The Washington Commanders unveiled plans for a $2.7 billion RFK Stadium revival, featuring a glass dome and open views of the U.S. Capitol to provide D.C. and the franchise with a cultural reset
15:05 ET, 28 Apr 2025Updated 15:05 ET, 28 Apr 2025
(Image: Commanders/X)
The RFK Stadium grounds in Washington, D.C., have stood dormant since 2019, but the new-look Washington Commanders under young star Jayden Daniels are ready to return to the city in a way that has the entire town buzzing.
New mockups of the Commanders’ scheduled $2.7 billion stadium were released on X on Monday afternoon. The photos showcased a futuristic domed structure made practically entirely of glass with its roof and walls.
The Commanders reported that the new project is slated to open in 2030 and promises to continue a cultural reset for Washington D.C., as previously promised by team Managing Partner Josh Harris. After announcing plans to contribute to the project on Sunday, the Commanders released the first batch of concept images to the press the following day.
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The images showcased a glossy stadium stained with team colors, set along the Anacostia River, which flows from Prince George’s County in Maryland into Washington, D.C. One of the standout features was a wide glass ceiling that provided an unobstructed, clear view of the U.S. Capitol through the back of the end zone. The giant glass wall also allows the American flag to visibly fly at full mast from the inside of the area.
The new stadium is expected to hold around 65,000 compared to the 67,617 fans that fit at their current home in Northwest Stadium. But the team’s home games are currently played in Summerfield, Maryland, and the Commanders made it clear on X just how much they’re itching to bring football back to D.C.
A concept of the Commanders new end zone glass wall(Image: Commanders/X)
Harris and D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser stood side by side at the announcement to unveil their vision for the new RFK site. Under the terms of the deal, the Commanders will invest at least $2.7 billion in the stadium and surrounding developments, including restaurants, recreational areas, lodging facilities, and more to utilize the 190-acre RFK campus.
Only 11 percent of the entire grounds will be occupied by the stadium itself, producing room for up to 6,000 new housing units, of which 30 percent are promised to be fixed as affordable housing. The District will also contribute $500 million to cover construction costs and other fees.
The roof structure concept for a new RFK Stadium in DC(Image: Commanders/X)
The Commanders played in DC from 1961 to 1996, winning all three of their Super Bowl championships in the city. The team has made the playoffs just eight times since moving from those grounds, with most appearances ending in early Wild Card and Divisional Round losses.
The best season in the team’s history occurred at the new grounds site in 1991, where their fans provided a home-field advantage, resulting in only one regular-season loss at home. Washington capped off that season with a Super Bowl win over the Buffalo Bills. The team’s worst season in history occurred in its first year on RFK ground, finishing with a record of 1-12 in 1961.