The Commanders have begun work to build a new stadium - at a cost of $3.8 billion - but Donald Trump decided to insert himself into the picture, hoping the project will be named after him
17:56 ET, 08 Nov 2025
Demolition has begun for the Commanders stadium, which will be built on the site of the old RFK Stadium
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Demolition has begun for the Commanders stadium, which will be built on the site of the old RFK Stadium(Image: Getty Images)
The White House claimed it would be “beautiful” if the Washington Commanders named their new stadium after President Donald Trump.
According to ESPN, the Commanders were informed by the White House that Trump wishes to have the new stadium named after him. The NFC East franchise had plans for a new $3.7 billion stadium approved earlier this year.
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The organization is preparing to return to the old RFK Stadium site that served as its home from 1961 to 1996. Trump is hoping to receive a grand gesture and will attend Sunday's game in Washington, where the Commanders host the Detroit Lions.
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Trump is set to attend the Commanders' game to show his support for the team’s Salute to Service initiative. The 79-year-old will watch the game from the ownership box and could speak directly with managing partner Josh Harris.
After ESPN reported Trump’s hopes for the stadium name, his press secretary Karoline Leavitt said: “That would surely be a beautiful name, as it was President Trump who made the rebuilding of the new stadium possible.”
Ironically, Democratic President Joe Biden actually signed a bill in 2024 to transfer land - which included the site of the old stadium - to the federal government to the city. The deal will see the Commanders contribute $2.7 billion while the city will invest $1.1 billion into the project.
Back in September, the Commanders’ stadium project was approved by the D.C. City Council. Demolition work has begun as the new era approaches.
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U.S. President Donald Trump likes to insert himself, despite clamors to keep politics away from sports
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U.S. President Donald Trump likes to insert himself, despite clamors to keep politics away from sports(Image: Getty Images)
The return to the site of RFK Stadium is historic for the Commanders. The franchise played there for more than three decades and won three Super Bowls in the 1980s and 1990s.
The request from Trump is the latest chapter in an odd relationship with the NFC East franchise. Trump has repeatedly urged owner Harris to change the name back to the Redskins moniker, even threatening intervention in the stadium deal if he didn’t follow through.
The Commanders own the naming rights to the new stadium, which will likely be sold to a corporate sponsor. However, there could also be a memorialized name, although the District of Columbia Council would be involved in that decision alongside the National Park Service.
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NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, and Harris announced back in April that the Commanders' new stadium would be built in Washington. The new stadium is expected to be built in time for its scheduled opening in 2030.
The 3-6 Commanders host the 5-3 Lions on Sunday, Nov. 9.