Where do the Commanders play? Washington gets approval for brand-new stadium in D.C. to open in 2030

The Commanders are getting a new stadium. The football franchise heralded from our nation's capital has been approved to build a new stadium that will bring the team back to D.C. 

Washington currently plays its games at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland, which is about 11.5 miles outside of D.C. The franchise has been under new ownership and one of the main hopes for this new era is to get the team back into the city for its fans. The Commanders organization is also looking at possibly changing names again, but will be sticking with Commanders for now. 

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Here is more on where the Commanders play now, and information on where/when they will have a new stadium. 

Where do the Commanders play?

The Commanders currently play at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland. It has been home to the Washington franchise since 1997. It was known as FedEx Field from 1999-2024.

The company lost the naming rights in 2024, and the field was briefly known as Commanders Field. Northwest Federal Credit Union bought the naming rights later that season. 

When will the Commanders move to D.C.?

The proposed move to D.C. is projected for 2030. This will be a major undertaking for the metropolis, so a number of things can happen that will delay the construction of the stadium or getting it to a point where it can host an NFL game.

Early renderings of the stadium include a glass roof and a direct view of the Capitol building. The franchise currently has a contract with Northwest Stadium that runs through 2027, and the two parties will likely work out a short-term deal to carry over until the new stadium is ready. 

NEW: Rendering of the new RFK Stadium with a glass roof and views of the US Capitol. Timeline to open stadium in 2030. pic.twitter.com/ZJOLUf3ecy

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Why are the Commanders moving?

The move comes from the support of both the new owners of the football franchise and the mayor of Washington, D.C.

An ownership group led by Josh Harris purchased the franchise from Dan Snyder in 2023. Upon taking over the team, the hope was to improve the roster to make the team more relevant and to build a new stadium in D.C. to bring the team home. 

Where is RFK Stadium?

The Commanders won't have to try to find a location for the stadium, and instead will be finally renovating part of its own history.

The chosen spot for the stadium will be on the land of the old RFK Stadium. The Commanders called this stadium home from 1961-1996. It was demolished in 2023. Harris talked about the deal getting approved and what it means to move the franchise back to the D.C. area. 

"Today is a defining moment for the DMV and the Washington Commanders. RFK Stadium holds a legendary place in our history – it's where the team dominated the NFL, capturing three Super Bowls and creating unforgettable memories for fans. Now, we have the opportunity to honor that legacy by building a new world-class stadium – one that is also a once-in-a-generation catalyst for uplifting and transforming our region. 

Working hand-in-hand with District and community leaders, we're focused on delivering an incredible home for our players and fans, creating a landmark venue that reflects the pride of our nation's capital, and sparking a new era of economic opportunity across the DMV. RFK was once a place our fans loved, and opponents feared – we're determined to make it that way again."