First Renderings Unveiled for Proposed Washington Commanders Stadium

The Washington Commanders and design firm HKS have unveiled the first conceptual renderings of the team’s new roofed stadium, which will be used for sports, entertainment and community engagement.

HKS, which has a portfolio of venues that includes SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn., and AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, was selected as the lead architect in November and has developed the initial round of visuals in collaboration with the Commanders.

Due to be completed by 2030, the proposed New Commanders Stadium is expected to accommodate up to 70,000 people.

“We are proud to share the first visuals of our future stadium, a defining milestone in the next phase of the development process,” said Mark Clouse, president of the Washington Commanders. “This moment underscores the strength of our partnership with HKS, whose thoughtful, forward-looking approach has helped us shape a concept that is worthy of its extraordinary site along DC’s Monumental Axis and truly embodies the spirit and character of the District.

“From the beginning, our focus has been on delivering a best-in-class experience for Commanders fans while honoring the legacy of RFK Stadium and our team. We’re designing a stadium that amplifies the energy of football, supports year-round events and becomes a place the community can be proud of.”

“HKS is honored to work on one of the world’s most extraordinary sports and entertainment sites, and this project calls for an equally extraordinary response,” said Mark A. Williams, FAIA, HKS global venues director. “Every design decision is guided by the significance of place – shaped by its local, regional and national history and generations of memories rooted in RFK Stadium.”

Proposed Stadium Features

Located on the former RFK Stadium site and aligned with the L’Enfant Plan, the project will expand the existing waterfront and park experience while enhancing the surrounding recreational network through new outdoor plazas, public spaces and green areas.

Designed to link the city’s historic core with the Anacostia River and neighboring landscapes, the stadium will feature a sculpted, transparent domed roof and draw inspiration from the legacy of RFK Stadium, which is currently in the process of being demolished.

In collaboration with the District of Columbia and the Commanders, HKS participated in a series of community engagement sessions to inform the evolving design through input from local leaders and residents, with additional meetings planned this month.

The Commanders currently play at the 64,000-capacity Northwest Stadium in Landover, Md., which opened in 1997.