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The Washington commanders received the final approval of the DC Council to start building a new stadium at the RFK stadium site.
It was a long process to reach this point, but the DC council voted 11-2 on Wednesday to approve the $ 3.8 billion stadium project.
The commanders will return to DC after playing almost 30 years in Landover, Maryland, in what is now called Northwest Stadium.
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The owner of the Washington commanders, Josh Harris, Center, receives a helmet to sign with the mayor of the district of Columbia, Muriel Bowser, on the right, after announcing a new home for the NFL football team at the site of the old RFK Stadium on April 28, 2025, at the National Press Club in Washington. (Jacquelyn Martin, File/Ap Photo)
“Today is a historic day for DC, the organization of commanders and our fans,” said commanders Josh Harris in a statement published on social networks. “With the approval of the Council, we can now advance in the RFK transformative project that will bring lasting economic growth for our city.
“This achievement would not have been possible without the dedication of Mayor Bowser, President Mendelson, the Council and the innumerable community, commercial and labor leaders whose voices and contributions helped shape the process in each step of the road.
“We are deeply grateful for the warm return to the district and the center of the DMV and we hope to officially take the team to its spiritual home in 2030”.
The commanders had expressed concern about the vote after “new demands of the last minute” of the DC Council, according to a letter from the president of the Mark Clouse. However, most proposed amendments were rejected during Wednesday's session.
The hopes of the DC stadium of the commanders take a step forward in the midst of Trump's nickname pressure
Washington hopes to have its new and open stadium by 2030.
The search for the commanders to play at the old RFK stadium site took a big step last month when the DC Council initially approved the bill in a 9-3 vote. The legislation required a second approval before advancing to the mayor of Washington, Muriel Bowser, who has supported the command plan.
Harris and his group of owners had considered multiple sites in Washington, Maryland and Virginia before pursuing the RFK location. The city obtained the control of the land earlier this year after Congress approved legislation signed by President Joe Biden in January.
(LR) The Corridor of the Hall of Fame John Riggins, former Campo Doug Williams Marshal RFK Stadium on April 28, 2025, at the National Press Club in Washington. (Photo of Jacquelyn Martin/AP)
In April, Harris, Bowser's commissioner and the NFL, Roger Goodell, announced an agreement with DC officials at the RFK stadium site. They also met with President Donald Trump at the Oval office for a celebration. The $ 3.8 billion reurbanization project includes 6,000 housing units, retail space and parks in addition to the new place.
However, the process hit a problem in July when Trump opposed the refusal of the team to return to his former name of Redskins.
“I can put a restriction on them that if they do not change the name to the 'Washington Redskins'', and getting rid of the ridiculous nickname, 'Washington commanders', I will not make a deal to build a stadium in Washington. The team would be much more valuable, and the agreement would be more exciting for everyone,” he wrote in the social truth.
Trump also criticized the name of the team during his announcement by restoring the presidential aptitude test.
“I don't even know what the hell is his last name,” Trump said. “Are they commanders or something? Are they commanders? Commanders, isn't it a good name.”
The owner Josh Harris, of the Washington commanders, before a match against the Green Bay Packers in Lambeau Field on September 11, 2025, in Green Bay, Wis. (Michael Reaves/Getty images)
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Harris has been firm in saying that the name of the team will continue advancing.
The RFK stadium, named for Robert F. Kennedy, closed in September 2019 after the opening in October 1961. It was the home of the Redskins of 1961-96, the Washington senators of MLB of MLB of 1962-71 and DC of MLS United of 1996-2017, among other teams.
Ryan Gaydos of Fox News and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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