The Washington Commanders have selected the lead architect, HKS, for their new stadium, set to be built on the RFK Campus in D.C.’s Northeast quadrant.
HKS has designed three active NFL arenas — Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium, the Minnesota Vikings’ U.S. Bank Stadium and the Dallas Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium.
The 180-acre RFK campus will be redesigned into a $3.8 billion mixed-use area complemented by housing and stores.
“HKS has a proven track record of delivering world-class stadiums that balance design, functionality and community impact,” Commanders President Mark Clouse said in a statement Thursday. “This partnership underscores our shared vision to create a stadium that enhances the fan experience, strengthens our connection with the community, and sets a new standard for the future of sports and entertainment — delivering an exceptional experience that will serve our team, our fans, and the District for decades to come.”
The team finalized a deal in September to move from its current home in Landover, Maryland, to Washington. Commanders owner Josh Harris said he hopes to open the new stadium before the 2030 season.
Harris grew up attending games at the old RFK Stadium — the team’s home from 1961 to 1996. Commanders officials have said they plan to bring back a rowdy atmosphere, a stark contrast to the much-maligned vibe at Northwest Stadium.
“We’re reimagining what home-field advantage means by channeling the rhythm and the roar that made RFK so special and carrying that spirit forward in a bold new way,” Mark Williams, HKS’ global venue director, said in a statement. “The site, set within the monumental fabric of Washington, D.C., is one of the most extraordinary in professional sports, and we are honored to help write the next chapter in its history.”
The new stadium will have a roof to facilitate year-round events, with the hopes of attracting the Super Bowl, the NCAA Final Four, and WrestleMania. Mr. Clouse has said the team is considering a dome — like U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis — or a translucent roof — like SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
The Commanders plan to host 65,000 fans at the new stadium. Critics have expressed concerns about its use, worrying that the prime real estate along the Anacostia River would be activated for only about 10 NFL games, including exhibition and playoff contests, each year.
Team officials counter that they plan to host 200 total events per year, from big-ticket concerts to the Women’s World Cup to conferences and community events.
Plans for the site feature 5,000 to 6,000 new homes. About 30% of those properties will be reserved for low-income housing, according to the team’s deal with the city council.
In addition to the stores, the campus will include green space and a community sportsplex for local athletes.
City officials are tearing down the old RFK Stadium. The rusting venue has been largely unused since its last tenant — MLS’ D.C. United — moved out in 2017.
The Commanders plan to break ground on the new home next year. Vertical construction of the stadium itself is slated to begin in 2027.
The plan for the new stadium has been decided after months of negotiations among city legislators, local residents and team officials.
The name of the state-of-the-art venue has not been decided. President Trump has pitched Donald Trump Stadium, according to multiple reports.
ESPN reported that the team has had “back-channel” communications with him about the potential honor.
“That would be a beautiful name, as it was President Trump who made the rebuilding of the new stadium possible,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in an emailed statement to multiple outlets.
The Commanders declined to comment on the statement. The team has not received official requests to name their stadium after Mr. Trump, according to the reports.
It’s unclear what role the president played in bringing the Commanders back to the District. Legislation passed in 2024 and signed by President Joseph R. Biden gave the city a 99-year lease of the waterfront site.
Mr. Trump attended the Commanders’ home game against the Detroit Lions on Sunday as a guest of Mr. Harris. The owner handed the president a customized No. 47 jersey as part of the festivities.
However, the Commanders do not have the ability to unilaterally name the stadium in honor of Mr. Trump. The term sheet, signed by city officials and the franchise, specifies that the local government and National Park Service would have input on the name.
Representatives from the Commanders have said they planned to honor Robert F. Kennedy, the original stadium’s namesake, who was an attorney general and senator, in some capacity at their new home. The team has also not ruled out a naming rights deal for the rebuilt stadium.