Preparations for the demolition of RFK Stadium began on January 13, with full demolition set to begin later this month.

A lengthy process that will take several months

The removal of hazardous materials and the selective demolition of the stadium’s interior elements have already been completed. Over the past few months, the National Park Service (NPS) and Events DC finalized the regulatory requirements for the demolition of RFK Stadium. As a result, NPS issued an authorization letter to Events DC, permitting them to proceed with the project and begin demolition work. Demolition is planned to start by the end of January. The initial demolition work will primarily be limited to certain internal sections of the stadium and the removal of parts of the exterior cladding.

This has been a long-planned, discussed, and approved process. It will be a selective demolition, meaning there won’t be a large implosion. The process will take many, many months. You’ll start to see construction equipment and materials on-site, said Mayor Muriel Bowser during a recent press conference.

© Stadiontour.at | Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium

Will a new stadium for the Washington Commanders be built on the same site?

If a new stadium is indeed built on this site, Mayor Bowser will have to negotiate an agreement with the Washington Commanders, and the plan will need to be approved by the District of Columbia Council. Councilmember Zachary Parker, who represents Ward 5, which borders the former stadium site, told 7News that it would be crucial for future projects to include housing and commercial spaces.

Currently, the Commanders play their home games at the Nortwest Stadiumin Prince George’s County, Maryland, but they may leave the facility after the 2027 season. Since the team owns the land where the Maryland stadium is located, they have the option to build a new stadium if they wish and continue renewing their agreements to play there after 2027. However, former Councilmember Jack Evans stated that now is the right time for the team to move to the District.

Funding discussions are ongoing

Evans played a key role when the city last dealt with relocating the team and negotiating a deal for a new stadium. He was on the city council when 100% public funding for Nationals Park was approved, but he told 7News that he doesn't believe the new NFL stadium will require the same level of commitment. This will be a more complicated financial transaction, Evans said. The stadium will likely cost $2.5 billion, so how do you structure financing to support that?

© Staff Sgt. Patrick Evenson | Northwest Stadium

For example, Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, the newest NFL stadium requiring public funding, received 40% of its construction costs from public funds, amounting to $760 million. However, Parker, who was mentioned earlier, said he does not support using taxpayer money for a new stadium. I think it would be difficult to justify any amount spent on a stadium when residents east of the river don’t have access to fresh food and lack key resources, he said, proposing innovative ways to collaborate with the private sector and the government on financing the investment.

Will taxpayers approve such an expense?

The NFL may contribute up to $300 million to the construction of a new stadium, but only if the remaining amount is covered by the interested team and taxpayers. Supporters of a new stadium, even if funded by taxpayer money, pointed to a study published in June 2024 by the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development in D.C., which estimated that an NFL team in the city would generate $1.26 billion annually, create 2,095 jobs, and generate $26 million in tax revenue. Regardless of the financing model chosen for the potential stadium, Evans said the Commanders' recent successes may help city leaders and taxpayers swallow the cost.