NFL logo shown on field. The Washington Commanders are getting a new stadium.NFL logo (Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images)
The Washington Commanders’ hope to get a brand new stadium is now at the five-yard line.

Washington has played at Northwest Stadium (previously FedExField) since 1997. Though it’s only 28 years old, the Washington Commanders’ home (located in Landover, Maryland) has long been regarded as the worst NFL venue.

Well, there’s good news for Commanders players and fans who have gotten fed up with Northwest Stadium. According to a report from Mark Segraves of NBC 4 Washington, the District of Columbia is close to finalizing plans on a new $3 billion stadium that will be built at the site of Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium, currently under demolition:

“D.C. is close to a deal worth more than $3 billion to bring the Washington Commanders back to the District and build a new stadium at the RFK Stadium site.

The deal isn’t final as negotiations are ongoing, so the number could change, but multiple sources familiar with the deal told News4 that Mayor Muriel Bowser and the Commanders have the framework for a deal in place that would see the team paying the vast majority of the costs to build a new stadium and much of the money provided by the city going for infrastructure that will support the entire 180-acre development.”

Segraves reports that the Washington Commanders would pay up to $2.5 billion, with the District funding $850 million. The proposed deal outlines that the stadium would be completed by 2030, a timeline previously requested by owner Josh Harris.

Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium was the home of Washington’s NFL franchise from 1961 to 1996. It was also the home venue for the Washington Senators of Major League Baseball before relocating to Dallas–Fort Worth to become the Texas Rangers in 1972.

Demolition on Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium began in January, with an initial timeline of 18-22 months.

As Segraves noted, there is one giant hurdle: Congress ordered the District to make $410 million in budget cuts for the 2025 fiscal year, so D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser can’t put together her 2026 budget plan until the $410 million issue is resolved.

Things Keep Getting Better For Washington Commanders In Post-Dan Snyder Era

Biggest Super Bowl Contender Among 8 NFL Playoff TeamsJayden Daniels of the Washington Commanders (Photo by: Getty Images)
Washington was easily the NFL’s most dysfunctional franchise during Dan Snyder’s tenure as owner (1999 to 2022). But Harris, GM Adam Peters, head coach Dan Quinn and superstar QB Jayden Daniels have quickly worked together to rebuild Washington into a contender, leading the club to a surprise NFC Championship Game appearance in January.

With a hands-off owner, a savvy front office, a top coaching staff, a plethora of young and veteran talent and a new stadium on the way, things haven’t been this nice for the NFL franchise since its dynastic days under legendary head coach Joe Gibbs.