Washington is preparing for one of the largest stadium projects in NFL history. The covered venue on the former RFK Stadium site is set to combine sport, architecture and urban development, becoming a new reference point for the city and the league.

A covered NFL stadium in Washington with 70,000 seats

The planned stadium for the Washington Commanders will accommodate more than 70,000 spectators and will be designed not only for NFL games, but also for concerts, cultural events, and community initiatives throughout the year. A key architectural feature is the transparent, sculpted domed roof, which will provide natural daylight inside the venue and give the stadium its distinctive silhouette.

HKS was selected as the lead architect in November and has since been developing the concept in close cooperation with the club. The firm’s portfolio includes some of the world’s most recognizable stadiums, such as SoFi Stadium, U.S. Bank Stadium, and AT&T Stadium. The new Commanders stadium is intended to join this elite group of iconic venues.

Architecture inspired by the legacy of RFK Stadium

The new venue will be built on the site of the former RFK Stadium, a location deeply rooted in the history of both the city and the club. The design follows the L’Enfant Plan and the Monumental Axis, meaning that the stadium’s massing has been deliberately lowered along the east–west axis so as not to visually compete with the Capitol and the national monuments.

The project emphasizes openness and spatial continuity, referencing the character of the legendary RFK Stadium. A defining feature will be a continuous colonnade, linking the public spaces surrounding the stadium with its interior and reinforcing the venue’s role as an urban gathering point.

© HKS | HKS and the Washington Commanders released the first visualisations of the stadium today.

The stadium as a catalyst for a new mixed-use district

The new stadium is intended to serve as a catalyst for mixed-use development in the surrounding area. The plan assumes that at least 30% of the entire site will be dedicated to active and passive recreation. Urban plazas, public spaces, green areas, and pedestrian routes connecting the stadium with the Anacostia River waterfront will be created around the venue.

From the outset, the project has been developed with community involvement. HKS, the authorities of the District of Columbia, and the club are holding consultation meetings with local residents to incorporate public feedback into the evolving concept. Further rounds of consultations are scheduled through the end of January.

Investment cost and construction timeline of the Commanders stadium

The total cost of the stadium project and the accompanying development amounts to $3.65 billion, of which $2.5 billion will be covered by the club. The investment was approved by the Washington City Council in September last year. Construction is scheduled to begin in spring 2027, with the official opening planned for 2030.

© HKS | The new venue will be built on the site of the former RFK Stadium, a location deeply rooted in the history of both the city and the club.