The Commanders are making a triumphant return to their roots in Washington, D.C., marking a significant new chapter in the franchise’s storied history. An accord between the team and the District of Columbia government has cleared the path for a brand-new stadium to rise on the site of the old RFK Stadium, a hallowed ground where the franchise thrived for over three decades.
Mayor Muriel Bowser announced the development on Monday, sharing an optimistic vision for the future of football in the city. The deal, still pending approval from the D.C. City Council, symbolizes a collective desire to restore the Commanders to their rightful place in the heart of the nation’s capital. In a compelling video narrated by none other than Super Bowl-winning quarterback Joe Theismann, the nostalgia was palpable as he reminisced about the electric atmosphere of RFK Stadium. “The time is now,” he declared, urging the community to rally around this opportunity to bring football back where it belongs.
As excitement builds, fans are eager to learn more about the specifics of the deal, particularly regarding timing and funding, which are expected to be unveiled soon. Mayor Bowser, along with Commanders officials, has scheduled a news conference set for 11 a.m. EDT, promising to shed light on what the future holds.
This move comes after Commanders’ ownership, led by Josh Harris, navigated various possibilities in Washington, Maryland, and Virginia since acquiring the team from Dan Snyder in 2022. The recent momentum gained when Congress passed a bill transferring the RFK land to D.C., signed by former President Joe Biden in January, underlines the collaborative efforts that have propelled this project forward, with backing from Harris and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.
The Commanders have called Landover, Maryland, home since their relocation in 1997, with their current lease at Northwest Stadium extending through 2027. Harris has optimistically tagged 2030 as a “reasonable target” for the new stadium’s completion, hinting at a future brimming with promise.
For a generation of fans who remember the glory days from 1961 to 1996, when the Commanders secured three Super Bowl championships, the nostalgia for RFK Stadium runs deep. With Harris and his co-owners, including Mitch Rales and Mark Ein, all having grown up in the shadow of those legendary football moments, this is more than just a new stadium—it’s a homecoming for a franchise and its devoted supporters ready to embrace the next chapter.
The anticipation is palpable, and as the pieces come together, Commanders fans can finally look forward to a future that reconnects the heart of Washington with a beloved football franchise. The journey to a new era is just beginning.
