Washington Commanders to relocate back to DC with new stadium under exciting agreement

Time of India

28-04-2025

The
Washington Commanders
are set to make a significant return to their roots. After almost three decades of playing in Landover, Maryland, the team has announced plans to build a new stadium in the heart of Washington, D.C.,
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on the historic site of
RFK Memorial Stadium
. The announcement was made on Monday through a video narrated by legendary former quarterback Joe Theismann, which was shared across social media platforms.
Washington Commanders to return to D.C. with new stadium plans
The proposed location is not just a strategic move but a nostalgic one, as RFK Memorial Stadium was the home of the Commanders (formerly the Washington Redskins) from 1961 to 1996. Situated just two miles east of the U.S.
Capitol, the stadium's return to D.C. will bring the franchise closer to its fan base and the city it represents.
"Let's bring the Commanders home," Theismann urges in the video, encapsulating the excitement that fans have felt for years about the possibility of the team returning to D.C. "Let's bring Washington back to D.C."
This dream became tangible earlier this year when former President Joe Biden signed a bill that transferred ownership of the land from the federal government to the city of D.C.
for a 99-year lease. Both team owner Josh Harris and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell played a pivotal role in lobbying for this land transfer, which laid the foundation for the stadium's development.
While this marks a major milestone for the team, the project still has some hurdles to overcome. The Commanders' plans require approval from the D.C. Council, and significant funding is needed. The cost of the new stadium is estimated to exceed $3 billion, a price tag that has raised concerns among local politicians.
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D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson has voiced his opposition, stating that taxpayer money should not be used to fund the stadium. "My position has been that there should not be public dollars – the D.C. treasury should not be paying toward a stadium," he told the Washington Post.
Despite these concerns, the Commanders are determined to move forward. The ownership group, led by Josh Harris, has made it clear that building a new stadium by 2030 is one of their key objectives.
The team currently has a lease with Maryland to play at the FedEx Field (formerly Northwest Field) until 2027, with the option to extend the agreement until the new stadium is ready.
RFK Memorial Stadium holds significant sentimental value for the Commanders' fan base. The team achieved remarkable success at this stadium, winning three Super Bowls (1983, 1988, 1992) and appearing in two others (1973, 1984). For many long-time fans, the idea of the Commanders returning to the stadium where they enjoyed so much glory is a dream come true.
Moreover, the convenience of a D.C.-based stadium is likely to be a big draw for fans who find traveling to Landover less accessible.
The timing of this announcement also coincides with a promising period in the team's history. The Commanders finished the 2024 season with a 12-5 record, their best since 1991. Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels has shown immense potential, leading the team to the NFC Championship game, where they were narrowly defeated by the eventual Super Bowl champions, the Philadelphia Eagles.
With such a strong roster and the prospect of a new stadium on the horizon, the future looks bright for Washington's beloved football team.
As the city of Washington, D.C., and the Commanders move closer to finalizing this monumental project, the return to RFK Stadium is poised to become a symbol of the team's resurgence both on and off the field. Fans eagerly await the day when their team will once again call D.C. home, igniting a new era of success and excitement.
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