harris said. “This is a historic moment. This project is about more than delivering a world-class stadium worthy of our players, fans and the region. It’s about revitalizing a critical part of our city, creating thousands of jobs and unlocking long-term economic benefits for the district.”
When is Commanders’ new stadium expected to be ready?
The plan calls for a domed stadium to be completed by 2030, with the goal of hosting a future Super Bowl. The roofed design would also allow the venue to stage concerts and major events during the NFL offseason, including the NCAA Final Four.
The Commanders have played in Landover, Maryland, since leaving RFK Stadium after the 1996 season. According to D.C. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser, bringing the NFL franchise back to the District could generate an estimated $4 billion in tax revenue for the local government.
How much will the new Commanders stadium cost?
According to multiple reports, the projected cost of the new stadium is approximately $3.8 billion, with the financial burden shared between the city and the team. The District of Columbia is expected to contribute $1.1 billion toward infrastructure and parking, while the Commanders will cover the remaining $2.7 billion for the stadium’s construction.
When could the stadium host a Super Bowl?
Under current NFL policies, the earliest Washington could host a Super Bowl would be two years after the stadium opens. With a target completion date of 2030, the 2032 Super Bowl could be a realistic and exciting possibility for the city.
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