The Washington Commanders might have done something that can help redefine their public perception. The NFL organization and the District of Columbia have reached a $3.7 billion deal to restructure the decaying RFK Stadium as a new home for the Commanders. This comes at a heartwarming surprise considering that the Washington Commanders have been playing at the Northwest Stadium in Maryland since 1997. Now that the team is moving back to RFK, a lot of fans are happy the Commanders are back in D.C.
The new RFK Stadium is envisioned across 177 waterfronts. Encompassed by a roof, the stadium will have a capacity of 65,000 seats. It will be primarily funded by the Commanders, who’ll put up 2.7 billion, while D.C. taxpayers will pay $500 million toward the supporting infrastructure. The only issue is that total taxpayer costs are estimated to be $1 billion. This is due to the parking facilities, recreation improvement, plumbing, and electricity – a potential tension among D.C. residents and lawmakers regarding how the money is spent.
The council has to approve of the deal before moving forward. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser is expected to further include the public, when she submits her 2026 capital budget submission in the next week. When that happens, the Commanders and city are going to move quickly – so they can plan to begin construction next year. If all comes to fruition, the refinement of the RFK stadium will open for the 2030 season.
Owner Josh Harris has set the tone for this push for redevelopment. Hopefully, the new and improved RFK Stadium will be the proper change needed to help the perception of the Commanders. Despite progression in culture and player experience, the stigma of the franchise’s operations lingers. So, the Washington Commanders better make sure to continue the momentum to unravel a new era for the organization.
