Washington, D.C., and the NFL’s Washington Commanders are nearing an agreement to build the team’s new stadium at the RFK Stadium site, according to multiple reports.
Mayor Muriel Bowser and the Commanders have been engaged in conversations for months for the team to return to Washington, and while a deal has not yet been finalized, a framework is reportedly in place.
Calls for the Commanders to return to Washington became more of a reality once Congress voted in December to give Washington control of the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial stadium, where the Commanders played from 1961 to 1996. The team currently plays home games in Landover, Maryland, but their lease at Northwest Stadium expires in 2027.
In February, the Council of the District of Columbia gave approval for Washington to accept the transfer of the RFK site into its control.
Bowser has been very open about her desire to see the Commanders return to Washington. She envisions the RFK site being transformed into a hub and leading to the development of housing and retail space.
The team’s owner, Josh Harris, has also expressed his interest in the Commanders returning to Washington.
“It’s the location that, when we do surveys, is the most acceptable,” Harris said. “That doesn’t mean that there’s not a lot of support in Maryland, a lot of support in Virginia. There is, but obviously, D.C. is kind of aligned with the history and happens to be the easiest place to get to for the most number of fans.”
And NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said the move could be “a huge economic driver” and “would be great for our nation.”
But in the meantime, Washington is navigating its 2026 fiscal budget, which Bowser said is complete. Congress created uncertainty for the rest of the district’s fiscal 2025 budget with its recently passed continuing resolution creating a $1 billion shortfall.
In the proposed deal to move the Commanders back to Washington, the franchise would reportedly put up $2.5 billion, and Washington would chip in $850 million, though those numbers could change. A “capital budget,” which uses public funds, would provide the funds for the city, which is different from its operating budget.
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However, D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson said he is not in favor of public funds helping pay for the stadium. He chastised Bowser for not keeping the council “informed” on her talks with the Commanders.
“I find it disturbing that the mayor believes a unilateral approach is the best course, especially when ultimately the council has to give approval,” he said.
