The Washington Commanders are nearing a return to the District after playing more than 25 seasons in Maryland.
The franchise is reportedly close to an agreement with D.C. officials to build a new football stadium on the site of the old RFK Stadium, NBC4 reported on Wednesday.
One source familiar with the negotiations told The Washington Times that a deal had not been finalized. They also noted that the financial details from the report — which said the Commanders would contribute $2.5 billion to a $3 billion stadium project — appeared outdated.
The Commanders refused to comment on the report.
“In the coming days, we will share more on our growth agenda by highlighting our next budget to grow DC and outlining a plan to realize abundant opportunities at our RFK as we forge ahead with shaping DC’s future economy,” the mayor’s office said in a statement.
News about a new stadium had slowed in recent weeks as federal lawmakers slashed $1 billion out of the city’s budget in the middle of the fiscal year, forcing Bowser to revamp her budget proposal for fiscal 2026.
Commanders owner Josh Harris has said he hopes to open a new stadium before the 2030 NFL season. The Commanders own their current home — Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland — though their lease expires in 2027.
Bowser has advocated for the franchise to return to the city for years, while Maryland officials have urged the team to build a new home near its current stadium in Landover.
The Commanders have played their home games in Landover since vacating RFK Stadium after the 1996 season.
Northwest Stadium is widely considered one of the worst venues in the NFL. Critics point out its lack of character, aging infrastructure and inconvenient location about one mile from the nearest Metro station.
Its lackluster reputation further deteriorated when a pipe leaked water onto the seats in 2021. Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts called on the NFL to intervene after a railing collapsed near the visitors’ tunnel, causing several fans to fall onto the field.
Harris inherited the stadium from former owner Dan Snyder when he bought the Commanders in 2023. The ownership group has spent millions of dollars renovating the site with new suites and amenities.
Despite the investments, Harris said in February that finding a new stadium would be a priority for the franchise this offseason.
Residents in Kingman Park, the neighborhood surrounding the RFK Stadium site, have voiced their opposition to a new stadium for more than a year. They have expressed concerns about traffic and said they’d rather the site be used for affordable housing, grocery stores and green space.
Activists with the “Homes Not Stadiums” group have said they’re looking to force a ballot measure that would allow D.C. residents to vote on any stadium proposal.
