Washington, D.C. — April 28, 2025
After decades away, professional football is finally coming home to the District. Mayor Muriel Bowser, Commanders owner Josh Harris, and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell gathered today to announce a landmark $3.7 billion agreement to redevelop the RFK Stadium site into a new home for the Washington Commanders — a project that will also transform the surrounding 177 acres into a thriving waterfront neighborhood.
The announcement, narrated in a powerful video by former Super Bowl-winning quarterback Joe Theismann, marks a pivotal moment not just for Washington football fans, but for the future of D.C.’s Anacostia Riverfront.
“This is more than a stadium,” Mayor Bowser said. “It’s about jobs, housing, new parks, and restoring the pride and energy that this site once brought to our city.”
A New Vision for RFK
The RFK campus is being reimagined as a vibrant, mixed-use community. The Commanders will anchor the development with a 65,000-seat, roofed stadium, while the broader plan includes new residential neighborhoods (with affordable housing), retail districts, parks, and an $89 million multi-sports complex for youth and adults.
The project follows a proven model seen at Nationals Park, where the stadium’s construction helped revitalize Navy Yard into one of the District’s most vibrant neighborhoods, filled with new housing, restaurants, and business opportunities. Officials believe the Commanders’ return could have a similarly transformative effect east of the river.
“Energy brings more energy,” the city’s promotional video declared, showing an image of D.C.’s sports teams as puzzle pieces — with the Commanders finally sliding into place.
From Crumbling Asphalt to a New Future
For years, development at the RFK site was stalled by federal restrictions. Under the old lease, the land could only be used for stadium purposes and recreation, limiting the ability to build housing, shops, or other community amenities. That changed when President Biden signed the RFK Campus Revitalization Act into law earlier this year, transferring control of the site to D.C. for a minimum of 99 years and lifting the land-use restrictions.
Now, the District has the power to create a true mixed-use community while protecting green space. At least 30% of the land — not counting the riverfront — must remain dedicated to parks and open space, ensuring a balance between development and environmental preservation.
Immediate next steps include demolishing the aging RFK Stadium structure, starting as soon as this summer, and beginning large-scale infrastructure upgrades at the site.
Financing the Deal
The Commanders will contribute $2.7 billion toward the stadium’s construction, while D.C. taxpayers will fund $500 million in infrastructure support. However, when factoring in roadways, utilities, and parking garages, total public investment could exceed $1 billion.
To help cover the costs, the city plans to extend the “Ballpark Fee” — a tax on D.C. businesses initially created to pay for Nationals Park — and rebrand it as the “Sports Facilities Fee.” While some businesses had expected the fee to expire in 2026, they will now be asked to continue contributing.
The Commanders are also expected to launch a Personal Seat License (PSL) program, requiring fans to pay upfront for the right to buy season tickets — a move that could significantly raise ticket prices.
Building a Community, Not Just a Stadium
The RFK redevelopment plan promises more than just football. It includes:
- A plaza district for festivals, markets, and entertainment
- A riverfront neighborhood with restaurants, shops, and apartments
- A new Kingman Park residential district
- An expanded recreation district with sports fields and trails
- Preservation and restoration of riparian areas along the Anacostia River
Community input will help shape the final plans. D.C. residents are being invited to share their ideas for how to use the 30% of the land reserved for parks and open spaces.
A Defining Legacy
For Bowser and Harris, this project could define their legacies. For D.C. residents, it’s a chance to watch their team come home — and to witness the rebirth of a historic piece of the city’s landscape.
“We are putting the soul back into the city,” Josh Harris said. “This is not just about building a stadium. It’s about building community, building pride, and building the future.”
If all goes according to plan, shovels will hit the ground in 2026, and the Commanders will kick off their first home game at the new RFK site by the 2030 season.