The Washington Commanders are officially set to return to the nation’s capital after nearly three decades away. The D.C. Council voted 11–2 to approve the redevelopment of the RFK Stadium site, where the team played until 1996. The plan calls for a new 65,000-seat stadium surrounded by a large mixed-use project featuring housing, retail, parkland, and entertainment venues. The Commanders are expected to contribute about $2.7 billion toward the stadium and surrounding facilities, while the District will provide around $1 billion for infrastructure and related improvements.
The vote followed weeks of intense debate, with some council members attempting to attach amendments such as financial penalties if affordable housing benchmarks weren’t met. Team officials cautioned that those demands could derail the deal, and most proposals were struck down before the final vote. With Mayor Muriel Bowser’s support and the council’s approval secured, construction is projected to begin in 2026. City leaders and team officials see the project as not only the Commanders’ long-awaited return home but also a massive economic driver for D.C., with hopes the new stadium will open by 2030.
